Great article.
http://www.fosters.com/article/20160410/NEWS/160419950
Domestic violence survivors deserve better court model
By Crystal Paradis
Posted Apr 10, 2016 at 3:15 AM
Updated at 11:00 AM
My sister was lucky when her husband tried to kill her 18 months ago. As crazy as that sounds, it’s true. That attack against her life gave her courage to finally call for help and escape nearly two decades of abuse. Hearing this story devastated us, her loving family who suspected for decades but hoped it was just our imagination, but it also made us whole again by allowing us back into her life.
Before escaping through a window, she tried to calm her kids, my 11-year-old niece and screaming, crying 6-year-old nephew, who had just witnessed his father strangling his mother. “Who knew your own dad could turn out to be a bad guy?” he asked. As she waited outside in the freezing cold Grafton night, hiding in the dark in her pajamas, for the one and half hours it took the police to arrive after she called for help, safety seemed so far away.
After a nightmare of months on the run, moving with her kids from one safe house to another, my sister was also luckier than many survivors of domestic violence to hear her abuser proclaimed “guilty” on several counts in a courtroom, further validating her choice to finally escape and save her family from a monster.
But as anyone who’s been through a court case involving family violence can tell you, the story doesn’t end with the criminal verdict. Her attacker will likely be going to jail, but he’s still a free man throughout the sentencing and appeal process. Another year or more of hiding from the man who promised to kill her if she ever told.
With the next hearing came another judge, to decide if and how often she’d have to bring her kids to see a man that terrified them all. She was warned that supervised visitation was the most likely ruling, and was the best order she could hope for. Although she still feared for her life and the safety of her children, asking for no visitation at all was likely to get her branded as an “unreasonable” parent, and risked the judge awarding unsupervised visitation.
Just like that, she was pushed back into a compromise of keeping her kids at risk to avoid a potentially more serious and deadly consequence. This is how our court systems re-victimize survivors of domestic violence, every day.
In domestic violence cases, there are usually at least two judges involved, sometimes three. The criminal judge oversees the criminal elements of the case including orders of protection/restraining orders, charges of violent behavior, etc.; their driving motivation is typically perpetrator accountability and victim safety. The family court judge oversees matters of custody and visitation; their driving motivation is typically ensuring equal access to children, if it can be done safely. If Child Protective Services gets involved, there can be a third judge whose focus is typically on child safety and best interests.
These disparate motivating factors and separation of access to various case specifics often results in frustrating rulings. These fractures in our court systems are leaving victims unsafe and children exposed to potential harm.
My fierce niece sits outside the visitation room every week, refusing to see the man who hurt her mother. My nephew enters hesitantly, looking for the good-behavior version of his dad, trying to figure out the answer to the question he asked the night of his father’s last attack: Who knew your own dad could turn out to be a bad guy?
It’s overwhelming for already traumatized victims to go through our court systems. Those who feel completely unsafe by court mandates abandon trust in the system and flee, with or without their children. This, in turn, can result in charges against them for either kidnapping or child abandonment. It’s a lose-lose scenario for these survivors, even after they reach out to ask for help.
About a third of all reported violent crimes are cases of family violence. It is a significant enough problem to warrant its own process. And in some courts, that’s exactly what is happening.
In Portland, Oregon, family courts look very different. They follow a “One Family/One Judge” model where a single judge, familiar with the unique challenges of families and children exposed to domestic violence, is presented with all relevant information pertaining to a family. That one judge is empowered to make a timely ruling, weighing the safety and best interests of all parties.
Portland is one of four cities selected for participation in the Family Court Enhancement Project, a collaborative project of the Office of Violence Against Women, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Battered Women’s Justice Project and the National Institute for Justice. These courts are pioneering new approaches in making custody decisions.
According to a press release announcing the project, it seeks to address “concerns from domestic violence survivors, advocates, and court staff that family courts are struggling to adequately consider the physical and emotional safety of children (and their parents) in child custody cases where domestic violence is present.” This is just one initiative of domestic violence court reform.
Several other courts and lead judges have adopted the NCJFCJ’s Project ONE approach, a holistic multi-court collaborative model that puts the family at the center to achieve best outcomes. The key principles of Project ONE include: One Family-One Judge; just and timely decisions; respect; collaboration; system accountability; victim safety and empowerment. This is what it looks like to rebuild a broken system.
Other communities are calling for and creating, a better way. New Hampshire children and families deserve a better way, too. Let’s look at what is working in other communities and ask for help in bringing their successes home to our own courts. It will take those directly affected by the failings of the system and the support of people outside of this traumatic cycle to step up, speak up and lift up our brave survivors.
When I hug my sister now, I do it tightly, trying in some way to keep her safe.
When I hug my niece and nephew, I do it gingerly, as if they might break. But I know that they are stronger than all of us. And when they get around to ruling the world, I have no doubt they’ll do it better than we ever did. Until then, we’re all waiting on the courts.
Crystal Paradis is a writer, feminist, marketing professional and serial community organizer. She lives and works in Portsmouth and can be reached at cfparadis@gmail.com.
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Convicted child abuser dad still retains visitation rights, so he beats 3-year-old son again (Bedford, Oregon)
Key words here: "returned this 3-year-old son to his mother." In other words, this is a custody/visitation situation.
So why was a father allowed to have contact with the same child he once slammed into a wall as an infant? Was it the mother's idea? Doesn't seem likely, as she has not been arrested for failure to protect or allowing this father to have access in violation of a court order. So it seems very likely that this is COURT-ORDERED custody/visitation, though of course this article refuses to clarify the matter. Who put this child back in danger? We need to see the names and they need to be held accountable.
Dad is identified as CARY ALBRIGHT.
http://wjactv.com/news/local/bedford-county-man-a-repeat-offender-of-child-abuse
Bedford County man a repeat offender of child abuse
By WJAC Web Staff |Friday, March 11th 2016
BEDFORD -- For the second time in as many years, a Bedford County man has been found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child.
Cary Albright, 33, of Osterburg, was found guilty Thursday night after a day of testimony.
The most recent charges occurred after Memorial Day 2015 when Albright returned his 3-year-old son to the mother.
According to a release from the Bedford County District Bill Higgins, the mother discovered the child had been beaten.
The child had injuries that included large bruises on both sides of the face and red marks around his neck, with black and blue bruising around other areas.
The release said the child was told by his father to say that he had fallen, but later admitted that "his daddy did this to me."
In 2012, police responded to a domestic violence incident in which Albright allegedly slammed the same child's head into a wall while attempting to flee the scene.
Two years later, a jury convicted Albright of endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest.
He was sentenced to 11 months in jail. Albright is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6 and will remain in jail on retainer until sentencing.
He remains in the Bedford County Jail on a parole violation detainer.
So why was a father allowed to have contact with the same child he once slammed into a wall as an infant? Was it the mother's idea? Doesn't seem likely, as she has not been arrested for failure to protect or allowing this father to have access in violation of a court order. So it seems very likely that this is COURT-ORDERED custody/visitation, though of course this article refuses to clarify the matter. Who put this child back in danger? We need to see the names and they need to be held accountable.
Dad is identified as CARY ALBRIGHT.
http://wjactv.com/news/local/bedford-county-man-a-repeat-offender-of-child-abuse
Bedford County man a repeat offender of child abuse
By WJAC Web Staff |Friday, March 11th 2016
BEDFORD -- For the second time in as many years, a Bedford County man has been found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child.
Cary Albright, 33, of Osterburg, was found guilty Thursday night after a day of testimony.
The most recent charges occurred after Memorial Day 2015 when Albright returned his 3-year-old son to the mother.
According to a release from the Bedford County District Bill Higgins, the mother discovered the child had been beaten.
The child had injuries that included large bruises on both sides of the face and red marks around his neck, with black and blue bruising around other areas.
The release said the child was told by his father to say that he had fallen, but later admitted that "his daddy did this to me."
In 2012, police responded to a domestic violence incident in which Albright allegedly slammed the same child's head into a wall while attempting to flee the scene.
Two years later, a jury convicted Albright of endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest.
He was sentenced to 11 months in jail. Albright is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6 and will remain in jail on retainer until sentencing.
He remains in the Bedford County Jail on a parole violation detainer.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
"Caretaker" dad causes "devastating" brain bleed in 3-month-old son, charged with 1st-degree assault (Portland, Oregon)
Fathers rights folks and gender neutral feminists like you to think that "primary caregiver" dads are just as good as moms, if not better. The evidence does not bear this out.
Very often, these men are short-tempered, abusive personalities who can not/will not hold a full-time job. Notice that dad AWES SHEIKHUNA appear to provide all the daytime caregiving while his girlfriend, who, interestingly enough, declines to live with him, works full time. As too often happens, Daddy gets "frustrated" by the emotional demands of infant caregiving, and disaster ensues.
The baby's injuries are described as life threatening....
http://koin.com/2015/06/25/police-father-caused-infants-devastating-brain-bleed/
Police: Father caused infant’s ‘devastating’ brain bleed
Police: Awes Sheikhuna caused “devastating" brain injury to his 3-month-old son
By Brent Weisberg and KOIN 6 News staff
Published: June 25, 2015, 5:11 pm | Updated: June 25, 2015, 5:57 pm
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Just hours before a 3-month old boy was rushed to the hospital with “devastating” injuries, a pediatrician described the boy as alert and happy, police said.
Awes Sheikhuna, 28, was arrested shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday at Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct after he turned himself in. He was booked into Multnomah County Detention Center a short time later.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Multi-Disciplinary Child Abuse Team filed charges of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment against Sheikhuna.
According to an arrest affidavit written by Portland Police Detective Erica Hurley, paramedics were called to an apartment complex in the 6700 block of Southwest 26th Avenue on June 15 when Sheikhuna called 911 after his three-month-old son became unresponsive.
Boy’s injuries described as ‘devastating’
The child remains at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University “with significant brain injuries,” Hurley wrote. According to child abuse specialist, the boy’s injuries were diagnosed as “non-accidental trauma.” Dr. Tom Valvano told police the boy has “devastating” brain injuries and that he may die as a result of them.
“Dr. Valvano stated if (the boy) survived the brain injury that he would likely be permanently disabled,” Hurley wrote.
When doctors examined the boy at OHSU, they discovered he had “multiple bleeds to his brain and a spinal injury,” according to documents.
The injured boy has a brother, police said. Sheikhuna told police the boys’ mother is his girlfriend and they have been dating for 2 years, according to court documents. The girlfriend told police while they are not legally married, they are married “in the eyes of God,” Hurley wrote. Sheikhuna and his girlfriend reportedly do not live together.
The mother told police Sheikhuna comes over to her apartment to watch his sons while she works. On the day of the alleged assault, Sheikhuna arrived to watch the children and take them to the doctor’s office. She left the apartment around 2 p.m. on June 15, police said. Sheikhuna told police he made the appointment because both children reportedly had the flu, Hurley wrote. Sheikhuna reportedly told police that the children had been sick for “1-2 weeks”.
Boy described as ‘alert, happy’ by doctor
Sheikhuna and the children went to the doctor’s office around 3:30 p.m June 15, police said. The pediatrician noted the alleged victim “was alert, happy and easily consoled,” Hurley wrote. The doctor reported that the boy did not cry. “The physical exam was remarkable only for nasal congestion,” Hurley wrote regarding the doctor’s exam.
Shortly before 4 p.m. Sheikhuna returned to the apartment, police said. He called the mother of the children and told her “the doctor said nothing was wrong (with the boy),” Hurley wrote. But Sheikhuna reportedly claimed that the boy would not stop crying.
The boy’s mother got another call from Sheikhuna while she was at work, police said. Sheikhuna “told her something was wrong (with the boy),” Hurley wrote.
Sheikhuna told police while in the apartment, the boy continued to cry, court documents state. When police asked Sheikhuna about his actions, he told them he was “carrying (the boy) around and stroking his head to try to get (the boy) to stop crying but it didn’t work,” Hurley wrote. Sheikhuna reportedly said he gave the child liquid ibuprofen and some other liquid medication he purchased at a local market that “supposedly treats stomach ailments.”
Father ‘afraid’ when calling 911, doesn’t perform CPR
Sheikhuna told police to get his son to stop crying, he put the boy in a swing inside the living room, court documents state. He reportedly went to check on the boy after noticing the boy “got quiet”. Sheikhuna said the boy sounded like he was choking, so he then put water on him to get the boy to breath. At that point, he called 911 and was told by an emergency dispatcher to start performing first aid. Records show the 911 call was placed at 6:11 p.m. on June 15.
Sheikhuna “was afraid he would hurt (the boy) so he did not do CPR,” Hurley wrote. #Detectives Hurley and Nathan Tobey, both assigned to the Multnomah County Child Abuse Team, interviewed Sheikhuna at OHSU. Homicide Detective Erik Kammerer assisted, given the nature of the child’s life-threatening injuries. The interview was translated by Portland Police Officer Khalid Ibrahim who speaks Somali, court documents state.
Sheikhuna told the detectives and officer he didn’t do anything before the child started becoming symptomatic. He admitted there were no falls or accidents before the child was injured, court documents state. #“Sheikhuna said he does not know what caused (the boy’s) injuries,” Hurley wrote.
He told the investigators he was the only person supervising the children in the afternoon when the injuries occurred, court documents state. Sheikhuna told the detectives and officer he was not frustrated by the crying of the two boys.
Detectives have seized Sheikhuna and his girlfriend’s cellphones as part of the investigation. They have obtained warrants to analyze the phones, court documents show.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the Multnomah County Justice Center. His bail has been set at $255,000.
Very often, these men are short-tempered, abusive personalities who can not/will not hold a full-time job. Notice that dad AWES SHEIKHUNA appear to provide all the daytime caregiving while his girlfriend, who, interestingly enough, declines to live with him, works full time. As too often happens, Daddy gets "frustrated" by the emotional demands of infant caregiving, and disaster ensues.
The baby's injuries are described as life threatening....
http://koin.com/2015/06/25/police-father-caused-infants-devastating-brain-bleed/
Police: Father caused infant’s ‘devastating’ brain bleed
Police: Awes Sheikhuna caused “devastating" brain injury to his 3-month-old son
By Brent Weisberg and KOIN 6 News staff
Published: June 25, 2015, 5:11 pm | Updated: June 25, 2015, 5:57 pm
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Just hours before a 3-month old boy was rushed to the hospital with “devastating” injuries, a pediatrician described the boy as alert and happy, police said.
Awes Sheikhuna, 28, was arrested shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday at Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct after he turned himself in. He was booked into Multnomah County Detention Center a short time later.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Multi-Disciplinary Child Abuse Team filed charges of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment against Sheikhuna.
According to an arrest affidavit written by Portland Police Detective Erica Hurley, paramedics were called to an apartment complex in the 6700 block of Southwest 26th Avenue on June 15 when Sheikhuna called 911 after his three-month-old son became unresponsive.
Boy’s injuries described as ‘devastating’
The child remains at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at Oregon Health & Science University “with significant brain injuries,” Hurley wrote. According to child abuse specialist, the boy’s injuries were diagnosed as “non-accidental trauma.” Dr. Tom Valvano told police the boy has “devastating” brain injuries and that he may die as a result of them.
“Dr. Valvano stated if (the boy) survived the brain injury that he would likely be permanently disabled,” Hurley wrote.
When doctors examined the boy at OHSU, they discovered he had “multiple bleeds to his brain and a spinal injury,” according to documents.
The injured boy has a brother, police said. Sheikhuna told police the boys’ mother is his girlfriend and they have been dating for 2 years, according to court documents. The girlfriend told police while they are not legally married, they are married “in the eyes of God,” Hurley wrote. Sheikhuna and his girlfriend reportedly do not live together.
The mother told police Sheikhuna comes over to her apartment to watch his sons while she works. On the day of the alleged assault, Sheikhuna arrived to watch the children and take them to the doctor’s office. She left the apartment around 2 p.m. on June 15, police said. Sheikhuna told police he made the appointment because both children reportedly had the flu, Hurley wrote. Sheikhuna reportedly told police that the children had been sick for “1-2 weeks”.
Boy described as ‘alert, happy’ by doctor
Sheikhuna and the children went to the doctor’s office around 3:30 p.m June 15, police said. The pediatrician noted the alleged victim “was alert, happy and easily consoled,” Hurley wrote. The doctor reported that the boy did not cry. “The physical exam was remarkable only for nasal congestion,” Hurley wrote regarding the doctor’s exam.
Shortly before 4 p.m. Sheikhuna returned to the apartment, police said. He called the mother of the children and told her “the doctor said nothing was wrong (with the boy),” Hurley wrote. But Sheikhuna reportedly claimed that the boy would not stop crying.
The boy’s mother got another call from Sheikhuna while she was at work, police said. Sheikhuna “told her something was wrong (with the boy),” Hurley wrote.
Sheikhuna told police while in the apartment, the boy continued to cry, court documents state. When police asked Sheikhuna about his actions, he told them he was “carrying (the boy) around and stroking his head to try to get (the boy) to stop crying but it didn’t work,” Hurley wrote. Sheikhuna reportedly said he gave the child liquid ibuprofen and some other liquid medication he purchased at a local market that “supposedly treats stomach ailments.”
Father ‘afraid’ when calling 911, doesn’t perform CPR
Sheikhuna told police to get his son to stop crying, he put the boy in a swing inside the living room, court documents state. He reportedly went to check on the boy after noticing the boy “got quiet”. Sheikhuna said the boy sounded like he was choking, so he then put water on him to get the boy to breath. At that point, he called 911 and was told by an emergency dispatcher to start performing first aid. Records show the 911 call was placed at 6:11 p.m. on June 15.
Sheikhuna “was afraid he would hurt (the boy) so he did not do CPR,” Hurley wrote. #Detectives Hurley and Nathan Tobey, both assigned to the Multnomah County Child Abuse Team, interviewed Sheikhuna at OHSU. Homicide Detective Erik Kammerer assisted, given the nature of the child’s life-threatening injuries. The interview was translated by Portland Police Officer Khalid Ibrahim who speaks Somali, court documents state.
Sheikhuna told the detectives and officer he didn’t do anything before the child started becoming symptomatic. He admitted there were no falls or accidents before the child was injured, court documents state. #“Sheikhuna said he does not know what caused (the boy’s) injuries,” Hurley wrote.
He told the investigators he was the only person supervising the children in the afternoon when the injuries occurred, court documents state. Sheikhuna told the detectives and officer he was not frustrated by the crying of the two boys.
Detectives have seized Sheikhuna and his girlfriend’s cellphones as part of the investigation. They have obtained warrants to analyze the phones, court documents show.
He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the Multnomah County Justice Center. His bail has been set at $255,000.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Dad in "custody dispute" is filmed blowing marijuana smoke into infant's mouth (Beaverton, Oregon)
Of course, it's still distinctly possible that dad CHRISTOPHER ROBERT KING will still get custody, as it doesn't appear that fathers are held to any standards at all.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/25/father-blows-pot-smoke-infant-mouth_n_6938334.html
Father Accused Of Blowing Pot Smoke In Infant's Mouth
Posted: 03/25/2015 8:55 am EDT Updated: 03/25/2015 8:59 am EDT
(Reuters) - A 22-year-old Oregon man has been arrested on suspicion of blowing marijuana smoke into his infant child's mouth in an act that was captured by a smartphone video and then turned over to police, authorities said on Tuesday.
Officers in the Portland suburb of Beaverton were called to a noisy domestic dispute on Sunday night and found Christopher Robert King arguing over custody of his three children with their mother, Beaverton Police spokesman Mike Rowe said.
After police separated the parents and returned the children to their mother's home, a family friend stepped forward with a smartphone video, Rowe said.
“The friend who provided the video told police that the smoke was from marijuana and that this was not the first time he had done this,” according to a police statement.
King, who was arrested on Monday, was being held at the Washington County Jail on felony and misdemeanor charges of applying controlled substances to a minor. A court date has not yet been scheduled, according to officials.
Although adult recreational use of marijuana will become legal under Oregon state law beginning on July 1, its use by children will remain illegal.
Rowe declined to give the ages of the children involved in the custody dispute, or to name their mother. He said police were withholding many details because of the pending investigation.
“The district attorney will probably never release the video, because minors are involved,” he said.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/25/father-blows-pot-smoke-infant-mouth_n_6938334.html
Father Accused Of Blowing Pot Smoke In Infant's Mouth
Posted: 03/25/2015 8:55 am EDT Updated: 03/25/2015 8:59 am EDT
(Reuters) - A 22-year-old Oregon man has been arrested on suspicion of blowing marijuana smoke into his infant child's mouth in an act that was captured by a smartphone video and then turned over to police, authorities said on Tuesday.
Officers in the Portland suburb of Beaverton were called to a noisy domestic dispute on Sunday night and found Christopher Robert King arguing over custody of his three children with their mother, Beaverton Police spokesman Mike Rowe said.
After police separated the parents and returned the children to their mother's home, a family friend stepped forward with a smartphone video, Rowe said.
“The friend who provided the video told police that the smoke was from marijuana and that this was not the first time he had done this,” according to a police statement.
King, who was arrested on Monday, was being held at the Washington County Jail on felony and misdemeanor charges of applying controlled substances to a minor. A court date has not yet been scheduled, according to officials.
Although adult recreational use of marijuana will become legal under Oregon state law beginning on July 1, its use by children will remain illegal.
Rowe declined to give the ages of the children involved in the custody dispute, or to name their mother. He said police were withholding many details because of the pending investigation.
“The district attorney will probably never release the video, because minors are involved,” he said.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Dad charged with assaulting 7-week-old baby (Grants Pass, Oregon)
Dad is identified as KEVIN "TONY" MCCAGE. No mention of a mother in the home.
http://www.1190kex.com/articles/portland-local-news-123543/grants-pass-man-arrested-on-child-13144082
Grants Pass Man Arrested On Child Abuse Charges
Posted Tuesday, January 13th 2015
On Friday, January 9, 2015, the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Section in Central Point was notified of an injured seven-week-old infant who had been transported to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland two days earlier with critical injuries. The infant was initially transported to Three Rivers Medical Center and after successful resuscitation efforts transferred to Doernbecher's in Portland where the child is still under medical care.
OSP Detectives in Central Point started an investigation into the incident and subsequently requested assistance from OSP Major Crimes Detectives in Portland to contact the child's father at the hospital. After being interviewed by OSP Detectives, the child's father, identified as Kevin 'Tony' McCage, age 27, was taken into custody on charges related to the child's injuries.
McCage was transported by Oregon State Police troopers to Grants Pass where he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Assault in the first degree and Criminal Mistreatment in the first degree.
http://www.1190kex.com/articles/portland-local-news-123543/grants-pass-man-arrested-on-child-13144082
Grants Pass Man Arrested On Child Abuse Charges
Posted Tuesday, January 13th 2015
On Friday, January 9, 2015, the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Section in Central Point was notified of an injured seven-week-old infant who had been transported to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland two days earlier with critical injuries. The infant was initially transported to Three Rivers Medical Center and after successful resuscitation efforts transferred to Doernbecher's in Portland where the child is still under medical care.
OSP Detectives in Central Point started an investigation into the incident and subsequently requested assistance from OSP Major Crimes Detectives in Portland to contact the child's father at the hospital. After being interviewed by OSP Detectives, the child's father, identified as Kevin 'Tony' McCage, age 27, was taken into custody on charges related to the child's injuries.
McCage was transported by Oregon State Police troopers to Grants Pass where he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Assault in the first degree and Criminal Mistreatment in the first degree.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Custodial dad convicted of murder by abuse in death of 3-year-old daughter (Clackamas County, Oregon)
An update to the killer dads and custody list. As usual the custody issues here are obscured. But previous articles have stated that dad DONALD LEE COCKRELL had "shared custody" but refused to let the daughters have any contact with their mother.
So what happens when an abusive controller has full rein? As too often happens, he basically tortures the kids. The murder victim suffered from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, and beatings.
The mother has regained custody of the surviving daughter, which suggests she is a fit mother. But at what a cost. Not explained here is why the mother was never able to regain custody or even contact while all this was going on.
Who refused to enforce even the minimums of the shared custody agreement? What authorities ignored this ongoing abuse and looked the other way? Of course, those names are omitted.
This previous post provides additional background.
http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2013/03/verdict_reached_in_trial_of_do.html
Donald Cockrell convicted of murder by abuse in death of 3-year-old daughter in Sandy
By Steve Mayes on March 01, 2013 at 1:55 PM, updated April 13, 2013 at 2:20 PM
A Clackamas County jury convicted Donald Lee Cockrell Friday of multiple counts of murder by abuse and criminal mistreatment in the death of his 3-year-old daughter, whose battered and severely malnourished body was found at Cockrell's home in Sandy.
Cockrell, who did not testify, faces at least 25 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date. The jury found him not guilty of aggravated murder, which could have brought the death penalty.
Cockrell's fiancee, Michelle Nicole Smith, testified against him as part of a plea agreement. Smith, who admitted causing some of the girl's injuries, pleaded guilty last year to murder in the girl's death and faces a minimum of 30 years in prison.
Paramedics found Alexis Marie "Lexi" Pounder dressed in zip-up pink pajamas, lying on her back, her severely underweight body layered with bruises and scrapes, on Jan. 9, 2010. Blood vessels in Lexi's eyes had burst, leaving her eyeballs red. An autopsy concluded Lexi was the victim of homicide and battered child syndrome. She died of pneumonia and dehydration.
The autopsy report detailed "dozens and dozens of injuries to her tiny, tiny body," said prosecutor Christine Landers. Smith admitted inflicting some injuries and blamed some on Cockrell.
Defense attorneys placed responsibility for the girl's death squarely on Smith. "She's very sophisticated at covering her tracks," said defense attorney Robert L. Huggins Jr. Cockrell entrusted the care of his daughers to Smith, Huggins said. "All the evidence is Michelle did it."
Landers said Cockrell tried to blame everyone except himself. He blamed Smith, the doctors who unquestioningly provided her with prescription drugs, Smith's daughter and even Lexi for having an eating disorder.
"His disregard for his child as she deteriorated was reckless and indefensible," Landers said.
Had Cockrell taken Lexi to the doctor the night before she died, she would be alive today, Landers said.
"It was the last time he failed his daughter," Landers said.
Cockrell's trial lasted nearly a month, drawing from a witness list that included dozens of detectives, doctors, family members, social workers.
Prosecutors opened the trial by sketching Lexi's short painful life.
Lexi was one of five children who lived in the blended family. Smith and Cockrell, who met in 2008, each had two children from prior relationships and had one child together. The family lived in a messy 700-square-foot mother-in-law apartment at Smith's parents' home in a rural area near Sandy.
Lexi's life was one of constant discipline and shaming. She was incontinent and always in trouble for soiling herself. When the family went to a fast food restaurant, Lexi would be the only one who didn't get a meal. She was forced to sleep on the floor or to run as a punishment.
In the days before she died, Lexi had diarrhea and dry heaves.
Jurors got their first look at Lexi Pounder as Landers showed them photos. Lexi a happy infant, as a bruised toddler, as a skinny naked body on the medical examiner's cold metal table.
Cockrell could not claim ignorance, said prosecutor Christine Landers. Lexi weighed 21 pounds when she died. At the time, her 9-month-old half sister weighed 19 pounds. "He picked up both of those girls," Landers said.
As Lexi wasted away and endured spankings and slaps that left her body tattooed with bruises, Smith had decided to part company with Cockrell. She testified that she stopped caring about him, his children and the condition of their small apartment, which one investigator decribed as "an awful mess." Meanwhile she became fixated on maintaining her supply of oxycodone and other painkillers.
Lexi's sister, Kara Pounder, also suffered, prosecutors said. She rooted around the kitchen, where the sink was piled high with dirty dishes, eating food off the floor or out of the garbage, Landers said.
Cockrell and Smith forced Kara to sleep in a small escape-proof space, wedged between a couch and a wall. Cockrell did nothing to save his children from their beatings, Landers said. He stood by while Lexi vomited so violently that the whites of her eyes turned red as blood vessels ruptured. "That is not a normal childhood illness," Landers said.
When Lexi died at the age of 3 1/2, she weighed as much as an average 15-month-old child.
She was beaten and underfed, prosecutors said, and died when her immune system collapsed and she couldn't fight off pneumonia.
When a detective interviewing Cockrell asked what happened to Lexi, "he has no explanation of why his child was dead," Landers told the jury. His answer was that "I woke up and found my daughter dead."
The defense repeatedly attacked Smith, portraying her as an unreliable, unstable woman addicted to painkillers who cut a deal to avoid a possible death sentence. "Michelle Smith's testimony has been bought and paid for," said defense attorney Jenny Cooke.
Cooke characterized Smith as drug-addled caregiver "so stoned she couldn't see straight and an incompetent witness who couldn't remember much beyond "Donnie did it."
Cooke said torture and mistreatment did not kill Lexi Pounder; the girl was ill and developed a pneumonia that took her life. The child had been losing weight but that wasn't apparent to Cockrell, Cooke said. Some bruises and abrasions were caused by routine childhood accidents or by one of Smith's children jumping on Lexi's head, Cooke said.
"There is no evidence anyone subjected Alexis Pounder to torture" or that Cockrell withheld food or knew the girl required immediate medical care, Cooke said. "She did not die of blunt force trauma" and her injuries did not cause her death, Cooke said.
Landers summarized Cockrell's defense as "I never took care of my children. How could I know" Lexi was in such fragile condition.
"Because of the way she looked," Landers said. "Seventy five bruises on her tiny little body."
The remaining children have been placed with relatives. Lexi's mother, Heather Pounder, has custody Lexi's sister, Kara. Michelle Smith's parents have custody of the other three children.
So what happens when an abusive controller has full rein? As too often happens, he basically tortures the kids. The murder victim suffered from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, and beatings.
The mother has regained custody of the surviving daughter, which suggests she is a fit mother. But at what a cost. Not explained here is why the mother was never able to regain custody or even contact while all this was going on.
Who refused to enforce even the minimums of the shared custody agreement? What authorities ignored this ongoing abuse and looked the other way? Of course, those names are omitted.
This previous post provides additional background.
http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2013/03/verdict_reached_in_trial_of_do.html
Donald Cockrell convicted of murder by abuse in death of 3-year-old daughter in Sandy
By Steve Mayes on March 01, 2013 at 1:55 PM, updated April 13, 2013 at 2:20 PM
A Clackamas County jury convicted Donald Lee Cockrell Friday of multiple counts of murder by abuse and criminal mistreatment in the death of his 3-year-old daughter, whose battered and severely malnourished body was found at Cockrell's home in Sandy.
Cockrell, who did not testify, faces at least 25 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date. The jury found him not guilty of aggravated murder, which could have brought the death penalty.
Cockrell's fiancee, Michelle Nicole Smith, testified against him as part of a plea agreement. Smith, who admitted causing some of the girl's injuries, pleaded guilty last year to murder in the girl's death and faces a minimum of 30 years in prison.
Paramedics found Alexis Marie "Lexi" Pounder dressed in zip-up pink pajamas, lying on her back, her severely underweight body layered with bruises and scrapes, on Jan. 9, 2010. Blood vessels in Lexi's eyes had burst, leaving her eyeballs red. An autopsy concluded Lexi was the victim of homicide and battered child syndrome. She died of pneumonia and dehydration.
The autopsy report detailed "dozens and dozens of injuries to her tiny, tiny body," said prosecutor Christine Landers. Smith admitted inflicting some injuries and blamed some on Cockrell.
Defense attorneys placed responsibility for the girl's death squarely on Smith. "She's very sophisticated at covering her tracks," said defense attorney Robert L. Huggins Jr. Cockrell entrusted the care of his daughers to Smith, Huggins said. "All the evidence is Michelle did it."
Landers said Cockrell tried to blame everyone except himself. He blamed Smith, the doctors who unquestioningly provided her with prescription drugs, Smith's daughter and even Lexi for having an eating disorder.
"His disregard for his child as she deteriorated was reckless and indefensible," Landers said.
Had Cockrell taken Lexi to the doctor the night before she died, she would be alive today, Landers said.
"It was the last time he failed his daughter," Landers said.
Cockrell's trial lasted nearly a month, drawing from a witness list that included dozens of detectives, doctors, family members, social workers.
Prosecutors opened the trial by sketching Lexi's short painful life.
Lexi was one of five children who lived in the blended family. Smith and Cockrell, who met in 2008, each had two children from prior relationships and had one child together. The family lived in a messy 700-square-foot mother-in-law apartment at Smith's parents' home in a rural area near Sandy.
Lexi's life was one of constant discipline and shaming. She was incontinent and always in trouble for soiling herself. When the family went to a fast food restaurant, Lexi would be the only one who didn't get a meal. She was forced to sleep on the floor or to run as a punishment.
In the days before she died, Lexi had diarrhea and dry heaves.
Jurors got their first look at Lexi Pounder as Landers showed them photos. Lexi a happy infant, as a bruised toddler, as a skinny naked body on the medical examiner's cold metal table.
Cockrell could not claim ignorance, said prosecutor Christine Landers. Lexi weighed 21 pounds when she died. At the time, her 9-month-old half sister weighed 19 pounds. "He picked up both of those girls," Landers said.
As Lexi wasted away and endured spankings and slaps that left her body tattooed with bruises, Smith had decided to part company with Cockrell. She testified that she stopped caring about him, his children and the condition of their small apartment, which one investigator decribed as "an awful mess." Meanwhile she became fixated on maintaining her supply of oxycodone and other painkillers.
Lexi's sister, Kara Pounder, also suffered, prosecutors said. She rooted around the kitchen, where the sink was piled high with dirty dishes, eating food off the floor or out of the garbage, Landers said.
Cockrell and Smith forced Kara to sleep in a small escape-proof space, wedged between a couch and a wall. Cockrell did nothing to save his children from their beatings, Landers said. He stood by while Lexi vomited so violently that the whites of her eyes turned red as blood vessels ruptured. "That is not a normal childhood illness," Landers said.
When Lexi died at the age of 3 1/2, she weighed as much as an average 15-month-old child.
She was beaten and underfed, prosecutors said, and died when her immune system collapsed and she couldn't fight off pneumonia.
When a detective interviewing Cockrell asked what happened to Lexi, "he has no explanation of why his child was dead," Landers told the jury. His answer was that "I woke up and found my daughter dead."
The defense repeatedly attacked Smith, portraying her as an unreliable, unstable woman addicted to painkillers who cut a deal to avoid a possible death sentence. "Michelle Smith's testimony has been bought and paid for," said defense attorney Jenny Cooke.
Cooke characterized Smith as drug-addled caregiver "so stoned she couldn't see straight and an incompetent witness who couldn't remember much beyond "Donnie did it."
Cooke said torture and mistreatment did not kill Lexi Pounder; the girl was ill and developed a pneumonia that took her life. The child had been losing weight but that wasn't apparent to Cockrell, Cooke said. Some bruises and abrasions were caused by routine childhood accidents or by one of Smith's children jumping on Lexi's head, Cooke said.
"There is no evidence anyone subjected Alexis Pounder to torture" or that Cockrell withheld food or knew the girl required immediate medical care, Cooke said. "She did not die of blunt force trauma" and her injuries did not cause her death, Cooke said.
Landers summarized Cockrell's defense as "I never took care of my children. How could I know" Lexi was in such fragile condition.
"Because of the way she looked," Landers said. "Seventy five bruises on her tiny little body."
The remaining children have been placed with relatives. Lexi's mother, Heather Pounder, has custody Lexi's sister, Kara. Michelle Smith's parents have custody of the other three children.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Dad arraigned for assaulting 1-year-old son (Portland, Oregon)
Dad is identified as RUSSELL G. FLIPPEN. No mention of a mother in the home.
http://koin.com/2014/05/08/father-arraigned-child-abuse-case-sons-birthday/
Father arraigned in child abuse case on son’s birthday
Brent Weisberg
Updated: Thursday, May 8, 2014, 11:54 am
Published: Thursday, May 8, 2014, 11:53 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — On the day of his son’s second birthday, a 47-year-old father was arraigned on a four count grand jury indictment that charges him with assault and criminal mistreatment.
Russell G. Flippen is charged with one count of first-degree assault, one count of third degree assault and two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment.
The indictment shows the alleged physical abuse occurred in June and September 2012.
The boy’s injuries included brain damage and a broken leg, officials said.
Flippen was arrested Wednesday in Northeast Portland by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Steve Alexander said.
The case is being investigated by the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County Child Abuse Team. A trial has been set for later this year.
http://koin.com/2014/05/08/father-arraigned-child-abuse-case-sons-birthday/
Father arraigned in child abuse case on son’s birthday
Brent Weisberg
Updated: Thursday, May 8, 2014, 11:54 am
Published: Thursday, May 8, 2014, 11:53 am
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — On the day of his son’s second birthday, a 47-year-old father was arraigned on a four count grand jury indictment that charges him with assault and criminal mistreatment.
Russell G. Flippen is charged with one count of first-degree assault, one count of third degree assault and two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment.
The indictment shows the alleged physical abuse occurred in June and September 2012.
The boy’s injuries included brain damage and a broken leg, officials said.
Flippen was arrested Wednesday in Northeast Portland by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Steve Alexander said.
The case is being investigated by the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County Child Abuse Team. A trial has been set for later this year.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
"Relative" finds dad passed out from narcotics with crying baby (Myrtle Creek, Oregon)
Don't you just love the vague way these stories are written?
Who the heck is this "relative" who is poking around at 6 AM so she or he can pick up the baby?
And where the heck is the mother?
It sure doesn't sound like the mother lives under the same roof. I would just about bet that CHRISTOPHER SETH HOUX is a single father.
But why does this dysfunctional meth head have possession of this baby? Who gave him access and why? Is this a visitation situation? Joint custody? FULL CUSTODY?
Don't tell me that nobody knew Daddy had a drug problem before. Somebody is responsible for providing this idiot with the opportunity to traumatize and neglect an infant, but of course, that person is not identified. They seldom are.
http://www.kpic.com/news/local/Police-Dad-passed-out-with-crying-baby-255212821.html
Police: Dad passed out with crying baby
By News Staff
Published: Apr 14, 2014 at 1:00 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 14, 2014 at 1:18 PM PDT
MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. -- Police in Myrtle Creek say a relative took a baby from an apartment where the infant's father was passed out after being under the influence of narcotics.
Chief Don Brown from the Myrtle Creek Police Department says officers went to an apartment in the 700 block of Johnson Street Saturday afternoon, after a relative reported the incident to police.
Brown says a relative of the infant went to the apartment at about 6:00 am on Saturday to pick the child up, and heard the baby crying inside.
Police say after knocking on the door, the relative had to get the apartment manager to let her in, where she says she found Christopher Seth Houx, 27, breathing but unresponsive on the couch with the baby nearby.
The relative took the baby and police say it was at least two hours before Houx contacted relatives to find out where the child was.
Chief Brown says officers contacted Houx at the apartment around 3:00 pm and found him under the influence of narcotics.
A search of the residence turned up a small amount of meth, police said.
Houx was arrested and charged by police with possession of meth, second degree child neglect, endangering the welfare of a minor and recklessly endangering another person.
Police lodged Houx in the Douglas County Jail, where his bail was set at $68,750.
Chief Brown says the case has been sent to the Department of Human Services and the investigation is continuing.
Who the heck is this "relative" who is poking around at 6 AM so she or he can pick up the baby?
And where the heck is the mother?
It sure doesn't sound like the mother lives under the same roof. I would just about bet that CHRISTOPHER SETH HOUX is a single father.
But why does this dysfunctional meth head have possession of this baby? Who gave him access and why? Is this a visitation situation? Joint custody? FULL CUSTODY?
Don't tell me that nobody knew Daddy had a drug problem before. Somebody is responsible for providing this idiot with the opportunity to traumatize and neglect an infant, but of course, that person is not identified. They seldom are.
http://www.kpic.com/news/local/Police-Dad-passed-out-with-crying-baby-255212821.html
Police: Dad passed out with crying baby
By News Staff
Published: Apr 14, 2014 at 1:00 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 14, 2014 at 1:18 PM PDT
MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. -- Police in Myrtle Creek say a relative took a baby from an apartment where the infant's father was passed out after being under the influence of narcotics.
Chief Don Brown from the Myrtle Creek Police Department says officers went to an apartment in the 700 block of Johnson Street Saturday afternoon, after a relative reported the incident to police.
Brown says a relative of the infant went to the apartment at about 6:00 am on Saturday to pick the child up, and heard the baby crying inside.
Police say after knocking on the door, the relative had to get the apartment manager to let her in, where she says she found Christopher Seth Houx, 27, breathing but unresponsive on the couch with the baby nearby.
The relative took the baby and police say it was at least two hours before Houx contacted relatives to find out where the child was.
Chief Brown says officers contacted Houx at the apartment around 3:00 pm and found him under the influence of narcotics.
A search of the residence turned up a small amount of meth, police said.
Houx was arrested and charged by police with possession of meth, second degree child neglect, endangering the welfare of a minor and recklessly endangering another person.
Police lodged Houx in the Douglas County Jail, where his bail was set at $68,750.
Chief Brown says the case has been sent to the Department of Human Services and the investigation is continuing.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Dad accused of fracturing skull of 6-month-old son (Springfield, Oregon)
Dad is identified as BRIAN WAYNE CLINTON WYNN.
http://www.kval.com/news/local/Father-accused-of-fracturing-infant-sons-skull-246177781.html
Father accused of fracturing infant son's skull
By News Staff
Published: Feb 19, 2014 at 9:16 AM PST
Last Updated: Feb 19, 2014 at 10:22 AM PST
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - A father fractured his 6-month-old son's skull, sending the boy to the hospital - and landing dad in jail, Springfield Police said.
Police arrested Brian Wayne Clinton Wynn, 20, on three counts of first degree assault.
The investigation started Monday when officers responded to McKenzie Willamette Hospital to investigate suspicious injuries to the boy's skull, police said.
The boy was later flown by air ambulance to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, where a medical exam identified older injuries to the child.
Police allege Wynn caused the injuries to the boy through abuse, Sgt. David Lewis said.
The boy’s injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time, police said.
http://www.kval.com/news/local/Father-accused-of-fracturing-infant-sons-skull-246177781.html
Father accused of fracturing infant son's skull
By News Staff
Published: Feb 19, 2014 at 9:16 AM PST
Last Updated: Feb 19, 2014 at 10:22 AM PST
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - A father fractured his 6-month-old son's skull, sending the boy to the hospital - and landing dad in jail, Springfield Police said.
Police arrested Brian Wayne Clinton Wynn, 20, on three counts of first degree assault.
The investigation started Monday when officers responded to McKenzie Willamette Hospital to investigate suspicious injuries to the boy's skull, police said.
The boy was later flown by air ambulance to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital in Portland, where a medical exam identified older injuries to the child.
Police allege Wynn caused the injuries to the boy through abuse, Sgt. David Lewis said.
The boy’s injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time, police said.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Dad arrested for shooting mom, abducting 2-year-old daughter (Gresham, Oregon)
Thank goodness Dad was arrested before he became "frustrated" and violent towards the daughter. Any dad who is more than willing to shoot a 2-year old's mother is an abusive father by definition.
Dad is identified as JOSHUA R. CAVETT.
http://www.kxl.com/10/12/13/Amber-Alert-Canceled-Father-in-Custody/landing.html?blockID=718241&feedID=10446
Amber Alert Canceled. Father in Custody.
October 12, 2013, 5:37 pm
An AMBER Alert was canceled when a shooting suspect was taken into custody Saturday October 12th.
Gresham Police Department asked for the public's help to find suspect Joshua R. Cavett, age 36, from Portland, who had his 2-year-old daughter Paige Cavett.
The suspect is the child's biological father but does not have legal custody. He was believed to be armed and dangerous.
Police said Cavett is a member of the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club. He was a suspect in the shooting of the girl's mother just before noon at the Holly Ridge apartments, said Lt. Claudio Grandjean with Gresham police.
The 27-year-old woman, Jessie Cavett is in the hospital with lift-threatening injuries.
Dad is identified as JOSHUA R. CAVETT.
http://www.kxl.com/10/12/13/Amber-Alert-Canceled-Father-in-Custody/landing.html?blockID=718241&feedID=10446
Amber Alert Canceled. Father in Custody.
October 12, 2013, 5:37 pm
An AMBER Alert was canceled when a shooting suspect was taken into custody Saturday October 12th.
Gresham Police Department asked for the public's help to find suspect Joshua R. Cavett, age 36, from Portland, who had his 2-year-old daughter Paige Cavett.
The suspect is the child's biological father but does not have legal custody. He was believed to be armed and dangerous.
Police said Cavett is a member of the Gypsy Jokers Motorcycle Club. He was a suspect in the shooting of the girl's mother just before noon at the Holly Ridge apartments, said Lt. Claudio Grandjean with Gresham police.
The 27-year-old woman, Jessie Cavett is in the hospital with lift-threatening injuries.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Mom discusses events leading to 15-year-old daughter's 2009 murder by custodial dad (Dyersburg, Tennessee)
We've reported on this case before. After all these years, the mother has won a $300,000 judgement against the Tennessee Department of Children's Servcies. The killer dad was CHRIS MILBURN.
A case where the mother encouraged her daughter to have a relationship with the father (contrary to fathers rights propaganda), and got totally burned. Dad ended up seizing full custody, shutting off all contact with the mother, and sexually and physically abusing the girl. He then killed her after she attempted to report the abuse and went into foster care.
http://www.stategazette.com/story/1997142.html
Mother speaks about life events leading up to daughter's 2009 murder
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Dyersburg State Gazette
The mother of a murdered child was recently awarded a $300,000 judgment against the state of Tennessee in a wrongful-death suit. She hopes the judgment brings about a positive change in the state's troubled Department of Children's Services. She also wants the memory of her daughter to be one of strength and determination and an inspiration to others that are too afraid to speak up.
In the summer of 2009, Jessica Readen's 15-year-old daughter, whose identity cannot be released, but is known as SNM in the legal case, was living in Dyersburg, Tenn. with her father Chris Milburn. The child reported as being physically and sexually abused by her father to the Tennessee Department of Children's Services in July 2009. DCS removed the teen from her father's custody and placed her in the home of neighbors, Todd and Susan Randolph, who lived just two doors down from Milburn on Blake Cove in Dyersburg. On Aug. 2, 2009, Milburn walked over to the Randolphs' house and shot his daughter and both of the Randolphs and then committed suicide in a nearby field. Susan Randolph, who was shot multiple times, was the only survivor.
Readen, who was living in Reedsport, Ore. at the time of the incident, says no matter how much money the state awards her it cannot bring her daughter back, but at least the judgment shows the state was at fault. Attorneys Dean Dedmon and Lewis Jenkins Jr. of Wilkerson Gauldin Hayes & Jenkins in Dyersburg represented Readen in the wrongful-death suit against the state. Susan Randolph was also part of the same suit. On April 19 -- 20, a trial was held in Dyersburg to determine if the state was at fault for the murders. In November of 2012, Tennessee Claims Commissioner Nancy C. Miller-Herron handed down a judgment to Readen in the amount of $300,000. Dyersburg resident Susan Randolph was also awarded $275,000 from injuries she received from the incident and the estate of her late husband received $300,000.
To hear Readen recall the events leading up to her daughter's death, a person can tell she deeply loved her daughter and regrets ever letting her daughter go with the man who denied he was her father for the first half of her life.
Readen and Milburn were never married. She says that when she told Milburn she was pregnant with his child he denied being the father. Readen had the child in 1994 and the couple separated.
"The day I got her home from the hospital, (Milburn) came over to my house and he held her for about five minutes," said Readen. "He looked at her face and looked at me and he said 'is she really mine?' and I said 'yeah' and he said 'I've got to go,' and he handed her back to me and I didn't see him again (until eight years later)."
Milburn reportedly moved from the area while Readen stayed and married another man. The couple then began raising SNM as their own.
"She was being raised as my husband's daughter," said Readen.
Readen says one day, out of the blue, she received a phone call from Milburn who reportedly said he had grown up and had two daughters, he wanted SNM to meet them and he also wanted to get to know his daughter. Readen was reluctant, but through Milburn's persistence she gave in and allowed him to come to Oregon to visit their daughter. He flew out multiple times to visit his daughter and the two grew closer. During this time, Milburn gained Readen's trust and looked as if he was sincere in rebuilding a relationship with his daughter.
"He put up a real good front he was going to be a dad to her," said Readen.
When SNM was around 9 years old, Readen allowed her daughter to travel with Milburn to Dyersburg and be introduced to her extended family. That was the last time she saw her daughter alive and when the nightmare began.
"She was supposed to go there for three weeks and (Milburn) just basically stole her from me," said Readen. "(SNM) called me and said she wanted (to extend her visit) to go to a concert and two weeks later I got orders in the mail to come to Dyersburg and fight for custody of her."
Milburn, who had a family of his own in Dyersburg, had filed custody papers and decided SNM would live with him and not return her to Oregon.
At the time, Readen had just gotten divorced from her husband and was raising three children. She had been a housewife and mother and was not working at the time. She said she found herself in a situation where she felt helpless and didn't have the resources to travel across the country and regain custody of her child.
"I was devastated when he took her from me," said Readen. "I had been raising her."
Readen's attorney Dean Dedmon says there have been misconceptions in the community about Readen's involvement in her daughter's life. He says Milburn was to blame for taking the child back to Tennessee with him knowing Readen couldn't afford to get to Dyersburg to try to get her back.
"If anybody gets anything out of this, I want people to know Jessica didn't abandon her child," said Dedmon. "Far from it, she did everything she could do to get the father to let her to come back into her life. (Milburn) fooled everyone and essentially developed an entire protocol to do nothing, but eliminate this woman from this child's life. And that's the hell she has to live with on a daily basis. She did everything she could do under the circumstance. She just didn't have the resources."
Dedmon added that while SNM was in Tennessee, Readen developed significant health issues, which debilitated her and put further strain on her finances.
Over the next several years, Readen says Milburn systematically began to turn their daughter against her. She said Milburn regulated SNM's contact with her and he would sit next to SNM whenever they spoke and told her what to say, including calling Milburn's wife "mom".
"(Milburn) was telling me over periods of time that (SNM) had forgotten about me and she didn't want to talk to me, and that she had a mother," said Readen. "The whole time I was (telling him) you need to let her talk for herself and you need to let me talk to her."
Readen says it wasn't until SNM was in junior high school that she was able to use a friend's cell phone to call Readen and the two of them speak freely. It was during these conversations that Readen says she was able to reconnect with her daughter. Readen was also able to secretly send her a cell phone she could use to call her without fear of Milburn interfering.
A case where the mother encouraged her daughter to have a relationship with the father (contrary to fathers rights propaganda), and got totally burned. Dad ended up seizing full custody, shutting off all contact with the mother, and sexually and physically abusing the girl. He then killed her after she attempted to report the abuse and went into foster care.
http://www.stategazette.com/story/1997142.html
Mother speaks about life events leading up to daughter's 2009 murder
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Dyersburg State Gazette
The mother of a murdered child was recently awarded a $300,000 judgment against the state of Tennessee in a wrongful-death suit. She hopes the judgment brings about a positive change in the state's troubled Department of Children's Services. She also wants the memory of her daughter to be one of strength and determination and an inspiration to others that are too afraid to speak up.
In the summer of 2009, Jessica Readen's 15-year-old daughter, whose identity cannot be released, but is known as SNM in the legal case, was living in Dyersburg, Tenn. with her father Chris Milburn. The child reported as being physically and sexually abused by her father to the Tennessee Department of Children's Services in July 2009. DCS removed the teen from her father's custody and placed her in the home of neighbors, Todd and Susan Randolph, who lived just two doors down from Milburn on Blake Cove in Dyersburg. On Aug. 2, 2009, Milburn walked over to the Randolphs' house and shot his daughter and both of the Randolphs and then committed suicide in a nearby field. Susan Randolph, who was shot multiple times, was the only survivor.
Readen, who was living in Reedsport, Ore. at the time of the incident, says no matter how much money the state awards her it cannot bring her daughter back, but at least the judgment shows the state was at fault. Attorneys Dean Dedmon and Lewis Jenkins Jr. of Wilkerson Gauldin Hayes & Jenkins in Dyersburg represented Readen in the wrongful-death suit against the state. Susan Randolph was also part of the same suit. On April 19 -- 20, a trial was held in Dyersburg to determine if the state was at fault for the murders. In November of 2012, Tennessee Claims Commissioner Nancy C. Miller-Herron handed down a judgment to Readen in the amount of $300,000. Dyersburg resident Susan Randolph was also awarded $275,000 from injuries she received from the incident and the estate of her late husband received $300,000.
To hear Readen recall the events leading up to her daughter's death, a person can tell she deeply loved her daughter and regrets ever letting her daughter go with the man who denied he was her father for the first half of her life.
Readen and Milburn were never married. She says that when she told Milburn she was pregnant with his child he denied being the father. Readen had the child in 1994 and the couple separated.
"The day I got her home from the hospital, (Milburn) came over to my house and he held her for about five minutes," said Readen. "He looked at her face and looked at me and he said 'is she really mine?' and I said 'yeah' and he said 'I've got to go,' and he handed her back to me and I didn't see him again (until eight years later)."
Milburn reportedly moved from the area while Readen stayed and married another man. The couple then began raising SNM as their own.
"She was being raised as my husband's daughter," said Readen.
Readen says one day, out of the blue, she received a phone call from Milburn who reportedly said he had grown up and had two daughters, he wanted SNM to meet them and he also wanted to get to know his daughter. Readen was reluctant, but through Milburn's persistence she gave in and allowed him to come to Oregon to visit their daughter. He flew out multiple times to visit his daughter and the two grew closer. During this time, Milburn gained Readen's trust and looked as if he was sincere in rebuilding a relationship with his daughter.
"He put up a real good front he was going to be a dad to her," said Readen.
When SNM was around 9 years old, Readen allowed her daughter to travel with Milburn to Dyersburg and be introduced to her extended family. That was the last time she saw her daughter alive and when the nightmare began.
"She was supposed to go there for three weeks and (Milburn) just basically stole her from me," said Readen. "(SNM) called me and said she wanted (to extend her visit) to go to a concert and two weeks later I got orders in the mail to come to Dyersburg and fight for custody of her."
Milburn, who had a family of his own in Dyersburg, had filed custody papers and decided SNM would live with him and not return her to Oregon.
At the time, Readen had just gotten divorced from her husband and was raising three children. She had been a housewife and mother and was not working at the time. She said she found herself in a situation where she felt helpless and didn't have the resources to travel across the country and regain custody of her child.
"I was devastated when he took her from me," said Readen. "I had been raising her."
Readen's attorney Dean Dedmon says there have been misconceptions in the community about Readen's involvement in her daughter's life. He says Milburn was to blame for taking the child back to Tennessee with him knowing Readen couldn't afford to get to Dyersburg to try to get her back.
"If anybody gets anything out of this, I want people to know Jessica didn't abandon her child," said Dedmon. "Far from it, she did everything she could do to get the father to let her to come back into her life. (Milburn) fooled everyone and essentially developed an entire protocol to do nothing, but eliminate this woman from this child's life. And that's the hell she has to live with on a daily basis. She did everything she could do under the circumstance. She just didn't have the resources."
Dedmon added that while SNM was in Tennessee, Readen developed significant health issues, which debilitated her and put further strain on her finances.
Over the next several years, Readen says Milburn systematically began to turn their daughter against her. She said Milburn regulated SNM's contact with her and he would sit next to SNM whenever they spoke and told her what to say, including calling Milburn's wife "mom".
"(Milburn) was telling me over periods of time that (SNM) had forgotten about me and she didn't want to talk to me, and that she had a mother," said Readen. "The whole time I was (telling him) you need to let her talk for herself and you need to let me talk to her."
Readen says it wasn't until SNM was in junior high school that she was able to use a friend's cell phone to call Readen and the two of them speak freely. It was during these conversations that Readen says she was able to reconnect with her daughter. Readen was also able to secretly send her a cell phone she could use to call her without fear of Milburn interfering.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Dad in dangerous mental state retains custody of 2-year-old son (Portland, Oregon)
UNNAMED DAD sound like a drug-addicted, crazy nitwit. How this moron got custody is not explained at all. Nor what happened to the mother. Typical fawning over a custodial daddy. Never held accountable for anything they do.
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/24/4364966/father-in-dangerous-mental-state.html
Father in dangerous mental state retains custody
July 24 BY NIGEL DUARA Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man has regained custody of his child, even though trial and appellate courts found his mental state poses a danger to the 2-year-old.
The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned a trial court's finding that put the child in state custody. It was the second time the appeals court ruled on the case — a previous ruling was unclear and apparently misinterpreted by the lower court.
The overturned decision puts the child firmly back in the father's custody, pending a new hearing in trial court. The appeals court said reviewing whether a parent's condition at the time of a hearing poses a risk to the child "does not have an easy answer."
But it ruled the trial court erred when it relied on the father's history of substance abuse, mental state and threat of relapse to deny him custody, which the appeals court called "facts that have ceased to exist or for which there is no evidence."
The case began in 2011, when the Oregon Department of Human Services took custody of the child. The father, identified in court documents as "N.P.," conceded in August 2011 that his use of controlled substances made him an inadequate parent.
By December 2011, the father had completed drug and alcohol counseling and addressed the problem. He then tried to win back custody of his child.
But the Department of Human Services refused, saying the child belonged in state custody because the father "has ongoing mental health and/or anger and frustration problems that impair his ability to competently parent the child." The department made no claims about substance abuse, its original reasoning for taking custody of the child.
A trial court judge agreed in 2012.
"Viewed in light of the risk that is represented by his use of controlled substances," the judge wrote in an opinion, "the father's anger and frustration represent a condition that, without treatment, impairs his ability to parent."
And the appellate court still found that the father's "anger, frustration, intemperance and immaturity" represented a threat to the child. But the appellate court ruled that the trial court erred when it relied on his history of substance abuse and threat of relapse.
The appeals court has established a high bar to prove that a parent's condition poses a threat to a child. Whether it was possession of pornography or failure to complete sex offender treatment, the appeals court has ruled in at least two other cases that parents were still fit to retain custody of their children.
The appeals court said that the evidence before the trial court "was sufficient to establish that father's condition or conduct gave rise to a current threat of serious loss or injury to the child."
But the court didn't rely on that to deny him custody, instead using the fact that the father had a substance abuse problem at the time of the hearing, and the appellate court ruled "there was no evidence to support that determination."
http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/24/4364966/father-in-dangerous-mental-state.html
Father in dangerous mental state retains custody
July 24 BY NIGEL DUARA Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon man has regained custody of his child, even though trial and appellate courts found his mental state poses a danger to the 2-year-old.
The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned a trial court's finding that put the child in state custody. It was the second time the appeals court ruled on the case — a previous ruling was unclear and apparently misinterpreted by the lower court.
The overturned decision puts the child firmly back in the father's custody, pending a new hearing in trial court. The appeals court said reviewing whether a parent's condition at the time of a hearing poses a risk to the child "does not have an easy answer."
But it ruled the trial court erred when it relied on the father's history of substance abuse, mental state and threat of relapse to deny him custody, which the appeals court called "facts that have ceased to exist or for which there is no evidence."
The case began in 2011, when the Oregon Department of Human Services took custody of the child. The father, identified in court documents as "N.P.," conceded in August 2011 that his use of controlled substances made him an inadequate parent.
By December 2011, the father had completed drug and alcohol counseling and addressed the problem. He then tried to win back custody of his child.
But the Department of Human Services refused, saying the child belonged in state custody because the father "has ongoing mental health and/or anger and frustration problems that impair his ability to competently parent the child." The department made no claims about substance abuse, its original reasoning for taking custody of the child.
A trial court judge agreed in 2012.
"Viewed in light of the risk that is represented by his use of controlled substances," the judge wrote in an opinion, "the father's anger and frustration represent a condition that, without treatment, impairs his ability to parent."
And the appellate court still found that the father's "anger, frustration, intemperance and immaturity" represented a threat to the child. But the appellate court ruled that the trial court erred when it relied on his history of substance abuse and threat of relapse.
The appeals court has established a high bar to prove that a parent's condition poses a threat to a child. Whether it was possession of pornography or failure to complete sex offender treatment, the appeals court has ruled in at least two other cases that parents were still fit to retain custody of their children.
The appeals court said that the evidence before the trial court "was sufficient to establish that father's condition or conduct gave rise to a current threat of serious loss or injury to the child."
But the court didn't rely on that to deny him custody, instead using the fact that the father had a substance abuse problem at the time of the hearing, and the appellate court ruled "there was no evidence to support that determination."
Friday, April 26, 2013
Dad, gal pal arraigned on child neglect, mistreatment charges (Portland, Oregon)
This article is silent on the major issue here. Where is this boy's mother? Is BRIAN L. PARMENTIER a custodial father? Or did all this happen during the meth-head daddy's visitation? No answer.
How did this boy end up with these losers? What officials, if any, were involved in making that decision? Will they be held accountable for their decisions? No answer.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/04/portland_father_girlfriend_acc.html
Portland father, girlfriend accused of child neglect, mistreatment
By Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian
on April 25, 2013 at 4:07 PM, updated April 25, 2013 at 5:10 PM
A Portland father and his girlfriend face child neglect and criminal mistreatment allegations, accused of leaving the dad's 10-year-old son home alone "in deplorable conditions" in a Southeast Portland apartment for a night.
Brian L. Parmentier , 40 and Sarah Call, 32, were arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court Thursday.
They each face allegations of first-degree child neglect, two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment and second-degree animal neglect.
According to Portland police, Officer Robert Slyter responded Wednesday to a report of a child left unattended at an apartment in the 12500 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard.
The 10-year-old boy invited the officer in when Slyter showed up at the apartment. "Officer Slyter immediately could see that the home was in deplorable conditions with garbage, food and dog feces all over the floor,'' deputy district attorney Susan Howard wrote in a probable cause affidavit filed in court Thursday.
There was no running water, flies everywhere and no phone available in the residence, the affidavit said.
Officer Judy McFarlane, who was also on scene, wrote in her police report that "these were the worst conditions she has seen'' in her 40 years as an officer, Howard wrote in the affidavit.
McFarlane called animal control officers since there were three dogs, a cat and three kittens without food or water inside the apartment.
The 10-year-old boy also hadn't eaten that day, police said. Parmentier told police he thought his son was old enough to stay home by himself.
Call explained why they weren't home: They'd been arrested and accused of possessing methamphetamine and spent the night in jail.
How did this boy end up with these losers? What officials, if any, were involved in making that decision? Will they be held accountable for their decisions? No answer.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/04/portland_father_girlfriend_acc.html
Portland father, girlfriend accused of child neglect, mistreatment
By Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian
on April 25, 2013 at 4:07 PM, updated April 25, 2013 at 5:10 PM
A Portland father and his girlfriend face child neglect and criminal mistreatment allegations, accused of leaving the dad's 10-year-old son home alone "in deplorable conditions" in a Southeast Portland apartment for a night.
Brian L. Parmentier , 40 and Sarah Call, 32, were arraigned in Multnomah County Circuit Court Thursday.
They each face allegations of first-degree child neglect, two counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment and second-degree animal neglect.
According to Portland police, Officer Robert Slyter responded Wednesday to a report of a child left unattended at an apartment in the 12500 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard.
The 10-year-old boy invited the officer in when Slyter showed up at the apartment. "Officer Slyter immediately could see that the home was in deplorable conditions with garbage, food and dog feces all over the floor,'' deputy district attorney Susan Howard wrote in a probable cause affidavit filed in court Thursday.
There was no running water, flies everywhere and no phone available in the residence, the affidavit said.
Officer Judy McFarlane, who was also on scene, wrote in her police report that "these were the worst conditions she has seen'' in her 40 years as an officer, Howard wrote in the affidavit.
McFarlane called animal control officers since there were three dogs, a cat and three kittens without food or water inside the apartment.
The 10-year-old boy also hadn't eaten that day, police said. Parmentier told police he thought his son was old enough to stay home by himself.
Call explained why they weren't home: They'd been arrested and accused of possessing methamphetamine and spent the night in jail.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Dad arrested after 6-year-old daughter consumes meth (Medford, Oregon)
Notice that there is no mention of a mother in this home, and that the child is now in the care of CPS. What happened to this girl's mother?
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/washington/girl-6-eats-meth-father-arrested-in-s-oregon/nXTx2/
Updated: 1:06 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013 | Posted: 1:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Girl, 6, eats meth; father arrested in S. Oregon
The Associated Press
MEDFORD, Ore. — Southern Oregon authorities say a 6-year-old who ate methamphetamine from her father's baggie had an upset stomach but is otherwise in good health.
She was placed in foster care. He was booked on charges including child neglect and meth possession.
A Jackson County sheriff's deputy caught up with a 28-year-old Seattle man after reports Monday about suspicious behavior at a fast-food parking lot in Ashland.
At a traffic stop, the deputy reported, the girl said she'd eaten what looked like a "sort of gray" rock. She identified a bag containing more than 5 grams of meth.
Spokeswoman Andrea Carlson said the girl appeared to be OK: "She just complained of a stomach ache." She was treated at a hospital and released.
Carlson said the father faces arraignment Tuesday or Wednesday.
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.kirotv.com/news/ap/washington/girl-6-eats-meth-father-arrested-in-s-oregon/nXTx2/
Updated: 1:06 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013 | Posted: 1:05 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Girl, 6, eats meth; father arrested in S. Oregon
The Associated Press
MEDFORD, Ore. — Southern Oregon authorities say a 6-year-old who ate methamphetamine from her father's baggie had an upset stomach but is otherwise in good health.
She was placed in foster care. He was booked on charges including child neglect and meth possession.
A Jackson County sheriff's deputy caught up with a 28-year-old Seattle man after reports Monday about suspicious behavior at a fast-food parking lot in Ashland.
At a traffic stop, the deputy reported, the girl said she'd eaten what looked like a "sort of gray" rock. She identified a bag containing more than 5 grams of meth.
Spokeswoman Andrea Carlson said the girl appeared to be OK: "She just complained of a stomach ache." She was treated at a hospital and released.
Carlson said the father faces arraignment Tuesday or Wednesday.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Dad uses 7-month-old son as shield against police (Estacada, Oregon)
Dad is identified as RALEIGH REYNOLDS. No specific mention of a mother around, just Daddy's "relatives."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312812/Raleigh-Reynolds-used-7-month-old-son-SHIELD-police-tried-arrest-burglary.html
Father ‘used his seven-month-old son as a SHIELD when police tried to arrest him for burglary’
'Raleigh Reynolds barricaded himself inside property in Estacada, Oregon'
Eventually emerged holding baby in front of him, police say
Officers feared he was armed as they tried to arrest him
By Sam Adams
PUBLISHED:03:09 EST, 22 April 2013| UPDATED: 11:45 EST, 22 April 2013
A father used his seven-month-old baby as a human shield when police tried to arrest him on suspicion of burglary, officers said.
Raleigh Reynolds held the boy between himself and the police when they confronted him in Estacada, Oregon, according to Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.
Officers feared Mr Reynolds might have been armed when they tried to arrest him on Saturday afternoon.
Police had been called to Clackamas Way after reports of a burglary, and saw Mr Reynolds who fled into a nearby house and barricaded himself inside.
He tried to escape from the house several, according to the police, before eventually emerging from the property holding the baby boy before him.
Police say he held the youngsters as a shield between himself and them, Fox 12 Oregon reports.
Officers negotiated with Mr Reynolds as he continued to hold the baby.
He finally released the child - which officers later found out was his son - and was arrested.
The baby was unhurt during the incident. Officers also found that Mr Reynolds was not armed, as was first feared.
The youngster was given to relatives of Mr Reynolds at the scene.
He was due to appear in court today facing charges of burglary, obstructing governmental administration, endangering welfare of a minor and resisting arrest, Fox 12 reports.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312812/Raleigh-Reynolds-used-7-month-old-son-SHIELD-police-tried-arrest-burglary.html
Father ‘used his seven-month-old son as a SHIELD when police tried to arrest him for burglary’
'Raleigh Reynolds barricaded himself inside property in Estacada, Oregon'
Eventually emerged holding baby in front of him, police say
Officers feared he was armed as they tried to arrest him
By Sam Adams
PUBLISHED:03:09 EST, 22 April 2013| UPDATED: 11:45 EST, 22 April 2013
A father used his seven-month-old baby as a human shield when police tried to arrest him on suspicion of burglary, officers said.
Raleigh Reynolds held the boy between himself and the police when they confronted him in Estacada, Oregon, according to Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.
Officers feared Mr Reynolds might have been armed when they tried to arrest him on Saturday afternoon.
Police had been called to Clackamas Way after reports of a burglary, and saw Mr Reynolds who fled into a nearby house and barricaded himself inside.
He tried to escape from the house several, according to the police, before eventually emerging from the property holding the baby boy before him.
Police say he held the youngsters as a shield between himself and them, Fox 12 Oregon reports.
Officers negotiated with Mr Reynolds as he continued to hold the baby.
He finally released the child - which officers later found out was his son - and was arrested.
The baby was unhurt during the incident. Officers also found that Mr Reynolds was not armed, as was first feared.
The youngster was given to relatives of Mr Reynolds at the scene.
He was due to appear in court today facing charges of burglary, obstructing governmental administration, endangering welfare of a minor and resisting arrest, Fox 12 reports.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Dad charged with assaulting 7-week-old son (Portland, Maine)
Dad is identified as NORMAN BROWN, JR.
http://www.koinlocal6.com/mostpopular/story/Portland-father-arrested-for-violently-shaking-7-w/7P6rGqoSg0-Y2FkYRdJJEw.cspx
Portland father accused of violently shaking infant son
Reported by: Brent Weisberg
Published: 11:29 am
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A 22-year-old father is accused of violently shaking his infant son earlier this month.
Child abuse detectives with Multnomah County said Norman Brown Jr. faces assault charges after they learned he likely shook the child on Feb. 12, when the boy was taken to a local hospital. Portland police said Brown's seven-week-old son is expected to survive, but may suffer permanent partial vision loss.
Officials said the boy's parents called 911 to report their son acting differently. Paramedics responded to the family’s home in the 10300 block of North Allegheny Avenue and transported the child to a hospital. Doctors performed a CT scan which revealed the child had an old and new brain bleed.
Hospital staff told police that the child had extensive retinal hemorrhaging in both eyes. The CT scan also showed signs of a brain bleed from approximately one month earlier, Portland police said.
Detectives were alerted because doctors felt the injuries were consistent with abuse, court documents reveal. A doctor, speaking to detectives, said the injuries were consistent with a baby being shaken or receiving a forcible impact into a soft surface.
Brown admitted to shaking his son, court documents show. The child's mother also admitted to seeing Brown shake the baby in January.
Brown has been charged with first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault and one count of first-degree criminal mischief. He will be arraigned in Multnomah County Court Friday afternoon.
http://www.koinlocal6.com/mostpopular/story/Portland-father-arrested-for-violently-shaking-7-w/7P6rGqoSg0-Y2FkYRdJJEw.cspx
Portland father accused of violently shaking infant son
Reported by: Brent Weisberg
Published: 11:29 am
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A 22-year-old father is accused of violently shaking his infant son earlier this month.
Child abuse detectives with Multnomah County said Norman Brown Jr. faces assault charges after they learned he likely shook the child on Feb. 12, when the boy was taken to a local hospital. Portland police said Brown's seven-week-old son is expected to survive, but may suffer permanent partial vision loss.
Officials said the boy's parents called 911 to report their son acting differently. Paramedics responded to the family’s home in the 10300 block of North Allegheny Avenue and transported the child to a hospital. Doctors performed a CT scan which revealed the child had an old and new brain bleed.
Hospital staff told police that the child had extensive retinal hemorrhaging in both eyes. The CT scan also showed signs of a brain bleed from approximately one month earlier, Portland police said.
Detectives were alerted because doctors felt the injuries were consistent with abuse, court documents reveal. A doctor, speaking to detectives, said the injuries were consistent with a baby being shaken or receiving a forcible impact into a soft surface.
Brown admitted to shaking his son, court documents show. The child's mother also admitted to seeing Brown shake the baby in January.
Brown has been charged with first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault and one count of first-degree criminal mischief. He will be arraigned in Multnomah County Court Friday afternoon.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Dad on trial for Starving and Beating 3 month old daughter to death
Custodial Dad Donald Lee Cockrell and Step-Mom who already plead guilty.
No mention of MOTHER.
Father goes on trial 'for starving and beating daughter, 3, to death after months of abuse because she was incontinent'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2271307/Donald-Lee-Cockrell-Father-goes-trial-starving-beating-year-old-daughter-death.html
Lexi Pounder was found beaten and malnourished in January 2010
Her father and his fiancee 'refused to give her food, made her sleep on the floor and forced her to run as punishment for soiling herself'
Fiancee Michelle Nicole Smith has already pleaded guilty and will now testify in the trial of Donald Lee Cockrell
A father has gone on trial for allegedly beating and starving his three-year-old daughter to death - three years after her bruised, malnourished body was found at his home.
Donald Lee Cockrell, 30, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Alexis Marie Pounder with his fiancee, Michelle Nicole Smith, in Sandy, Oregon in January 2010.
Smith pleaded guilty to the killing last year and faces a minimum of 30 years behind bars, and as part of the plea deal she will testify against Cockrell.
Alexis, who was known as Lexi, weighed just 21 pounds when paramedics found her beaten body at the garbage-filled home she shared with Cockrell, Smith and four other children under five.
Investigators said it was one of the worst cases they have ever seen.
The young girl, who had lived at the home since October 2009, was incontinent and was repeatedly punished for soiling herself, The Oregonian reported.
If the family went out to a fast-food restaurant, she was the only one who would go without a meal, and would be forced to sleep on the floor or to run as punishment, the paper reported.
An autopsy found that she suffered a blunt force head trauma and the report detailed scores of injuries to her little body, prosecutor Christine Landers told the jury in Cockrell's trial.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Dad accused of assaulting 8-month-old daughter (Portland, Oregon)
Another useless daddy who got "frustrated" from normal infant crying.
Dad is identified as JUAN RUIZ-PIZA.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/01/portland_police_accuse_father.html
Portland police accuse father of physically abusing his 8-month-old daughter
By Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian
January 25, 2013 at 5:07 PM, updated January 25, 2013 at 5:13 PM
A 29-year-old Portland father is in custody, accused of physically abusing his 8-month-old daughter and delaying her emergency medical care.
Portland police arrested Juan Ruiz-Piza Thursday night.
He's accused of second-degree assault and two counts of first-degree criminal treatment.
Authorities said Ruiz-Piza and his wife brought their daughter to a local hospital on Jan. 20, saying she'd been lethargic and was vomiting.
A physician who treated the infant found she suffered a serious head injury and noticed bruising on the girl's legs and ear.
The physician alerted Portland police.
The doctor told police it appeared the infant had been violently shaken, which caused bleeding on the surface of her brain, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court Friday.
In an initial interview with police, Ruiz-Piza said he found the baby suffering after he had returned home after spending the weekend away.
Two days later, he admitted to police that he had gotten frustrated by the girl's crying, and picked her up with a really strong grip and shook her, the affidavit says.
The infant's breathing immediately became very shallow. Her dad told police he thought she might die so he tried to revive her by putting water on her face, and blowing on her face.
He did not take the girl to the hospital for several hours, "because he hoped she would just return to normal," the affidavit says.
Ruiz-Piza is being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center on total bail of $260,000. A federal immigration hold has also been placed on him.
Dad is identified as JUAN RUIZ-PIZA.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/01/portland_police_accuse_father.html
Portland police accuse father of physically abusing his 8-month-old daughter
By Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian
January 25, 2013 at 5:07 PM, updated January 25, 2013 at 5:13 PM
A 29-year-old Portland father is in custody, accused of physically abusing his 8-month-old daughter and delaying her emergency medical care.
Portland police arrested Juan Ruiz-Piza Thursday night.
He's accused of second-degree assault and two counts of first-degree criminal treatment.
Authorities said Ruiz-Piza and his wife brought their daughter to a local hospital on Jan. 20, saying she'd been lethargic and was vomiting.
A physician who treated the infant found she suffered a serious head injury and noticed bruising on the girl's legs and ear.
The physician alerted Portland police.
The doctor told police it appeared the infant had been violently shaken, which caused bleeding on the surface of her brain, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court Friday.
In an initial interview with police, Ruiz-Piza said he found the baby suffering after he had returned home after spending the weekend away.
Two days later, he admitted to police that he had gotten frustrated by the girl's crying, and picked her up with a really strong grip and shook her, the affidavit says.
The infant's breathing immediately became very shallow. Her dad told police he thought she might die so he tried to revive her by putting water on her face, and blowing on her face.
He did not take the girl to the hospital for several hours, "because he hoped she would just return to normal," the affidavit says.
Ruiz-Piza is being held at the Multnomah County Detention Center on total bail of $260,000. A federal immigration hold has also been placed on him.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Dad arrested in death of 7-week-old son (Beaverton, Oregon)
Dad is identified as ROBERT MYERS. No mention of the baby's mother.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Beaverton-father-accused-in-infant-son-s-death-4167754.php
Beaverton father accused in infant son's death
Published 10:40 am, Friday, January 4, 2013
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) — Police say a Beaverton father has been accused of murder in the death of his infant child.
Police say the 7-week-old boy, Aden Russ Myers, was taken to the hospital Wednesday and couldn't breathe on his own. He was taken off life support the next evening.
The Beaverton police said Friday that 26-year-old Robert Myers first told officers he had fallen asleep on a sofa next to his son and awoke to find the child unresponsive.
The police said the father was arrested after he was questioned a second time.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Beaverton-father-accused-in-infant-son-s-death-4167754.php
Beaverton father accused in infant son's death
Published 10:40 am, Friday, January 4, 2013
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) — Police say a Beaverton father has been accused of murder in the death of his infant child.
Police say the 7-week-old boy, Aden Russ Myers, was taken to the hospital Wednesday and couldn't breathe on his own. He was taken off life support the next evening.
The Beaverton police said Friday that 26-year-old Robert Myers first told officers he had fallen asleep on a sofa next to his son and awoke to find the child unresponsive.
The police said the father was arrested after he was questioned a second time.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Dad sentenced for assaulting infant daughter; girl left with disabilities (Portland, Oregon)
Dad is identified as RODERICK FRIMPONG.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/crime/article/Gresham-dad-sentenced-for-assaulting-baby-4121618.php
Gresham dad sentenced for assaulting baby
Published 8:54 pm, Saturday, December 15, 2012
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Gresham father who violently shook his baby daughter has been sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison.
Roderick Frimpong was sentenced Friday, weeks after a Multnomah County jury found him guilty of first-degree assault.
Police found the 7-month-old girl unconscious on May 9, 2011. Prosecutors say the girl, now 2, doesn't have full use of the right side of her body and her speech is delayed.
The Oregonian reports (http://is.gd/Ibv0Kl ) that the child's mother was visiting a cardiologist on the day of the injury. She later died from complications related to her heart condition. The girl is in state custody.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/crime/article/Gresham-dad-sentenced-for-assaulting-baby-4121618.php
Gresham dad sentenced for assaulting baby
Published 8:54 pm, Saturday, December 15, 2012
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A Gresham father who violently shook his baby daughter has been sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison.
Roderick Frimpong was sentenced Friday, weeks after a Multnomah County jury found him guilty of first-degree assault.
Police found the 7-month-old girl unconscious on May 9, 2011. Prosecutors say the girl, now 2, doesn't have full use of the right side of her body and her speech is delayed.
The Oregonian reports (http://is.gd/Ibv0Kl ) that the child's mother was visiting a cardiologist on the day of the injury. She later died from complications related to her heart condition. The girl is in state custody.
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