After blogging about these kinds of articles for five plus years, it sickens me to see the same crap repeated again and again. Even next to the facts!
The analysis by Peter Jaffe is correct and spot on.
Then what happens? The idiotic reporter describes the relationship between the parents as "volatile" (like a fire?) when IN FACT what you have is a documented history of domestic violence BY the father AGAINST the mother. This was not a case of two "volatile" people or a "volatile relationship." it was a case of a "volatile" violent man. Let's be absolutely clear about that.
And all the charges were "dismissed" by the authorities who consistently refuse to take violence against women seriously, or the tremendous risks that women take in trying to prosecute. But the reporter doesn't go into that either.
So what do they do next? They give the violent abuser joint custody. They CONTINUE TO DO THIS long after the evidence has shown that giving abusers any custodial rights just continues the trauma of women and children and continues the abusive behavior.
This, as critics have repeatedly pointed out for YEARS, is not a "tragedy." Tragedy is a sad conclusion coming about through fate or some random act of the Gods. This is FARCE. Freaking bloody FARCE. The likely outcome to these HUMAN DECISIONS is absolutely predictable, yet the authorities make the same stupid evil decisions again and again and again.
And guess what? A quick search showed that no other news article even MENTIONS that this was a case of a violent man getting child custody. NOT ONE. And that's another way this evil keeps getting perpetuated. Guess what? If you give violent parents access to child victims, the violent parents will continue to be violent. This is not rocket science, folks.
Dad is identified as TRENT SPENCER BUTT.
See the Killer Dads and Custody List for Canada.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/parents-kill-children-why-1.3555456
Parents who kill their children: Why would someone do the unthinkable?
Experts say dads typically do it out of revenge, mental breakdowns most common for moms
By Terry Roberts, CBC News
Posted: Apr 28, 2016 4:11 PM NT| Last Updated: Apr 29, 2016 2:54 PM NT
Five-year-old Quinn Butt died in Carbonear early Sunday, and police allege her death came at the hands of her father, Trent Spencer Butt.
The troubling allegation against Trent Spencer Butt is gut-wrenching, and brings with it a host of sobering and painful questions.
Most notably, why would a parent kill his or her own child? Their own flesh and blood?
That's a question being asked by many throughout Newfoundland and Labrador following an unfathomable tragedy in Carbonear on Sunday.
Police believe 37-year-old Trent Butt killed his five-year-old daughter Quinn and then set fire to his modern home on a quiet street in the Conception Bay North town.
He faces charges of first-degree murder and arson, but neither charge has been proven in court.
Dads a greater threat
Experts have long tried to understand why fathers and mothers commit filicide, the term used when a parent kills their own child.
The answer is difficult to come by, but it's clear that dads are more likely to kill children than moms.
That's the case about 60 per cent of the time, says Peter Jaffe, a professor in the faculty of education at Western University in Ontario.
Research also shows that when dads kill their children, they typically do it out of revenge after a partner has left the relationship, and there is usually a history of domestic violence, said Jaffe.
"The way for the father to get back at the mother for getting out of the relationship is to kill the thing that is most precious to her, which is her child or children," Jaffe told the St. John's Morning Show on Thursday.
Moms typically kill infants
Jaffe said mothers who commit filicide tend to do so following a mental health breakdown, such as postpartum depression, and their victims tend to be younger, usually an infant.
He said fathers typically kill offspring that are older.
"You're dealing with extreme circumstances," noted Jaffe, but he said these cases are rarely out of the blue.
A host of tell-tale signs — prior history of domestic violence, actual or pending separation, depression, stalking and threats — are usually noticed by family, friends and frontline professionals such as social workers and police.
"In Ontario when we find a child killed by a parent, on average there's nine different professionals that have been involved in some way … in the prior years leading up to the homicide," he said.
Because filicide is something most people can't even comprehend, Jaffe said many don't know what to do when they see the warning signs.
He said research shows that greater public awareness is needed, and those close to a situation should encourage a troubled parent to seek help.
"It's essential that the community gets involved. You've often heard that it takes a village to raise a child, well it also take a village to protect a child."
A strained relationship
Firefighters rescued Trent Butt from certain death. He's now in serious condition, but is expected to live. Desperate efforts to save Quinn were unsuccessful.
The tragedy followed the marriage breakup of Quinn's parents, and a custody sharing arrangement that sources say was strained.
Court documents also show the relationship between Butt and his estranged wife was volatile, with Butt charged with three separate counts of assault against the mother dating back to 2013 and 2014. All three charges were dismissed.
The tragedy has rekindled dark memories of the death of Zachary Turner 13 years ago.
The 13-month-old and his mother, Shirley Turner, both died after the mother committed murder-suicide by walking into Conception Bay in August 2003.
Turner was facing extradition to the United States on a charge that she killed her former lover two years prior.
Showing posts with label arson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arson. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Dad in "child custody dispute" nearly succeeds in killing 6-year-old daughter in murder-suicide; protective mother's efforts to protect child blocked by courts (Orlando, Florida)
Once again we have the Clueless Neighbor quote. You know, the once where it is insisted that the child killer (or in this case, would-be child killer) is really a Good Guy.
The mother obviously knew that dad ROBERT MERRITT was potentially dangerous, as she tried to get the courts to give her an emergency child pick-up order, which, of course, the officials denied. This being the state of Florida, a huge fathers rights state and all.
Florida generally leads the U.S. in violent fathers with custody rights who kill children.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-man-child-injured-arson-fire-orlando-20150820-story.html
OPD: Dad allegedly wrote on Facebook he, his daughter were going to 'better place'
Man pulled from fire charged with arson, attempted murder
The man rescued from a house fire Thursday morning along with his 6-year-old daughter was charged with arson and attempted murder.
By David Harris and Stephanie Allen Staff Writer
Orange County Sheriff's Office Officers found girl pressed to window, trying to breathe in burning home
Officers pull 6-year-old girl, her unconscious father from burning home
An Orange County Sheriff's Office dispatcher allegedly wrote in a post on Facebook that he and his daughter were "going to a better place" before setting the house on fire Thursday morning with both of them inside,
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. But before 49-year-old Robert Merritt's alleged wish could become reality, a team of Orlando police officers jumped into action to save Merritt, his 6-year-old daughter and the family dog.
Merritt, who has been a dispatcher with county since 1989, was charged with attempted murder and arson. He remains in critical condition at a local hospital. His daughter was in stable condition and should be OK, officials said.
Mina said there were "multiple points where the fire started." He did not say what accelerant was used.
The officers were responding around 5 a.m. to the home on Betty Street in a neighborhood off Bumby Avenue just north of East Colonial Drive for a well-being check after someone saw the post on Merritt's Facebook page, Mina said.
Sgt. Joe Capece said officers smelled smoke as soon as they got out of their squad cars. The house was dark when officers got there, but they walked around, shining flashlights inside windows. That's when they saw the smoke and the young girl struggling to get air from a small opening in a bedroom window.
Capece and Officer Mike Turner broke the glass, and officers Chris Valenti and Russell Sayer pulled the girl out. She was coughing, and covered in black soot.
Officers then saw Merritt laying on a bed.
They broke another window and dragged him outside, too.
Merritt wasn't breathing so Turner and Officer Kevin Geschke did CPR.
He started breathing just as emergency medical crews arrived and took him to the hospital, police said. Inside the house, officers also found the family's dog — a Labrador mix named Pepper — and pulled it to safety.
At first the dog was struggling to breathe.
"He must have cleared his lungs, because he just popped up and started running around," said Capece.
Animal control took custody of the dog. Capece said the officers acted quickly and efficiently. "I'm very proud of the squad and the way they worked," Capece said. "To be (quick and efficient), that's what it takes to safe lives."
Mina called their actions heroic.
Neighbor Estella Floyd watched the whole incident transpire. She said emergency crews laid Merritt on the grass outside her house and set the girl on her front step.
Floyd said Merritt, who goes by Bobby, and his daughter are always friendly and "very good people." She said Merritt has been in a wheelchair since she met him more than 20 years ago, and she sees the father-daughter duo outside almost every day.
Court records indicate Merritt and his wife, Brenda Merritt, filed for divorce in 2011 and were going through a child custody dispute.
Last week, Brenda Merritt filed a motion for an "emergency pick-up" of a child, but it was apparently denied, court records show.
The mother obviously knew that dad ROBERT MERRITT was potentially dangerous, as she tried to get the courts to give her an emergency child pick-up order, which, of course, the officials denied. This being the state of Florida, a huge fathers rights state and all.
Florida generally leads the U.S. in violent fathers with custody rights who kill children.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-man-child-injured-arson-fire-orlando-20150820-story.html
OPD: Dad allegedly wrote on Facebook he, his daughter were going to 'better place'
Man pulled from fire charged with arson, attempted murder
The man rescued from a house fire Thursday morning along with his 6-year-old daughter was charged with arson and attempted murder.
By David Harris and Stephanie Allen Staff Writer
Orange County Sheriff's Office Officers found girl pressed to window, trying to breathe in burning home
Officers pull 6-year-old girl, her unconscious father from burning home
An Orange County Sheriff's Office dispatcher allegedly wrote in a post on Facebook that he and his daughter were "going to a better place" before setting the house on fire Thursday morning with both of them inside,
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. But before 49-year-old Robert Merritt's alleged wish could become reality, a team of Orlando police officers jumped into action to save Merritt, his 6-year-old daughter and the family dog.
Merritt, who has been a dispatcher with county since 1989, was charged with attempted murder and arson. He remains in critical condition at a local hospital. His daughter was in stable condition and should be OK, officials said.
Mina said there were "multiple points where the fire started." He did not say what accelerant was used.
The officers were responding around 5 a.m. to the home on Betty Street in a neighborhood off Bumby Avenue just north of East Colonial Drive for a well-being check after someone saw the post on Merritt's Facebook page, Mina said.
Sgt. Joe Capece said officers smelled smoke as soon as they got out of their squad cars. The house was dark when officers got there, but they walked around, shining flashlights inside windows. That's when they saw the smoke and the young girl struggling to get air from a small opening in a bedroom window.
Capece and Officer Mike Turner broke the glass, and officers Chris Valenti and Russell Sayer pulled the girl out. She was coughing, and covered in black soot.
Officers then saw Merritt laying on a bed.
They broke another window and dragged him outside, too.
Merritt wasn't breathing so Turner and Officer Kevin Geschke did CPR.
He started breathing just as emergency medical crews arrived and took him to the hospital, police said. Inside the house, officers also found the family's dog — a Labrador mix named Pepper — and pulled it to safety.
At first the dog was struggling to breathe.
"He must have cleared his lungs, because he just popped up and started running around," said Capece.
Animal control took custody of the dog. Capece said the officers acted quickly and efficiently. "I'm very proud of the squad and the way they worked," Capece said. "To be (quick and efficient), that's what it takes to safe lives."
Mina called their actions heroic.
Neighbor Estella Floyd watched the whole incident transpire. She said emergency crews laid Merritt on the grass outside her house and set the girl on her front step.
Floyd said Merritt, who goes by Bobby, and his daughter are always friendly and "very good people." She said Merritt has been in a wheelchair since she met him more than 20 years ago, and she sees the father-daughter duo outside almost every day.
Court records indicate Merritt and his wife, Brenda Merritt, filed for divorce in 2011 and were going through a child custody dispute.
Last week, Brenda Merritt filed a motion for an "emergency pick-up" of a child, but it was apparently denied, court records show.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Dad arrested on six preliminary felony charges in death of 5-month-old son; had previous child abuse record (Muncie, Indiana)
With his record, dad CORY WALLACE should have been barred from any contact with children.
http://www.wthr.com/story/29742148/indianapolis-man-charged-in-infant-sons-death-in-Muncie
Father arrested for 5-month-old son's death in February house fire
Posted: Aug 08, 2015 6:32 PM EDT Updated: Aug 09, 2015 12:39 AM EDT
By Emily Longnecker, WTHR reporter
MUNCIE, Ind. - A 22-year-old Indianapolis man has been arrested on six preliminary felony charges in the death of his 5-month-old son in Muncie in February.
Cory Wallace was arrested Friday night at 8:30 after giving police "multiple versions" of what happened when his son Jensen died.
The baby was found dead in the family's burning home on Feb. 10. That night, Wallace told investigators he’d tried to go back into the South Meeker Street house to save his infant son, but the fire was too much. Now, a forensics pathologist has determined Jensen was dead before the fire started and that Wallace is to blame for the "blunt force trauma to the head" Jensen endured.
“There are two sides to every story, I guess, but it seems pretty cut and dry,” said neighbor Christine Lynch.
Lynch said she remembers the night of the fire and how quickly rescue crews got there to help.
“I thought, 'Something really don’t add up,' because for the quickest time that they got down here, the fire trucks and everything as quick as they got that baby out, there’s no reason that baby shouldn’t have made it,” said Lynch.
Prosecutors agreed, and preliminarily charged Wallace with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, aggravated battery, battery on a child under age 14, arson, attempted abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice - all felonies. He was being held in the Delaware County jail on $150,000 bond.
According to court documents, Wallace eventually admitted he accidentally dropped his son on a hardwood floor. He then told investigators he “freaked out and did not know what to do,” so he put his son in his play pen, checking on him hours later and found him dead.
”He stated he again freaked out and didn’t know what to do," prosecutors said in their probable cause affidavit for Wallace's arrest.
“Later in the evening, he decided to start a fire in [Jensen]’s room.”
This isn't the first time Wallace has been in trouble with the law over a child's welfare. He was charged in Marion County in March 2013 with neglect of a dependent, according to court documents. That case also stemmed from a child Wallace fathered, and was under the age of 1 at the time. He pleaded guilty in January 2015 - one month before the family's home went up in flames.
During the plea hearing for the 2013 case, prosecutors said - and Wallace admitted - he failed to get medical attention for the child even though he had suffered several injuries, including "multiple rib fractures."
In this case, the forensic pathologist found Wallace's son, Jensen, had several injuries, including at least two rib fractures (one older that had healed as well as a fresher injury that had not healed), as well as abrasions and small cuts on his back, chest, neck and scalp. The pathologist found that "many of these abrasions and cuts were consistent with having been made by human fingernails."
Investigators say Wallace admitted he would “snatch” the baby from his wife when they fought, causing some of the injuries. Court documents show Wallace told investigators, ”I don’t know my own strength.”
For neighbors like Lynch who are just learning the details, “That’s horrible. I mean my heart breaks. I mean it’s just horrible and to know it happened this close."
http://www.wthr.com/story/29742148/indianapolis-man-charged-in-infant-sons-death-in-Muncie
Father arrested for 5-month-old son's death in February house fire
Posted: Aug 08, 2015 6:32 PM EDT Updated: Aug 09, 2015 12:39 AM EDT
By Emily Longnecker, WTHR reporter
MUNCIE, Ind. - A 22-year-old Indianapolis man has been arrested on six preliminary felony charges in the death of his 5-month-old son in Muncie in February.
Cory Wallace was arrested Friday night at 8:30 after giving police "multiple versions" of what happened when his son Jensen died.
The baby was found dead in the family's burning home on Feb. 10. That night, Wallace told investigators he’d tried to go back into the South Meeker Street house to save his infant son, but the fire was too much. Now, a forensics pathologist has determined Jensen was dead before the fire started and that Wallace is to blame for the "blunt force trauma to the head" Jensen endured.
“There are two sides to every story, I guess, but it seems pretty cut and dry,” said neighbor Christine Lynch.
Lynch said she remembers the night of the fire and how quickly rescue crews got there to help.
“I thought, 'Something really don’t add up,' because for the quickest time that they got down here, the fire trucks and everything as quick as they got that baby out, there’s no reason that baby shouldn’t have made it,” said Lynch.
Prosecutors agreed, and preliminarily charged Wallace with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, aggravated battery, battery on a child under age 14, arson, attempted abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice - all felonies. He was being held in the Delaware County jail on $150,000 bond.
According to court documents, Wallace eventually admitted he accidentally dropped his son on a hardwood floor. He then told investigators he “freaked out and did not know what to do,” so he put his son in his play pen, checking on him hours later and found him dead.
”He stated he again freaked out and didn’t know what to do," prosecutors said in their probable cause affidavit for Wallace's arrest.
“Later in the evening, he decided to start a fire in [Jensen]’s room.”
This isn't the first time Wallace has been in trouble with the law over a child's welfare. He was charged in Marion County in March 2013 with neglect of a dependent, according to court documents. That case also stemmed from a child Wallace fathered, and was under the age of 1 at the time. He pleaded guilty in January 2015 - one month before the family's home went up in flames.
During the plea hearing for the 2013 case, prosecutors said - and Wallace admitted - he failed to get medical attention for the child even though he had suffered several injuries, including "multiple rib fractures."
In this case, the forensic pathologist found Wallace's son, Jensen, had several injuries, including at least two rib fractures (one older that had healed as well as a fresher injury that had not healed), as well as abrasions and small cuts on his back, chest, neck and scalp. The pathologist found that "many of these abrasions and cuts were consistent with having been made by human fingernails."
Investigators say Wallace admitted he would “snatch” the baby from his wife when they fought, causing some of the injuries. Court documents show Wallace told investigators, ”I don’t know my own strength.”
For neighbors like Lynch who are just learning the details, “That’s horrible. I mean my heart breaks. I mean it’s just horrible and to know it happened this close."
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Dad charged with 2nd-degree murder in fire-related death of 7-year-old daughter (Baldwyn, Mississippi)
Interesting choice of wording here. A "woman" (not the man's wife?) escaped with "her" children. So was she the mother of the 7-year-old? Was dad DAVID FLOYD not the father of the escaped children? Just the 7-year-old girl?
Another one of those cases where the mainstream media chooses to be vague about the family formation.
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/29329742/father-charged-in-fire-related-death-of-7-year-old-daughter
Father Charged In Fire-Related Death Of 7-Year-Old Daughter
Posted: Jun 16, 2015 7:59 AM EDT
Updated: Jun 16, 2015 7:59 AM EDT
BALDWYN, Miss. (AP) - A Baldwyn man has been charged with second-degree murder in the fire-related death of his 7-year-old daughter.
Multiple news outlets report 28-year-old David Floyd was arrested Monday. Authorities say emergency crews responded to a blaze last Tuesday morning and found Floyd's daughter, Savannah, in a bedroom suffering extensive burns. She was taken to LeBonheur Children's Hospital, where she died Monday morning.
A 26-year-old woman was able to escape with her two children, an 18-month-old girl and a 2-month-old boy.
Investigators with the Lee County Sheriff's Department believe Floyd was responsible for the blaze.
The State Fire Marshal's office is investigating and says more charges could be filed.
An autopsy will be conducted on Savannah's body Tuesday.
It is unclear if Floyd has a lawyer.
Another one of those cases where the mainstream media chooses to be vague about the family formation.
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/29329742/father-charged-in-fire-related-death-of-7-year-old-daughter
Father Charged In Fire-Related Death Of 7-Year-Old Daughter
Posted: Jun 16, 2015 7:59 AM EDT
Updated: Jun 16, 2015 7:59 AM EDT
BALDWYN, Miss. (AP) - A Baldwyn man has been charged with second-degree murder in the fire-related death of his 7-year-old daughter.
Multiple news outlets report 28-year-old David Floyd was arrested Monday. Authorities say emergency crews responded to a blaze last Tuesday morning and found Floyd's daughter, Savannah, in a bedroom suffering extensive burns. She was taken to LeBonheur Children's Hospital, where she died Monday morning.
A 26-year-old woman was able to escape with her two children, an 18-month-old girl and a 2-month-old boy.
Investigators with the Lee County Sheriff's Department believe Floyd was responsible for the blaze.
The State Fire Marshal's office is investigating and says more charges could be filed.
An autopsy will be conducted on Savannah's body Tuesday.
It is unclear if Floyd has a lawyer.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Dad who abducted, murdered 1-year-old son had shared custody; protective mom had wanted sole custody, but lost (Urbandale, Illinois)
This is not good reporting. With any understanding of domestic violence and narcissistic personality disorder, you would not make the error of calling this a "troubled relationship" involving a father who "cared for his son."
First of all, there was nothing that was "troubling" about the "relationship" as such. Mom clearly tried to be responsible and do the right thing. She was dealing with a man who could not/would not hold a job, was unreliable, moved in an out of the home on a whim, and ultimately created (unspecified) "domestic disturbances." (I assume that this is a euphemism for domestic violence that the reporters can't bother to follow up on.) No charges followed (typical). So at any rate, the problems clearly laid with the father. Not mom. Not "the relationship."
Mom tried to protect her baby from this unreliable deadbeat and likely abuser by seeking sole custody, but her efforts were defeated. She got stuck with shared custody instead. Needless to say, abusers very typically use "custody disputes" as a way to create anxiety and stress for the mother, especially when the child in question is merely a baby or barely verbal toddler.
The fathers rights people insist that any father with a pulse--no matter how violent, addicted, or crazy--should get joint custody at minimum. (Of course they prefer full father custody so women will be afraid to divorce them, but they don't like that brought out too often in mixed company.)
The predictable result: Daddy's still Not Happy. The self-centered, narcissistic deadbeat dad abducts the 1-year-old son, a baby really, Despite showy displays of affection that fool the babysitter (and very often other people as well), the man is incapable of real love or real empathy for another human being, even his own infant son. Like all sociopaths, he sees people only in terms of how they suit him and feed his narcissistic sense of entitlement. Right now, his only motivation is to punish the mom in the best way he knows how. And that is destroying her baby in a fiery inferno.
This is why fathers like this CAN'T be appeased with joint custody or any move that reinforces their sense of entitlement over other human beings.
Da is identified as ELVIS HABIBOVIC. Now on the Killer Dads and Custody list for Illinois.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2015/06/10/urbandale-amber-alert-death-burned-bodies-logan-habibovic-elvis-habibovic/71013982/
Amber Alert mom: 'What he did was terrible'
Grant Rodgers and Danielle Ferguson, 9:49 a.m. CDT June 11, 2015
HARRISON COUNTY, Mo. – Sheriff Josh Eckerson stood looking at the burned-out remains of a sport-utility vehicle, unsure of what he was seeing.
In the driver's seat was the charred body of an adult — along with what looked like a much smaller body that Eckerson dearly hoped wasn't what he thought.
"I really couldn't determine what it was," he said. "I didn't want to believe it."
When the Amber Alert came about 41/2 hours later from the Urbandale Police Department, Eckerson's fears were realized. He was a witness to the tragic ending to the lives of a 9-month-old boy and the father who abducted him hours earlier and more than 100 miles away.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Jake Angle confirmed Wednesday that the bodies in the vehicle are believed to be little Logan Habibovic and his father, 33-year-old Elvis Habibovic.
Harrison County Coroner Jeremy Eivins said it could take 30 days or more to determine the cause of death because of the condition of the bodies.
But authorities found hosing near the vehicle, leading investigators to believe the two likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust fumes, Eckerson said.
Investigators are continuing to look for answers behind the abduction and deaths. Logan's baby sitter and family friend Angela Charlier said Habibovic's relationship with Logan's mother, Melissa Zeimet, disintegrated last weekend over concerns about money, and he was forced to leave the Urbandale apartment they shared.
"I think he was very depressed," she said. #The baby sitter mourned Wednesday over the boy she'd cared for almost daily. Logan learned to crawl at 6 months. He was tall and skinny for his young age, Charlier said.
"He was pulling himself up on furniture," she said. "He was good at it. He just took off." #Logan would have turned 1 in August.
The abduction timeline
Habibovic picked up the boy around 11 a.m. that day, saying he just wanted to take his son on a walk, according to Charlier and a timeline released by police.
Zeimet called and spoke with Habibovic around 4:15 p.m. to be sure Logan would be home by 8 p.m.
Zeimet called Urbandale police at 8:19 p.m. to report the boy missing. It was only 30 minutes later that authorities in Missouri found a burned-out vehicle at the rural Grand Trace Conservation Area, 10 miles northwest of quiet Bethany, Mo. A passerby on a nearby highway had called the sheriff's department to report a plume of smoke.
Through the night before learning about the fire, Zeimet sent Habibovic frantic text messages, she said Wednesday. At 9:12 p.m., she texted, "How could you?"
Later, at 12:08 a.m., she sent, "If u bring him back safe and sound we make this all go away and you won't have any trouble."
"It was too late," Zeimet said in an interview. "They were already dead."
It would take about five hours before law enforcement in the two states connected the dots. Unaware of the gruesome discovery to their south, Urbandale police got authority to send an Amber Alert at 1:19 a.m. warning law enforcement to be on the lookout for Logan and Habibovic, who were likely traveling in a black 2003 Land Rover Discovery.
Missouri authorities saw that the charred vehicle matched the description from the Amber Alert. A vehicle identification number found on its frame confirmed their suspicion, said Eckerson, the county sheriff of 21/2 years.
Everything else, including the license plates, was destroyed by flames.
Urbandale police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol believe the remains of an infant and adult found in a burned vehicle are related to the Amber Alert issued early Wednesday morning. near Bethany, Missouri. Rodney White/The Register
"When we got the Amber Alert ... then I thought, 'This is probably what we're looking for,' " he said.
At 2 a.m., Eivins arrived and confirmed the second body was a young child's. Around the same time, Missouri authorities called Urbandale police, and two highway patrol officers immediately drove to the Des Moines suburb to do interviews and gather dental and DNA records for comparison.
The state fire marshal's office took evidence from the scene to determine whether any accelerants were used to fuel the fire. The SUV was taken away around 5 a.m.
Investigators are trying to determine how Habibovic and his son ended up in the parking lot of the 1,500-acre public hunting and fishing area, which is so isolated that Eckerson had to lead local responders through the turns, hills and rough roads to the vehicle.
At the site of the fire, a patch of blackened gravel remained and a nearby tree's leaves were singed up to about 15 feet above the ground.
"It's just hard to try to wrap your brain around someone, not only a parent, but any individual who would want to harm a child," Eckerson said. "An innocent individual who hasn't done anything, who really has just started their life. To do this is unbelievable."
#Troubled relationship
The parents met about a decade ago through a friend Zeimet knew at Iowa State University, she said.
Even before Zeimet got pregnant, Habibovic moved in with her in 2013 when he needed a place to stay, she said. It started a pattern: He'd move in with Zeimet for a few months at a time before leaving.
Most recently, he came back to the Urbandale apartment in late April after losing his job with Ankeny-based G & I Trucking, Zeimet said.
"He texted me and said, 'I just got fired, take good care of Logan if I don't make it home.' " Zeimet convinced her child's father to take a Greyhound bus back to the metro and move in, she said.
When she got pregnant with Logan, Habibovic was clear that he wanted her to have the child, she said. It was obvious when the two were together that the father cared for his son, Zeimet said.
She has pictures on her phone of the two together on Memorial Day, and Habibovic holding Logan behind the wheel of the Land Rover that they both died in Tuesday night.
His final act, though, was selfish and evil, Zeimet said.
"Maybe he wasn't a terrible person," she said. "But what he did was terrible."
Zeimet had to force Habibovic out on Sunday after fighting about money, she said. After losing his job at the trucking company, he was making less working for a construction company, she said.
Urbandale police visited Zeimet's Carole Circle apartment Sunday and Monday in response to a report of an "unwanted guest," records show. On Monday, Habibovic had come over claiming he needed a quick shower, but stayed for hours, Zeimet said.
The couple had other tensions in their relationship, records show.
In November, the mother filed a petition in Polk County District Court seeking sole custody of Logan, a move Habibovic initially opposed.
That same month, Urbandale police twice responded to calls at Zeimet's apartment — one for a welfare check and the second for a domestic disturbance. No incident report was taken on either call, according to police records.
Before the parents worked out a shared custody agreement in February, Habibovic successfully asked for a court-ordered genetic test to establish paternity of Logan.
There was an outpouring of condolences in 92 comments on Zeimet's Facebook page after she announced her son's death around 5 a.m.
"This is gut-wrenching," one commenter wrote. "I can't imagine the pain you are facing. Be strong."
Charlier remembered Logan as a happy baby. His active personality led his mother to call him a "little monkey," she said. A photo of Logan sticking his tongue out that was released with an early morning Amber Alert perfectly captured his personality. #He liked stuffed animals and blankets with monkeys on them.
"He always had his little fist in his mouth," Charlier said. "He was very loved."
"He laughed at everything and he was a happy baby," Zeimet said. "He was easy … it was like nature gave me this amazing baby." -- Reporter Danielle Ferguson contributed to this story.
First of all, there was nothing that was "troubling" about the "relationship" as such. Mom clearly tried to be responsible and do the right thing. She was dealing with a man who could not/would not hold a job, was unreliable, moved in an out of the home on a whim, and ultimately created (unspecified) "domestic disturbances." (I assume that this is a euphemism for domestic violence that the reporters can't bother to follow up on.) No charges followed (typical). So at any rate, the problems clearly laid with the father. Not mom. Not "the relationship."
Mom tried to protect her baby from this unreliable deadbeat and likely abuser by seeking sole custody, but her efforts were defeated. She got stuck with shared custody instead. Needless to say, abusers very typically use "custody disputes" as a way to create anxiety and stress for the mother, especially when the child in question is merely a baby or barely verbal toddler.
The fathers rights people insist that any father with a pulse--no matter how violent, addicted, or crazy--should get joint custody at minimum. (Of course they prefer full father custody so women will be afraid to divorce them, but they don't like that brought out too often in mixed company.)
The predictable result: Daddy's still Not Happy. The self-centered, narcissistic deadbeat dad abducts the 1-year-old son, a baby really, Despite showy displays of affection that fool the babysitter (and very often other people as well), the man is incapable of real love or real empathy for another human being, even his own infant son. Like all sociopaths, he sees people only in terms of how they suit him and feed his narcissistic sense of entitlement. Right now, his only motivation is to punish the mom in the best way he knows how. And that is destroying her baby in a fiery inferno.
This is why fathers like this CAN'T be appeased with joint custody or any move that reinforces their sense of entitlement over other human beings.
Da is identified as ELVIS HABIBOVIC. Now on the Killer Dads and Custody list for Illinois.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2015/06/10/urbandale-amber-alert-death-burned-bodies-logan-habibovic-elvis-habibovic/71013982/
Amber Alert mom: 'What he did was terrible'
Grant Rodgers and Danielle Ferguson, 9:49 a.m. CDT June 11, 2015
HARRISON COUNTY, Mo. – Sheriff Josh Eckerson stood looking at the burned-out remains of a sport-utility vehicle, unsure of what he was seeing.
In the driver's seat was the charred body of an adult — along with what looked like a much smaller body that Eckerson dearly hoped wasn't what he thought.
"I really couldn't determine what it was," he said. "I didn't want to believe it."
When the Amber Alert came about 41/2 hours later from the Urbandale Police Department, Eckerson's fears were realized. He was a witness to the tragic ending to the lives of a 9-month-old boy and the father who abducted him hours earlier and more than 100 miles away.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Jake Angle confirmed Wednesday that the bodies in the vehicle are believed to be little Logan Habibovic and his father, 33-year-old Elvis Habibovic.
Harrison County Coroner Jeremy Eivins said it could take 30 days or more to determine the cause of death because of the condition of the bodies.
But authorities found hosing near the vehicle, leading investigators to believe the two likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust fumes, Eckerson said.
Investigators are continuing to look for answers behind the abduction and deaths. Logan's baby sitter and family friend Angela Charlier said Habibovic's relationship with Logan's mother, Melissa Zeimet, disintegrated last weekend over concerns about money, and he was forced to leave the Urbandale apartment they shared.
"I think he was very depressed," she said. #The baby sitter mourned Wednesday over the boy she'd cared for almost daily. Logan learned to crawl at 6 months. He was tall and skinny for his young age, Charlier said.
"He was pulling himself up on furniture," she said. "He was good at it. He just took off." #Logan would have turned 1 in August.
The abduction timeline
Habibovic picked up the boy around 11 a.m. that day, saying he just wanted to take his son on a walk, according to Charlier and a timeline released by police.
Zeimet called and spoke with Habibovic around 4:15 p.m. to be sure Logan would be home by 8 p.m.
Zeimet called Urbandale police at 8:19 p.m. to report the boy missing. It was only 30 minutes later that authorities in Missouri found a burned-out vehicle at the rural Grand Trace Conservation Area, 10 miles northwest of quiet Bethany, Mo. A passerby on a nearby highway had called the sheriff's department to report a plume of smoke.
Through the night before learning about the fire, Zeimet sent Habibovic frantic text messages, she said Wednesday. At 9:12 p.m., she texted, "How could you?"
Later, at 12:08 a.m., she sent, "If u bring him back safe and sound we make this all go away and you won't have any trouble."
"It was too late," Zeimet said in an interview. "They were already dead."
It would take about five hours before law enforcement in the two states connected the dots. Unaware of the gruesome discovery to their south, Urbandale police got authority to send an Amber Alert at 1:19 a.m. warning law enforcement to be on the lookout for Logan and Habibovic, who were likely traveling in a black 2003 Land Rover Discovery.
Missouri authorities saw that the charred vehicle matched the description from the Amber Alert. A vehicle identification number found on its frame confirmed their suspicion, said Eckerson, the county sheriff of 21/2 years.
Everything else, including the license plates, was destroyed by flames.
Urbandale police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol believe the remains of an infant and adult found in a burned vehicle are related to the Amber Alert issued early Wednesday morning. near Bethany, Missouri. Rodney White/The Register
"When we got the Amber Alert ... then I thought, 'This is probably what we're looking for,' " he said.
At 2 a.m., Eivins arrived and confirmed the second body was a young child's. Around the same time, Missouri authorities called Urbandale police, and two highway patrol officers immediately drove to the Des Moines suburb to do interviews and gather dental and DNA records for comparison.
The state fire marshal's office took evidence from the scene to determine whether any accelerants were used to fuel the fire. The SUV was taken away around 5 a.m.
Investigators are trying to determine how Habibovic and his son ended up in the parking lot of the 1,500-acre public hunting and fishing area, which is so isolated that Eckerson had to lead local responders through the turns, hills and rough roads to the vehicle.
At the site of the fire, a patch of blackened gravel remained and a nearby tree's leaves were singed up to about 15 feet above the ground.
"It's just hard to try to wrap your brain around someone, not only a parent, but any individual who would want to harm a child," Eckerson said. "An innocent individual who hasn't done anything, who really has just started their life. To do this is unbelievable."
#Troubled relationship
The parents met about a decade ago through a friend Zeimet knew at Iowa State University, she said.
Even before Zeimet got pregnant, Habibovic moved in with her in 2013 when he needed a place to stay, she said. It started a pattern: He'd move in with Zeimet for a few months at a time before leaving.
Most recently, he came back to the Urbandale apartment in late April after losing his job with Ankeny-based G & I Trucking, Zeimet said.
"He texted me and said, 'I just got fired, take good care of Logan if I don't make it home.' " Zeimet convinced her child's father to take a Greyhound bus back to the metro and move in, she said.
When she got pregnant with Logan, Habibovic was clear that he wanted her to have the child, she said. It was obvious when the two were together that the father cared for his son, Zeimet said.
She has pictures on her phone of the two together on Memorial Day, and Habibovic holding Logan behind the wheel of the Land Rover that they both died in Tuesday night.
His final act, though, was selfish and evil, Zeimet said.
"Maybe he wasn't a terrible person," she said. "But what he did was terrible."
Zeimet had to force Habibovic out on Sunday after fighting about money, she said. After losing his job at the trucking company, he was making less working for a construction company, she said.
Urbandale police visited Zeimet's Carole Circle apartment Sunday and Monday in response to a report of an "unwanted guest," records show. On Monday, Habibovic had come over claiming he needed a quick shower, but stayed for hours, Zeimet said.
The couple had other tensions in their relationship, records show.
In November, the mother filed a petition in Polk County District Court seeking sole custody of Logan, a move Habibovic initially opposed.
That same month, Urbandale police twice responded to calls at Zeimet's apartment — one for a welfare check and the second for a domestic disturbance. No incident report was taken on either call, according to police records.
Before the parents worked out a shared custody agreement in February, Habibovic successfully asked for a court-ordered genetic test to establish paternity of Logan.
There was an outpouring of condolences in 92 comments on Zeimet's Facebook page after she announced her son's death around 5 a.m.
"This is gut-wrenching," one commenter wrote. "I can't imagine the pain you are facing. Be strong."
Charlier remembered Logan as a happy baby. His active personality led his mother to call him a "little monkey," she said. A photo of Logan sticking his tongue out that was released with an early morning Amber Alert perfectly captured his personality. #He liked stuffed animals and blankets with monkeys on them.
"He always had his little fist in his mouth," Charlier said. "He was very loved."
"He laughed at everything and he was a happy baby," Zeimet said. "He was easy … it was like nature gave me this amazing baby." -- Reporter Danielle Ferguson contributed to this story.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Dad kills 9-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter despite order of protection, supervised visitation (New Zealand)
Lots of crocodile tears here by moronic officials who refused to act on any number of red flag, refused to look at all the evidence, ignored the mother's concerns, and thus allowed two kids be viciously murdered by their father.
Dad is identified as EDWARD LIVINGSTONE.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/68011537/killer-dad-edward-livingstone-high-risk
Killer dad Edward Livingstone 'high risk'
A Dunedin inquest into the deaths of the Livingstone children has ended with top officials fighting back tears.
Bradley, 9, and his sister Ellen, 6, were shot dead by Livingstone at their home in the Dunedin suburb of St Leonards, shortly before 10pm on January 15 last year.
Livingstone, 51, was later found dead in the front bedroom of the house at 9 Kiwi St. A shotgun lay next to him.
He left a final note at his flat before the killings.
Katharine Webb, Livingstone's former wife and the mother of Bradley and Ellen, was the first of 18 witnesses called to give evidence at an inquest into the three deaths, which began on Tuesday in Dunedin.
She escaped the shooting unharmed.
OFFICIALS EMOTIONAL AS INQUEST CLOSES
Chief Coroner Deborah Marshall on Friday closed the inquest and reserved her decision.
She thanked Katharine Webb for her quiet dignity.
It reminded everyone "how much you have suffered", Marshall said, voice breaking.
Shortly before, Southern District Commander Andrew Coster underlined the emotional weight of the inquiry by also fighting back tears as he defended the police performance under a grilling from Webb's lawyer Anne Stevens. Police were "totally committed" to do better but "we can't change what happened", he said.
Coster said he had moved to close the cracks the Livingstone case had highlighted and more resources had been allocated to family violence in the district.
Police received 2000 family violence reports per year just in its Dunedin office.
Coster said if Livingstone's convictions in Australia from 1988 (arson and assault) had been known to the court dealing with his protection order breach, it was still questionable whether it would have made a difference.
At the time of the hearing, police still needed to know more about the convictions and the circumstances.
He said the information had come from a cell interview for intelligence purposes and entered into the police intelligence system..
If the officer he had known more detail about the case, it might have been an error not to have taken further action. In a best case scenario, a family violence meeting co-ordinator would have noticed the new information and followed it up.
The police prosecutor who opposed a discharge without conviction for Livingstone's second breach of his protection order could have sought an adjournment to investigate further his convictions in Australia.
"It's most likely it would have been granted."
Two constables who attended an incident at Livingstone's house on August 7 and were handed empty bullet shells which Livingstone had given his children, should have recorded it.
"It was a very significant matter and staff did not attach sufficient weight to it."
The fact police did not investigate a rape allegation by Webb was a failure and too much reliance was placed on Webb's desire not to take it further.
Police and other agencies did have a level of awareness of risk factors in the case and "there were a lot of things in place that led this group to believe the case was well managed."
Nothing of great significance suggested an major escalation of risk, he said.
"But if the police had taken ownership of the rape there is a distinct possibility we would not be here?" Stevens said.
Police would have needed a reliable confession from Livingstone to proceed with a prosecution if his wife did not want to pursue charges.
"I accept if convicted he would be in custody."
He agreed complainants could change their mind. Webb had engaged with Women's Refuge, she had a protection order, Livingstone had engaged with Emergency Psychiatric Services and the children were in a programme.
He was not sure much more could have been done.
"You can't make the right call in every instance."
Even if Livingstone had not received a discharge without conviction, he would almost certainly not have gone to prison, Coster said.
But each little step made here ultimately affected the outcome, Stevens said. Coster said it was unfair to assume outcomes would have been different if the case was handled better.
In other evidence, Mel Foot, who lived next door to the Livingstone house, remained adamant she had telephoned police in August to tell them about a threat Livingstone made to kill his family with an axe.
She had also told two constables who attended an incident at the Livingstone house on August 7.
"I'd warned everybody but nobody listened."
Coster said police were unable to verify Foot's claim.
LIVINGSTONE WAS 'HIGH RISK'
On Friday, former Dunedin probation officer Liqueshia Dougherty told the inquest she was briefed about Livingstone at an inter-agency family violence meeting about a week after he had breached a protection order on August 6, 2013, preventing him from contacting Webb.
The meeting was attended by several agencies including Police, Corrections, Child, Youth and Family and Women's Refuge. Dougherty noted on a document that she was told Livingstone was considered "high risk" and had narcissistic personality disorder, a high sense of entitlement and refused to accept his relationship with Webb was over.
She also noted that he had given his children bullet casings at a supervised visit as a "message for her [Webb]".
It was brought to her attention that Livingstone worked at Otago Correctional Facility and she made a note so she could pass it on to management at the prison.
"At the time it seemed like I was the only person in the room that wasn't aware of the information.
"Everybody seemed quite concerned. People felt there was more underneath it."
Dougherty said the reference to the bullet casings made her particularly concerned.
She did not recall knowing anything about an allegation that Livingstone had raped Webb.
Minutes of the meeting noted there had been two family violence incidents involving Livingstone and Webb, most recently on May 27.
They also noted that Livingstone had mental health issues and Women's Refuge was working closely with Webb who had written about wanting to end her relationship.
Livingstone's name was added to a high risk register.
People on that register were "kept a closer eye on", Dougherty said.
It indicated an issue that needed more intervention.
There were 31 new family violence related matters discussed at the meeting.
KEY POINTS FROM DAY ONE
* Katharine Webb said Edward Livingstone raped her in May 2013 shortly before they separated. She did not pursue charges because she wanted to focus on getting out of the house and keeping her children safe. She knew where to go for help if needed.
* In 2013, Livingstone twice (August 6-7 and September 14) breached a protection order preventing him from contacting Webb in the months before the shooting. He obtained police diversion on one charge and a discharge without conviction on the other.
* Livingstone had an historic conviction for arson in Australia dating back to 1988. The court heard he set fire to his former fiance's home after coming home to find her in bed with another man.
* Livingstone gave bullet casings to his children during a supervised visit after he separated from Webb.
* Livingstone told associates he had thoughts about killing his family and himself in the months before the shooting. Livingstone's neighbour Mel Foot said she contacted police in August 2013 and told them that Livingstone had talked about killing his family. Foot alleged the complaint was never followed up by police.
* Psychiatrist Christopher Wisely was unaware of Livingstone's historic conviction for arson or the incident involving the bullet casings. If Wisely had known it may have altered the risk assessment he gave to a judge at a sentencing hearing at Dunedin District Court on November 15, 2013, in relation to the second breach of the protection order. Livingstone was discharged without conviction.
* Police prosecutor Sergeant Kate Saxton said she was not fully aware of Livingstone's criminal offending in Australia at the time of the hearing. She could have sought an adjournment on the matter until she was sent all the information, but decided not to. Interpol sent her a copy of Livingstone's Australian criminal history on December 9. Saxton conceded that the information could have altered the outcome of the sentencing.
* Saxton also told the court that Livingstone should not have received diversion for the first breach of the protection order. Diversion was not available for breaching a court order, she said.
* Wisely said Edward Livingstone sourced the shotgun used in the shooting from a former flatmate's home. The flatmate did not know Livingstone had taken the gun until police came to his home after the shooting.
KEY POINTS FROM DAY TWO
* Southern District Commander Andrew Coster said police had failed to pick up red flags in the case and the Criminal Investigation Branch should have investigated an allegation, admitted by Livingstone, that he had brutally raped his wife Katharine in May, 2013. The police effort was well intentioned but inadequate and too much weight had been given to Katharine Webb's wishes. Livingstone should not have been considered eligible for diversion and police should have pursued the allegation despite the victim's desire not to pursue the allegation. Steps had been taken to address the failures, he said, with a specialist investigation unit set up.
* Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis, of the Dunedin police, admitted a series of significant failings by police staff who dealt with Livingstone and his family in the months before the shooting. Police had failed to follow-up in a timely way information Livingstone had an arson conviction in Australia. Bullet casings Livingstone gave to his children at a supervised visit and then handed to police should have been investigated.
* Livingstone drove to the Kiwi St property with a red fuel container full of petrol, a shotgun stolen from his former flatmate and ammunition. There were beers in the car, but blood tests would later show he was not over the legal limit. Livingstone entered the house through a side door using a key before shooting his children in their bedrooms.
* Police investigations showed Livingstone claimed he was abused at a boys' school in Sydney and had a violent father. His mother left the family when he was very young. He has a younger sister called Suzanne.
* Police received information, probably on August 8 last year, that Livingstone was harassing his former wife's neighbour by phone calls and text messages mainly wanting to know if his wife was still wearing her wedding ring. Police were also told Livingstone was sneaking around his former family home when his wife was at work. The informant (name suppressed) told police Livingstone was, "f...... nuts".
* The general practitioner treating Livingstone says she doubts the drugs she prescribed on May 16, 2013 (zyban and escitalopram) could have caused a psychotic episode leading him to rape his wife. He had not reported problems with past use of zyban. Livingstone's psychiatrist Chris Wisely believes Livingstone had an adverse reaction to the drugs that led to the rape his wife. The couple separated after the rape.
KEY POINTS FROM DAY THREE
* Livingstone deceived his psychotherapist by not telling her fully about his past or the full details of the incidents relating to his first breach of a protection order. The psychotherapist, whose name is suppressed, did not seek details of the police case and provided a letter, which was later produced in court, saying she did not believe Livingstone was a violent man, despite knowing he had raped Webb. Livingstone once told the psychotherapist he was a "sex addict".
* Barnardos employee Rebecca Cadogan, who supervised five of Livingstone's six arranged visits with Bradley and Ellen, said she was not surprised to learn he had killed his children. Cadogan said she had seen Livingstone become very aggressive and dominating during one of the sessions and instinctively thought of him when she heard about the shooting.
* Former flatmate Philip Mans said Livingstone's drinking increased while they lived together to a point, in the months before the shooting, where he could hardly stand some evenings and went to bed very depressed. Livingstone stole the gun used in the shooting from Mans' locked gun safe. Mans said he felt Livingstone had deceived and manipulated him.
* Forensic psychiatrist Dr David Chaplow said a clinical review identified that elements of Livingstone's care were inadequate. The review's main finding was that information held by various clinicians about Livingstone could have been shared better. Collectively they failed to ascertain Livingstone's danger to Webb. He had deceived them. However, while Livingstone's care could have been better, the review found there was nothing clinicians could have done to change the end result.
* Mark Godwin, from the Department of Corrections, said during Livingstone's recruitment for a job at Otago Correctional Facility checks indicated he had no criminal convictions, nor did he declare any. If the department had been aware Livingstone had an historic conviction for arson in Australia he may not have been hired. In December 2013, Livingstone received a final warning from Corrections after he was was discharged without conviction for breaching a protection order. If Livingstone had been convicted he may have lost his job, Godwin said.
Coster said Mel Foot's claim she told the police on August 8, 2013, about Livingstone wanting to kill his family with an axe emerged through the media.
Police investigated the claim thoroughly but nothing was available to verify the claim.
Police had gone through the calls made by Foot from her telephone and she had accepted no call had been made to convey the information.
She now maintained she had told police in person when officers called at the address on August 7, Coster said..
However the officers had no recollection of that information and believed they would have recorded such a significant thing.
Coster said Mel Foot's claim she told the police on August 8, 2013, about Livingstone wanting to kill his family with an axe emerged through the media.
Police investigated the claim thoroughly but nothing was available to verify the claim.
Police had gone through the calls made by Foot from her telephone and she had accepted no call had been made to convey the information.
She now maintained she had told police in person when officers called at the address on August 7, Coster said..
However the officers had no recollection of that information and believed they would have recorded such a significant thing.
Dad is identified as EDWARD LIVINGSTONE.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/68011537/killer-dad-edward-livingstone-high-risk
Killer dad Edward Livingstone 'high risk'
A Dunedin inquest into the deaths of the Livingstone children has ended with top officials fighting back tears.
Bradley, 9, and his sister Ellen, 6, were shot dead by Livingstone at their home in the Dunedin suburb of St Leonards, shortly before 10pm on January 15 last year.
Livingstone, 51, was later found dead in the front bedroom of the house at 9 Kiwi St. A shotgun lay next to him.
He left a final note at his flat before the killings.
Katharine Webb, Livingstone's former wife and the mother of Bradley and Ellen, was the first of 18 witnesses called to give evidence at an inquest into the three deaths, which began on Tuesday in Dunedin.
She escaped the shooting unharmed.
OFFICIALS EMOTIONAL AS INQUEST CLOSES
Chief Coroner Deborah Marshall on Friday closed the inquest and reserved her decision.
She thanked Katharine Webb for her quiet dignity.
It reminded everyone "how much you have suffered", Marshall said, voice breaking.
Shortly before, Southern District Commander Andrew Coster underlined the emotional weight of the inquiry by also fighting back tears as he defended the police performance under a grilling from Webb's lawyer Anne Stevens. Police were "totally committed" to do better but "we can't change what happened", he said.
Coster said he had moved to close the cracks the Livingstone case had highlighted and more resources had been allocated to family violence in the district.
Police received 2000 family violence reports per year just in its Dunedin office.
Coster said if Livingstone's convictions in Australia from 1988 (arson and assault) had been known to the court dealing with his protection order breach, it was still questionable whether it would have made a difference.
At the time of the hearing, police still needed to know more about the convictions and the circumstances.
He said the information had come from a cell interview for intelligence purposes and entered into the police intelligence system..
If the officer he had known more detail about the case, it might have been an error not to have taken further action. In a best case scenario, a family violence meeting co-ordinator would have noticed the new information and followed it up.
The police prosecutor who opposed a discharge without conviction for Livingstone's second breach of his protection order could have sought an adjournment to investigate further his convictions in Australia.
"It's most likely it would have been granted."
Two constables who attended an incident at Livingstone's house on August 7 and were handed empty bullet shells which Livingstone had given his children, should have recorded it.
"It was a very significant matter and staff did not attach sufficient weight to it."
The fact police did not investigate a rape allegation by Webb was a failure and too much reliance was placed on Webb's desire not to take it further.
Police and other agencies did have a level of awareness of risk factors in the case and "there were a lot of things in place that led this group to believe the case was well managed."
Nothing of great significance suggested an major escalation of risk, he said.
"But if the police had taken ownership of the rape there is a distinct possibility we would not be here?" Stevens said.
Police would have needed a reliable confession from Livingstone to proceed with a prosecution if his wife did not want to pursue charges.
"I accept if convicted he would be in custody."
He agreed complainants could change their mind. Webb had engaged with Women's Refuge, she had a protection order, Livingstone had engaged with Emergency Psychiatric Services and the children were in a programme.
He was not sure much more could have been done.
"You can't make the right call in every instance."
Even if Livingstone had not received a discharge without conviction, he would almost certainly not have gone to prison, Coster said.
But each little step made here ultimately affected the outcome, Stevens said. Coster said it was unfair to assume outcomes would have been different if the case was handled better.
In other evidence, Mel Foot, who lived next door to the Livingstone house, remained adamant she had telephoned police in August to tell them about a threat Livingstone made to kill his family with an axe.
She had also told two constables who attended an incident at the Livingstone house on August 7.
"I'd warned everybody but nobody listened."
Coster said police were unable to verify Foot's claim.
LIVINGSTONE WAS 'HIGH RISK'
On Friday, former Dunedin probation officer Liqueshia Dougherty told the inquest she was briefed about Livingstone at an inter-agency family violence meeting about a week after he had breached a protection order on August 6, 2013, preventing him from contacting Webb.
The meeting was attended by several agencies including Police, Corrections, Child, Youth and Family and Women's Refuge. Dougherty noted on a document that she was told Livingstone was considered "high risk" and had narcissistic personality disorder, a high sense of entitlement and refused to accept his relationship with Webb was over.
She also noted that he had given his children bullet casings at a supervised visit as a "message for her [Webb]".
It was brought to her attention that Livingstone worked at Otago Correctional Facility and she made a note so she could pass it on to management at the prison.
"At the time it seemed like I was the only person in the room that wasn't aware of the information.
"Everybody seemed quite concerned. People felt there was more underneath it."
Dougherty said the reference to the bullet casings made her particularly concerned.
She did not recall knowing anything about an allegation that Livingstone had raped Webb.
Minutes of the meeting noted there had been two family violence incidents involving Livingstone and Webb, most recently on May 27.
They also noted that Livingstone had mental health issues and Women's Refuge was working closely with Webb who had written about wanting to end her relationship.
Livingstone's name was added to a high risk register.
People on that register were "kept a closer eye on", Dougherty said.
It indicated an issue that needed more intervention.
There were 31 new family violence related matters discussed at the meeting.
KEY POINTS FROM DAY ONE
* Katharine Webb said Edward Livingstone raped her in May 2013 shortly before they separated. She did not pursue charges because she wanted to focus on getting out of the house and keeping her children safe. She knew where to go for help if needed.
* In 2013, Livingstone twice (August 6-7 and September 14) breached a protection order preventing him from contacting Webb in the months before the shooting. He obtained police diversion on one charge and a discharge without conviction on the other.
* Livingstone had an historic conviction for arson in Australia dating back to 1988. The court heard he set fire to his former fiance's home after coming home to find her in bed with another man.
* Livingstone gave bullet casings to his children during a supervised visit after he separated from Webb.
* Livingstone told associates he had thoughts about killing his family and himself in the months before the shooting. Livingstone's neighbour Mel Foot said she contacted police in August 2013 and told them that Livingstone had talked about killing his family. Foot alleged the complaint was never followed up by police.
* Psychiatrist Christopher Wisely was unaware of Livingstone's historic conviction for arson or the incident involving the bullet casings. If Wisely had known it may have altered the risk assessment he gave to a judge at a sentencing hearing at Dunedin District Court on November 15, 2013, in relation to the second breach of the protection order. Livingstone was discharged without conviction.
* Police prosecutor Sergeant Kate Saxton said she was not fully aware of Livingstone's criminal offending in Australia at the time of the hearing. She could have sought an adjournment on the matter until she was sent all the information, but decided not to. Interpol sent her a copy of Livingstone's Australian criminal history on December 9. Saxton conceded that the information could have altered the outcome of the sentencing.
* Saxton also told the court that Livingstone should not have received diversion for the first breach of the protection order. Diversion was not available for breaching a court order, she said.
* Wisely said Edward Livingstone sourced the shotgun used in the shooting from a former flatmate's home. The flatmate did not know Livingstone had taken the gun until police came to his home after the shooting.
KEY POINTS FROM DAY TWO
* Southern District Commander Andrew Coster said police had failed to pick up red flags in the case and the Criminal Investigation Branch should have investigated an allegation, admitted by Livingstone, that he had brutally raped his wife Katharine in May, 2013. The police effort was well intentioned but inadequate and too much weight had been given to Katharine Webb's wishes. Livingstone should not have been considered eligible for diversion and police should have pursued the allegation despite the victim's desire not to pursue the allegation. Steps had been taken to address the failures, he said, with a specialist investigation unit set up.
* Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis, of the Dunedin police, admitted a series of significant failings by police staff who dealt with Livingstone and his family in the months before the shooting. Police had failed to follow-up in a timely way information Livingstone had an arson conviction in Australia. Bullet casings Livingstone gave to his children at a supervised visit and then handed to police should have been investigated.
* Livingstone drove to the Kiwi St property with a red fuel container full of petrol, a shotgun stolen from his former flatmate and ammunition. There were beers in the car, but blood tests would later show he was not over the legal limit. Livingstone entered the house through a side door using a key before shooting his children in their bedrooms.
* Police investigations showed Livingstone claimed he was abused at a boys' school in Sydney and had a violent father. His mother left the family when he was very young. He has a younger sister called Suzanne.
* Police received information, probably on August 8 last year, that Livingstone was harassing his former wife's neighbour by phone calls and text messages mainly wanting to know if his wife was still wearing her wedding ring. Police were also told Livingstone was sneaking around his former family home when his wife was at work. The informant (name suppressed) told police Livingstone was, "f...... nuts".
* The general practitioner treating Livingstone says she doubts the drugs she prescribed on May 16, 2013 (zyban and escitalopram) could have caused a psychotic episode leading him to rape his wife. He had not reported problems with past use of zyban. Livingstone's psychiatrist Chris Wisely believes Livingstone had an adverse reaction to the drugs that led to the rape his wife. The couple separated after the rape.
KEY POINTS FROM DAY THREE
* Livingstone deceived his psychotherapist by not telling her fully about his past or the full details of the incidents relating to his first breach of a protection order. The psychotherapist, whose name is suppressed, did not seek details of the police case and provided a letter, which was later produced in court, saying she did not believe Livingstone was a violent man, despite knowing he had raped Webb. Livingstone once told the psychotherapist he was a "sex addict".
* Barnardos employee Rebecca Cadogan, who supervised five of Livingstone's six arranged visits with Bradley and Ellen, said she was not surprised to learn he had killed his children. Cadogan said she had seen Livingstone become very aggressive and dominating during one of the sessions and instinctively thought of him when she heard about the shooting.
* Former flatmate Philip Mans said Livingstone's drinking increased while they lived together to a point, in the months before the shooting, where he could hardly stand some evenings and went to bed very depressed. Livingstone stole the gun used in the shooting from Mans' locked gun safe. Mans said he felt Livingstone had deceived and manipulated him.
* Forensic psychiatrist Dr David Chaplow said a clinical review identified that elements of Livingstone's care were inadequate. The review's main finding was that information held by various clinicians about Livingstone could have been shared better. Collectively they failed to ascertain Livingstone's danger to Webb. He had deceived them. However, while Livingstone's care could have been better, the review found there was nothing clinicians could have done to change the end result.
* Mark Godwin, from the Department of Corrections, said during Livingstone's recruitment for a job at Otago Correctional Facility checks indicated he had no criminal convictions, nor did he declare any. If the department had been aware Livingstone had an historic conviction for arson in Australia he may not have been hired. In December 2013, Livingstone received a final warning from Corrections after he was was discharged without conviction for breaching a protection order. If Livingstone had been convicted he may have lost his job, Godwin said.
Coster said Mel Foot's claim she told the police on August 8, 2013, about Livingstone wanting to kill his family with an axe emerged through the media.
Police investigated the claim thoroughly but nothing was available to verify the claim.
Police had gone through the calls made by Foot from her telephone and she had accepted no call had been made to convey the information.
She now maintained she had told police in person when officers called at the address on August 7, Coster said..
However the officers had no recollection of that information and believed they would have recorded such a significant thing.
Coster said Mel Foot's claim she told the police on August 8, 2013, about Livingstone wanting to kill his family with an axe emerged through the media.
Police investigated the claim thoroughly but nothing was available to verify the claim.
Police had gone through the calls made by Foot from her telephone and she had accepted no call had been made to convey the information.
She now maintained she had told police in person when officers called at the address on August 7, Coster said..
However the officers had no recollection of that information and believed they would have recorded such a significant thing.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Dad in "custody battle" murders 9- and 12-year-old sons (United Kingdom)
A lot of unquestioned fathers rights spin here. Poor (killer) daddy was "worried" about maintaining child access. This is nonsense. Darren Sykes is a deliberate, cold-blooded child killer who should have been denied all child access. No access=no victims.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2976087/Newly-divorced-father-used-new-train-set-loft-lure-two-young-sons-deaths-arson-attack-worried-access-rights.html?ito=social-facebook
Custody battle father used new train set in the loft to lure his two young sons to their deaths in arson attack on his home
Darren Sykes, 44, died alongside his two sons in a house fire in October
He had barricaded them into the attic of his property in south Yorkshire
Lured the children with an £800 train set bought on the morning of death
Evidence showed eldest son, 12, tried to escape by opening attic hatch
He died in hospital five days later while younger brother died at the scene
An inquest heard newly-divorced father was worried about custody rights
Family court liaisons met with police two days before to discuss the case
By Jennifer Smith for MailOnline Published: 13:28 EST, 2 March 2015 | Updated: 16:45 EST, 2 March 2015
A newly-divorced father who used a train set to lure his two young sons to their deaths in a 'terrible' arson attack had been worried about his access rights to the children, an inquest has heard.
Darren Sykes died alongside Paul, nine, and Jack, 12, after setting a fire in his home and locking himself and the boys in the attic.
The 44-year-old had been worried about how much he would be able to see the children after recently divorcing from their mother, Sheffield Coroner's Court heard.
Mr Sykes died in the attic after inhaling smoke while Paul's body was found near the edge of the loft.
Jack, who was found unconscious next to its hatch door, died in hospital five days later.
In the days before his death the father of two from Penistone, south Yorkshire, sent letters to a bank telling them he 'would not be alive' to pay his mortgage.
On October 22, when the three were killed in the fire, he sent a text message to a handful of friends saying 'he was going to be at peace'.
Concluding that the carpet estimator had intended to take his own life, Sheffield coroner Chris Dorries said: 'The whole business is absolutely terrible. Following a police statement which described the ongoing custody battle between Mr Sykes and his estranged wife Claire, he added: 'He may have taken the view he would have less access.'
On the morning of his death Mr Sykes spent £800 on a model railway track before sending text messages to both his sons asking them to visit him at his house that day.
Before luring them into the attic he sprayed four cans of petrol across the ground floor of the house and barricaded doors with furniture.
He had also tied the front and back garden gates with cord to prevent anyone from accessing the property.
'The door to the stairs had been wedged to stop anyone coming down and there were chairs behind the front door as if to prevent people coming in,' said special fire investigator Michael Mason.
Evidence suggested Mr Sykes's eldest son Jack made a desperate attempt to escape as flames ravaged the floors beneath them.
'At some point during the fire the loft hatch was closed and then opened during the fire which allowed a plume of smoke with gases to enter the loft.
'It was a natural reaction to try to get out.'
Explaining how investigators knew it was Jack rather than his father of young brother who tried to escape, he added: 'Opening the hatch made the position untenable.'
Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Dorries said it was 'abundantly clear' Mr Sykes had set the fire which killed him and his two sons.
'All three were inside the loft with the hatch closed when the fire took hold.
'There is no evidence that it was set by anyone else other than Mr Sykes. He intended to take his own life.'
An inquest into the boys’ deaths will be held later this week.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2976087/Newly-divorced-father-used-new-train-set-loft-lure-two-young-sons-deaths-arson-attack-worried-access-rights.html?ito=social-facebook
Custody battle father used new train set in the loft to lure his two young sons to their deaths in arson attack on his home
Darren Sykes, 44, died alongside his two sons in a house fire in October
He had barricaded them into the attic of his property in south Yorkshire
Lured the children with an £800 train set bought on the morning of death
Evidence showed eldest son, 12, tried to escape by opening attic hatch
He died in hospital five days later while younger brother died at the scene
An inquest heard newly-divorced father was worried about custody rights
Family court liaisons met with police two days before to discuss the case
By Jennifer Smith for MailOnline Published: 13:28 EST, 2 March 2015 | Updated: 16:45 EST, 2 March 2015
A newly-divorced father who used a train set to lure his two young sons to their deaths in a 'terrible' arson attack had been worried about his access rights to the children, an inquest has heard.
Darren Sykes died alongside Paul, nine, and Jack, 12, after setting a fire in his home and locking himself and the boys in the attic.
The 44-year-old had been worried about how much he would be able to see the children after recently divorcing from their mother, Sheffield Coroner's Court heard.
Mr Sykes died in the attic after inhaling smoke while Paul's body was found near the edge of the loft.
Jack, who was found unconscious next to its hatch door, died in hospital five days later.
In the days before his death the father of two from Penistone, south Yorkshire, sent letters to a bank telling them he 'would not be alive' to pay his mortgage.
On October 22, when the three were killed in the fire, he sent a text message to a handful of friends saying 'he was going to be at peace'.
Concluding that the carpet estimator had intended to take his own life, Sheffield coroner Chris Dorries said: 'The whole business is absolutely terrible. Following a police statement which described the ongoing custody battle between Mr Sykes and his estranged wife Claire, he added: 'He may have taken the view he would have less access.'
On the morning of his death Mr Sykes spent £800 on a model railway track before sending text messages to both his sons asking them to visit him at his house that day.
Before luring them into the attic he sprayed four cans of petrol across the ground floor of the house and barricaded doors with furniture.
He had also tied the front and back garden gates with cord to prevent anyone from accessing the property.
'The door to the stairs had been wedged to stop anyone coming down and there were chairs behind the front door as if to prevent people coming in,' said special fire investigator Michael Mason.
Evidence suggested Mr Sykes's eldest son Jack made a desperate attempt to escape as flames ravaged the floors beneath them.
'At some point during the fire the loft hatch was closed and then opened during the fire which allowed a plume of smoke with gases to enter the loft.
'It was a natural reaction to try to get out.'
Explaining how investigators knew it was Jack rather than his father of young brother who tried to escape, he added: 'Opening the hatch made the position untenable.'
Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Dorries said it was 'abundantly clear' Mr Sykes had set the fire which killed him and his two sons.
'All three were inside the loft with the hatch closed when the fire took hold.
'There is no evidence that it was set by anyone else other than Mr Sykes. He intended to take his own life.'
An inquest into the boys’ deaths will be held later this week.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Dad with history of "child custody issues" jailed for murders of three children, their mother (Port Lavaca, Texas)
Come on, folks, This isn't rocket science. The motive is pretty clear. It's a classic child-custody related familicide. It's all about abuse and control.
Dad is identified as JONATHAN COMANCHO.
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/state/family-killedfather-charged_14848543
Signs of distress preceded deaths Port Lavaca father faces murder charges
By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:22 PM, Jan 16, 2015
PORT LAVACA — Investigators say deputies were twice called to a South Texas home on child custody issues the night before a woman and her three young children were found dead inside, but a motive behind the killings remains unclear.
Jonathan Camacho remained jailed Friday on a murder charge in the death of his 23-year-old wife, Dulce Cumpean-Camacho, and capital murder charges in the deaths of the three children: 4-year-old son Zavier Camacho, 1-year-old Sierra Camacho and 3-month-old Faith Camacho.
Calhoun County Sheriff George Aleman said deputies were twice summoned Sunday night to a home in Port Lavaca on child custody issues, The Victoria Advocate reported. But early Monday, firefighters were called to a fire at a one-room shed where the family lived. The four bodies were found in the debris.
“Initial reports from family members were that people were inside the residence,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Deputies, assisted by Texas Rangers, later determined the deaths were homicides. Preliminary results from autopsies determined that the victims were stabbed, according to a statement released Thursday.
The home was on a compound where other relatives also lived.
“We knew (Jonathan) loved them. If we would have thought they weren’t safe, we would have made him leave,” said Yesica Cumpean, 25, the slain woman’s sister.
An arrest warrant was sealed by a judge for 30 days at the request of law enforcement, the newspaper reported.
Dad is identified as JONATHAN COMANCHO.
http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/state/family-killedfather-charged_14848543
Signs of distress preceded deaths Port Lavaca father faces murder charges
By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:22 PM, Jan 16, 2015
PORT LAVACA — Investigators say deputies were twice called to a South Texas home on child custody issues the night before a woman and her three young children were found dead inside, but a motive behind the killings remains unclear.
Jonathan Camacho remained jailed Friday on a murder charge in the death of his 23-year-old wife, Dulce Cumpean-Camacho, and capital murder charges in the deaths of the three children: 4-year-old son Zavier Camacho, 1-year-old Sierra Camacho and 3-month-old Faith Camacho.
Calhoun County Sheriff George Aleman said deputies were twice summoned Sunday night to a home in Port Lavaca on child custody issues, The Victoria Advocate reported. But early Monday, firefighters were called to a fire at a one-room shed where the family lived. The four bodies were found in the debris.
“Initial reports from family members were that people were inside the residence,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Deputies, assisted by Texas Rangers, later determined the deaths were homicides. Preliminary results from autopsies determined that the victims were stabbed, according to a statement released Thursday.
The home was on a compound where other relatives also lived.
“We knew (Jonathan) loved them. If we would have thought they weren’t safe, we would have made him leave,” said Yesica Cumpean, 25, the slain woman’s sister.
An arrest warrant was sealed by a judge for 30 days at the request of law enforcement, the newspaper reported.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Suit: DCFS contractor negligent before dad set two kids on fire (Cook County, Illinois)
Another case where the dad's rights trumped the rights of everybody else.
Dad is identified as NATHANIEL BELER.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/7/71/245088/suit-dcfs-contractor-negligent-father-set-two-children-fire
Suit: DCFS contractor negligent before father set two children on fire
Posted: 12/29/2014, 08:07pm | Sam Charles
The county-appointed public guardian of a boy and girl who were set on fire by their father in late 2012 is suing a DCFS-contracted welfare agency, alleging its negligence led to the death of one child and the severe, ongoing injuries of the other.
Robert F. Harris, the appointed estate administrator of Nariyah Beler and the public guardian of her brother Naciere, filed the lawsuit Monday in Cook County Circuit Court against the Humboldt Park-based welfare agency Association House.
On Dec. 28, 2012, Nathaniel Beler set his two children, their mother and himself on fire at his mother’s West Side home, the suit stated. His daughter, 4-year-old Nariyah, and her mother, Taniya Johnson, died. His son Naciere, then 9, suffered burns to more than 40 percent of his body.
Beler’s death was ruled a suicide by self-immolation, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
In the months that led up to the fatal arson, Harris alleges, Association House and several of its employees breached duties that could have prevented Nariyah’s death and Naciere’s injuries.
DCFS recommended that Beler – a diagnosed schizophrenic and PCP addict with a history of going off his medication – should see his two children only in the company of a caseworker and in a “neutral” public place, the suit stated.
Under pressure from Beler, the assigned Association House caseworker allowed him to see his children at his mother’s house, the eventual scene of the fatal fire, the suit stated.
“Association House ignored or downplayed the severe danger that Mr. Beler posed,” the suit claims.
During an argument with Johnson in September 2012, Beler threatened to kill himself and his two children by pouring gasoline on them and lighting a match, the suit stated. Beler showed her two cans of gasoline, but she persuaded him to let her leave the home and go to work.
Once Johnson – who left her two children alone with Beler – got to work, her co-workers told her to call the police, leading to a standoff that eventually resulted in the safe release of both children and Beler’s involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital, the suit stated. There was enough gasoline in the home’s bathtub “to level the building.”
Association House knew Beler had a history of violent, erractic behavior when he was off his medication and no one from the agency ever tried to determine if he still was taking his prescriptions, the suit claims.
The agency also took Beler at his word when he said he was no longer using PCP and did not ever screen his urine to confirm he wasn’t using drugs, the suit alleges.
A representative from Association House could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
The six-count wrongful death and negligence suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
Dad is identified as NATHANIEL BELER.
http://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/7/71/245088/suit-dcfs-contractor-negligent-father-set-two-children-fire
Suit: DCFS contractor negligent before father set two children on fire
Posted: 12/29/2014, 08:07pm | Sam Charles
The county-appointed public guardian of a boy and girl who were set on fire by their father in late 2012 is suing a DCFS-contracted welfare agency, alleging its negligence led to the death of one child and the severe, ongoing injuries of the other.
Robert F. Harris, the appointed estate administrator of Nariyah Beler and the public guardian of her brother Naciere, filed the lawsuit Monday in Cook County Circuit Court against the Humboldt Park-based welfare agency Association House.
On Dec. 28, 2012, Nathaniel Beler set his two children, their mother and himself on fire at his mother’s West Side home, the suit stated. His daughter, 4-year-old Nariyah, and her mother, Taniya Johnson, died. His son Naciere, then 9, suffered burns to more than 40 percent of his body.
Beler’s death was ruled a suicide by self-immolation, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
In the months that led up to the fatal arson, Harris alleges, Association House and several of its employees breached duties that could have prevented Nariyah’s death and Naciere’s injuries.
DCFS recommended that Beler – a diagnosed schizophrenic and PCP addict with a history of going off his medication – should see his two children only in the company of a caseworker and in a “neutral” public place, the suit stated.
Under pressure from Beler, the assigned Association House caseworker allowed him to see his children at his mother’s house, the eventual scene of the fatal fire, the suit stated.
“Association House ignored or downplayed the severe danger that Mr. Beler posed,” the suit claims.
During an argument with Johnson in September 2012, Beler threatened to kill himself and his two children by pouring gasoline on them and lighting a match, the suit stated. Beler showed her two cans of gasoline, but she persuaded him to let her leave the home and go to work.
Once Johnson – who left her two children alone with Beler – got to work, her co-workers told her to call the police, leading to a standoff that eventually resulted in the safe release of both children and Beler’s involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital, the suit stated. There was enough gasoline in the home’s bathtub “to level the building.”
Association House knew Beler had a history of violent, erractic behavior when he was off his medication and no one from the agency ever tried to determine if he still was taking his prescriptions, the suit claims.
The agency also took Beler at his word when he said he was no longer using PCP and did not ever screen his urine to confirm he wasn’t using drugs, the suit alleges.
A representative from Association House could not be reached for comment Monday evening.
The six-count wrongful death and negligence suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
"Caring" dad murder two kids and their mother; sets house on fire (Tampa, Florida)
Additional evidence that if you're a father--especially if you're rich and white--it doesn't matter what scummy things you do. You'll still be characterized in the media as a "caring, involved father"--instead a of ruthless thug and killer who slaughtered his two kids and their mother.
Dad is identified as DARRIN CAMPBELL.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/b7e8a17ab3994625b0700b41158d5d0d/FL--Fire-Family-Dead
Detectives find no motive to family's murder-suicide in Tampa mansion
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 05, 2014 - 3:16 pm EST
TAMPA, Florida — Hillsborough County deputies have ended their investigation into a family's murder-suicide in May inside a Tampa mansion and have found no motive.
Detectives say 49-year-old Darrin Campbell shot his 51-year-old wife Kimberly, their 18-year-old son Collin and 16-year-old daughter Megan. Then he spread fireworks and gasoline through the house, started a fire and turned the gun on himself.
Officials released the investigative documents Wednesday.
Autopsy reports show Campbell's wife and children were each shot once in the head.
Authorities say Campbell bought a .40-caliber handgun and $600 in fireworks in the weeks before the shootings.
He was described as a caring, involved father.
The family was renting a $1.6 million home from retired tennis player James Blake.
Dad is identified as DARRIN CAMPBELL.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/b7e8a17ab3994625b0700b41158d5d0d/FL--Fire-Family-Dead
Detectives find no motive to family's murder-suicide in Tampa mansion
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 05, 2014 - 3:16 pm EST
TAMPA, Florida — Hillsborough County deputies have ended their investigation into a family's murder-suicide in May inside a Tampa mansion and have found no motive.
Detectives say 49-year-old Darrin Campbell shot his 51-year-old wife Kimberly, their 18-year-old son Collin and 16-year-old daughter Megan. Then he spread fireworks and gasoline through the house, started a fire and turned the gun on himself.
Officials released the investigative documents Wednesday.
Autopsy reports show Campbell's wife and children were each shot once in the head.
Authorities say Campbell bought a .40-caliber handgun and $600 in fireworks in the weeks before the shootings.
He was described as a caring, involved father.
The family was renting a $1.6 million home from retired tennis player James Blake.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Dad convicted of capital murder for stabbing-arson deaths of 13-month-old son and his mother; wanted to avoid child support (For Worth, Texas)
A fairly timely update to a case we have been following since 2011. Dad THOMAS OLIVAS was convicted of capital murder in the deaths of his 13-month-old son and the baby's mother--and all because he wanted to avoid child support.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/10/02/6169693/jury-begins-deliberation-in-arlington.html
Bedford man convicted of capital murder for killing a girlfriend and their son
Posted Thursday, Oct. 02, 2014
By Mitch Mitchell
FORT WORTH — A Bedford man whose life got complicated because he had children with two girlfriends was convicted of capital murder Thursday for killing one of the women and their son.
Thomas Olivas, 31, was automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally stabbing former girlfriend Mechelle Gandy, 26, of Arlington, and then setting her apartment on fire, which killed their 13-month-old son, Asher Olivas, on March 20, 2011.
Olivas knew that Gandy had been in touch with the Texas attorney general’s office to try to get him to pay child support for Asher, and he was about to be forced to take a paternity test, prosecutor Kevin Rousseau told jurors during the trial that began Sept. 9.
Also, Gandy forwarded nude pictures of Olivas to Rebeca Raudry, the mother of Olivas’ other child, and Raudry confronted Olivas about the pictures, Rousseau said. Olivas told Raudry that Gandy must have hacked his phone and sent the pictures, but Raudry said she didn’t believe him, so Olivas threw her and her two children out of the house in the middle of the night, Rousseau said.
These events infuriated Olivas, but there was no reason to kill Asher, Rousseau said.
“There are two human beings who have been erased from the face of the planet,” Rousseau said. “That baby could have never pointed a finger at anybody. He owed that baby money. Don’t let him go.”
On the night of March 20, 2011, emergency responders to a fire call at apartments in the 2200 block of President’s Corner Drive in north Arlington quickly found Gandy, who had been stabbed several times. Several hours later, they found Asher in the debris near his burned up crib. He died of burns, the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office reported.
“This man called Asher ‘the devil’s child’ and repeatedly asked Mechelle to get an abortion, to destroy Asher,” said prosecutor Tamla Ray. “He claimed to acknowledge Asher as his son but didn’t want Asher to have his last name.”
Prosecutors were not seeking the death penalty.
Olivas’ attorneys said no physical evidence tied him to the two deaths. The indictment against Olivas was a result of tunnel vision by investigators who failed to develop alternative theories or suspects in these murders, according to Joetta Keene and Tim Moore.
Keene said investigators could have built a case against Raudry just as easily as they built a case against Olivas using circumstantial evidence and innuendo. Burglars could have come into Gandy’s apartment and set the fire to destroy evidence, Keene said. Gandy’s wallet was missing and there were pry marks on the back door of her apartment, Keene said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the presumption of innocence alone is enough to exonerate Thomas,” Keene said.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/10/02/6169693/jury-begins-deliberation-in-arlington.html
Bedford man convicted of capital murder for killing a girlfriend and their son
Posted Thursday, Oct. 02, 2014
By Mitch Mitchell
FORT WORTH — A Bedford man whose life got complicated because he had children with two girlfriends was convicted of capital murder Thursday for killing one of the women and their son.
Thomas Olivas, 31, was automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for fatally stabbing former girlfriend Mechelle Gandy, 26, of Arlington, and then setting her apartment on fire, which killed their 13-month-old son, Asher Olivas, on March 20, 2011.
Olivas knew that Gandy had been in touch with the Texas attorney general’s office to try to get him to pay child support for Asher, and he was about to be forced to take a paternity test, prosecutor Kevin Rousseau told jurors during the trial that began Sept. 9.
Also, Gandy forwarded nude pictures of Olivas to Rebeca Raudry, the mother of Olivas’ other child, and Raudry confronted Olivas about the pictures, Rousseau said. Olivas told Raudry that Gandy must have hacked his phone and sent the pictures, but Raudry said she didn’t believe him, so Olivas threw her and her two children out of the house in the middle of the night, Rousseau said.
These events infuriated Olivas, but there was no reason to kill Asher, Rousseau said.
“There are two human beings who have been erased from the face of the planet,” Rousseau said. “That baby could have never pointed a finger at anybody. He owed that baby money. Don’t let him go.”
On the night of March 20, 2011, emergency responders to a fire call at apartments in the 2200 block of President’s Corner Drive in north Arlington quickly found Gandy, who had been stabbed several times. Several hours later, they found Asher in the debris near his burned up crib. He died of burns, the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office reported.
“This man called Asher ‘the devil’s child’ and repeatedly asked Mechelle to get an abortion, to destroy Asher,” said prosecutor Tamla Ray. “He claimed to acknowledge Asher as his son but didn’t want Asher to have his last name.”
Prosecutors were not seeking the death penalty.
Olivas’ attorneys said no physical evidence tied him to the two deaths. The indictment against Olivas was a result of tunnel vision by investigators who failed to develop alternative theories or suspects in these murders, according to Joetta Keene and Tim Moore.
Keene said investigators could have built a case against Raudry just as easily as they built a case against Olivas using circumstantial evidence and innuendo. Burglars could have come into Gandy’s apartment and set the fire to destroy evidence, Keene said. Gandy’s wallet was missing and there were pry marks on the back door of her apartment, Keene said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the presumption of innocence alone is enough to exonerate Thomas,” Keene said.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Judge denies bail to dad accused of killing 6-month-old son, baby's mother in arson-murder (Columbus, Georgia)
Dad is identified as BRANDON CONNER.
http://m.wtvm.com/wtvm/db_330878/contentdetail.htm?full=true&contentguid=jCQEh2hy&pn=&ps=#display
Judge denies bond for father accused in double homicide
Roslyn Giles Posted: 09/23/2014 6:47 AM
COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - New details have been released in a double homicide case involving a Columbus mother and her son. The prosecutor in the case, Don Kelly, told the court more charges will be filed against the child's father, Brandon Conner.
It is the first time we heard anything about possible arson related charges since Rosella Mitchell and Dylan were killed and left to burn inside their Winifred Lane home on Aug. 22.
The information was revealed during a bond hearing Monday, Sept. 22. Conner held his head down during the entire proceeding listening as his attorney William Kendrick argued that his client is not a flight risk.
Kendrick also pointed out that Conner has not been charged with arson... a key part of the case since prosecutor maintain the fire was deliberately set to cover up the murders. That's when Kelly made it know that the charges are forthcoming in the case.
"It's of course interesting there were no facts to support it in the beginning. So it may be more of a getting an indictment that's congruent with the case as oppose to a charge that's by any real evidence," explained Kendrick.
Prosecuting attorney, Don Kelly told the judge he is opposed to Conner getting out on bond and that he is a great flight risk based on the charges and what he could be facing in the future.
Detective Valerie Holder also told the court a knife was found in the defendant's BMW and a large amount of blood was on his person when police stopped him last month. It was around the same time the remains of Conner's girlfriend and his six month old son were found inside their burning house on Winifred Lane.
Rosella Mitchell had been stabbed, but Dylan's death is still undetermined. Holder also said Conner was sweating and extremely nervous. He was taken into custody on unrelated charges.
But in the end, Judge Bill Rumer denied the request for bond. Conner's attorney William Kendrick said they will try for it again in 120 days, when the judge said the request could be revisited.
http://m.wtvm.com/wtvm/db_330878/contentdetail.htm?full=true&contentguid=jCQEh2hy&pn=&ps=#display
Judge denies bond for father accused in double homicide
Roslyn Giles Posted: 09/23/2014 6:47 AM
COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - New details have been released in a double homicide case involving a Columbus mother and her son. The prosecutor in the case, Don Kelly, told the court more charges will be filed against the child's father, Brandon Conner.
It is the first time we heard anything about possible arson related charges since Rosella Mitchell and Dylan were killed and left to burn inside their Winifred Lane home on Aug. 22.
The information was revealed during a bond hearing Monday, Sept. 22. Conner held his head down during the entire proceeding listening as his attorney William Kendrick argued that his client is not a flight risk.
Kendrick also pointed out that Conner has not been charged with arson... a key part of the case since prosecutor maintain the fire was deliberately set to cover up the murders. That's when Kelly made it know that the charges are forthcoming in the case.
"It's of course interesting there were no facts to support it in the beginning. So it may be more of a getting an indictment that's congruent with the case as oppose to a charge that's by any real evidence," explained Kendrick.
Prosecuting attorney, Don Kelly told the judge he is opposed to Conner getting out on bond and that he is a great flight risk based on the charges and what he could be facing in the future.
Detective Valerie Holder also told the court a knife was found in the defendant's BMW and a large amount of blood was on his person when police stopped him last month. It was around the same time the remains of Conner's girlfriend and his six month old son were found inside their burning house on Winifred Lane.
Rosella Mitchell had been stabbed, but Dylan's death is still undetermined. Holder also said Conner was sweating and extremely nervous. He was taken into custody on unrelated charges.
But in the end, Judge Bill Rumer denied the request for bond. Conner's attorney William Kendrick said they will try for it again in 120 days, when the judge said the request could be revisited.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Dad tortures Mom to death in front of two kids; mom had filled for divorce, order of protection (Ozark, Missouri)
Horrendous...yet was absolutely preventable. Fathers with past histories of violence are ESPECIALLY dangerous after the mother has left. That is why the authorities need to keep these guys locked up and away from the mother and children.
Dad is identified as AARON WAYNE CLEMONS.
http://www.hngn.com/articles/34544/20140625/missouri-man-charged-gagging-beating-wife-before-killing.htm
Missouri Man Charged for Torturing and Beating his Wife to Death
By Vishakha Sonawane | Jun 25, 2014 07:09 AM EDT
A Missouri man beat his wife to death and set his Ozark, Missouri, home on fire to cover up. He was arrested and charged with murder, Monday.
Aaron Wayne Clemons, 31, gagged and beat his wife Bailey Clemons Saturday, June 14. Their two children, a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, were at home and witnessed their father hitting their mother.
Clemons' house at 205 E. McCracken Road in Ozark was burned June 16, Monday. Stone County police said they initially believed the house was empty when the fire broke out. However, upon investigation the authorities recovered the body of Bailey. They found she was gagged with a sock, tied behind her head and the authorities also found a belt around her neck. Christian County coroner Brad Cole said that DNA results confirmed the dead body was that of Bailey Clemons, reports OzarksFIRST.com.
According to the police statement, Clemons called 911 Monday and said he was injured in a fire. Following this, he was taken to Springfield Hospital. Authorities said Clemons apparently told the hospital officials that he set the house on fire to cover up Bailey's death. He was arrested at the hospital.
Upon interrogation, Clemons told police that his children were at the camp ground in Stone County. During that time, he said, he tied his wife to the pole in the basement and set the house on fire after she died. He also told the officials that he did not know the cause of her death.
KSDK.com reports, the probable cause statement shows that Clemons said he "taped his wife's whole body to a pole by wrapping her around her feet, knees, butt, jaw and head with boxing tape in the basement." He talked to her for a while and went upstairs to get some ice. He saw Bailey dead after he returned.
The statement further read that the state Fire Marshal investigator found two melted gasoline containers near the body in the basement of the house.
Clemons is charged with first degree murder, kidnapping, armed criminal action, arson and several counts of child endangerment.
The children told the investigators that their father tortured their mother. They said their mother came home Saturday morning and their father talked to her. Shortly after, they began fighting. The children said their dad was "sitting on her (mother) and beating her."
The daughter said she heard "her mom crying and her dad hitting her mom and her mom saying 'I'm bleeding,' 'I'm bleeding' and her 'daddy said it's going to get worser.'" The little girl then said she saw her father forcing her mother to the basement. She said her mom told her to inform the neighbors and get the police; but her father told the two children to go to their rooms, reports KY3.
The daughter then "described the defendant yanking her mom down to the basement and that she could hear him putting the duct tape on her mom and her mom screaming."
According to the court records, Bailey filed for divorce from Clemons in April, 2013. The case had been on hold since June, 2013. In 2010, she sought a protection order against Clemons in Green County. She had told the authorities that he assaulted her in March at their Ozark home.
Dad is identified as AARON WAYNE CLEMONS.
http://www.hngn.com/articles/34544/20140625/missouri-man-charged-gagging-beating-wife-before-killing.htm
Missouri Man Charged for Torturing and Beating his Wife to Death
By Vishakha Sonawane | Jun 25, 2014 07:09 AM EDT
A Missouri man beat his wife to death and set his Ozark, Missouri, home on fire to cover up. He was arrested and charged with murder, Monday.
Aaron Wayne Clemons, 31, gagged and beat his wife Bailey Clemons Saturday, June 14. Their two children, a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy, were at home and witnessed their father hitting their mother.
Clemons' house at 205 E. McCracken Road in Ozark was burned June 16, Monday. Stone County police said they initially believed the house was empty when the fire broke out. However, upon investigation the authorities recovered the body of Bailey. They found she was gagged with a sock, tied behind her head and the authorities also found a belt around her neck. Christian County coroner Brad Cole said that DNA results confirmed the dead body was that of Bailey Clemons, reports OzarksFIRST.com.
According to the police statement, Clemons called 911 Monday and said he was injured in a fire. Following this, he was taken to Springfield Hospital. Authorities said Clemons apparently told the hospital officials that he set the house on fire to cover up Bailey's death. He was arrested at the hospital.
Upon interrogation, Clemons told police that his children were at the camp ground in Stone County. During that time, he said, he tied his wife to the pole in the basement and set the house on fire after she died. He also told the officials that he did not know the cause of her death.
KSDK.com reports, the probable cause statement shows that Clemons said he "taped his wife's whole body to a pole by wrapping her around her feet, knees, butt, jaw and head with boxing tape in the basement." He talked to her for a while and went upstairs to get some ice. He saw Bailey dead after he returned.
The statement further read that the state Fire Marshal investigator found two melted gasoline containers near the body in the basement of the house.
Clemons is charged with first degree murder, kidnapping, armed criminal action, arson and several counts of child endangerment.
The children told the investigators that their father tortured their mother. They said their mother came home Saturday morning and their father talked to her. Shortly after, they began fighting. The children said their dad was "sitting on her (mother) and beating her."
The daughter said she heard "her mom crying and her dad hitting her mom and her mom saying 'I'm bleeding,' 'I'm bleeding' and her 'daddy said it's going to get worser.'" The little girl then said she saw her father forcing her mother to the basement. She said her mom told her to inform the neighbors and get the police; but her father told the two children to go to their rooms, reports KY3.
The daughter then "described the defendant yanking her mom down to the basement and that she could hear him putting the duct tape on her mom and her mom screaming."
According to the court records, Bailey filed for divorce from Clemons in April, 2013. The case had been on hold since June, 2013. In 2010, she sought a protection order against Clemons in Green County. She had told the authorities that he assaulted her in March at their Ozark home.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Child porn found on dad's computer at least 17 months before dad killed two sons during "supervised" visitation; FBI "forgot" to tell anybody (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Child pornographer and child killer JOSH POWELL was just coddled from beginning to end, wasn't he? He was never held accountable for one single thing he did.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023795429_joshpowellpornxml.html
Originally published June 7, 2014 at 10:06 PM | Page modified June 7, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Child-porn discovery on Josh Powell’s computer might have averted death of boys
The FBI found child pornography while investigating Josh Powell in the 2009 disappearance of his wife, Susan Powell, according to documents. Josh Powell killed himself and his children in 2012.
Seattle Times
SALT LAKE CITY — Investigators found child pornography on Josh Powell’s computer at least 17 months before he killed his children and himself, according to FBI documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.
The paper reported Saturday that documents show the FBI was investigating Powell in the disappearance of his wife, Susan Powell, who was last seen at her West Valley City, Utah, home on Dec. 6, 2009, as well as for possession of child pornography.
Anne Bremner, an attorney for Susan Powell’s parents, said the family was never told the FBI was investigating Josh Powell for child pornography. If the state of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services had known about the suspected child pornography, Bremner said, it “never would have let him have those kids.”
When a state worker delivered 7-year-old Charlie and 5-year-old Braden to Josh Powell’s rented home in Graham, Pierce County, on Feb. 5, 2012, Josh Powell locked out the worker and ignited a fire that killed him and his sons.
Powell for years had been considered a person of interest in his wife’s disappearance, and eventually he moved back to the Puyallup area, where both his father and his wife’s parents lived.
He lost custody of the boys after his father was arrested for possessing child pornography in another house they previously shared. The boys were in the custody of the state, but living with Susan Powell’s parents. However, Josh Powell was allowed supervised visitation.
Shortly before their deaths, Charlie and Braden Powell had begun talking to their grandparents about things they remembered from the night their mother vanished, a lawyer for the grandparents has said.
On the day of the fire, a state contract worker from Foster Care Resource Network brought the boys for a visit to Powell’s house. Powell answered the door, pulled the boys inside, slammed the door and locked it. The caseworker banged on doors and windows and called 911, but soon smelled gasoline and the fire erupted.
Josh Powell had been previously linked to child pornography, The Tribune reported. At hearings in Washington state to determine custody of his children, then-Assistant Washington Attorney General John M. Long said Powell was under investigation for child pornography after cartoon images of incest between mothers and children were found on his computer in late 2009 or early 2010.
The paper reported that the FBI appeared to be trying to discover what other images might be on Josh Powell’s computer, but the machine had been successfully encrypted by Powell.
Last month, a federal judge ruled that insurance proceeds from the fatal fire could be split between Josh Powell’s parents and sister and Susan Powell’s family.
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023795429_joshpowellpornxml.html
Originally published June 7, 2014 at 10:06 PM | Page modified June 7, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Child-porn discovery on Josh Powell’s computer might have averted death of boys
The FBI found child pornography while investigating Josh Powell in the 2009 disappearance of his wife, Susan Powell, according to documents. Josh Powell killed himself and his children in 2012.
Seattle Times
SALT LAKE CITY — Investigators found child pornography on Josh Powell’s computer at least 17 months before he killed his children and himself, according to FBI documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.
The paper reported Saturday that documents show the FBI was investigating Powell in the disappearance of his wife, Susan Powell, who was last seen at her West Valley City, Utah, home on Dec. 6, 2009, as well as for possession of child pornography.
Anne Bremner, an attorney for Susan Powell’s parents, said the family was never told the FBI was investigating Josh Powell for child pornography. If the state of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services had known about the suspected child pornography, Bremner said, it “never would have let him have those kids.”
When a state worker delivered 7-year-old Charlie and 5-year-old Braden to Josh Powell’s rented home in Graham, Pierce County, on Feb. 5, 2012, Josh Powell locked out the worker and ignited a fire that killed him and his sons.
Powell for years had been considered a person of interest in his wife’s disappearance, and eventually he moved back to the Puyallup area, where both his father and his wife’s parents lived.
He lost custody of the boys after his father was arrested for possessing child pornography in another house they previously shared. The boys were in the custody of the state, but living with Susan Powell’s parents. However, Josh Powell was allowed supervised visitation.
Shortly before their deaths, Charlie and Braden Powell had begun talking to their grandparents about things they remembered from the night their mother vanished, a lawyer for the grandparents has said.
On the day of the fire, a state contract worker from Foster Care Resource Network brought the boys for a visit to Powell’s house. Powell answered the door, pulled the boys inside, slammed the door and locked it. The caseworker banged on doors and windows and called 911, but soon smelled gasoline and the fire erupted.
Josh Powell had been previously linked to child pornography, The Tribune reported. At hearings in Washington state to determine custody of his children, then-Assistant Washington Attorney General John M. Long said Powell was under investigation for child pornography after cartoon images of incest between mothers and children were found on his computer in late 2009 or early 2010.
The paper reported that the FBI appeared to be trying to discover what other images might be on Josh Powell’s computer, but the machine had been successfully encrypted by Powell.
Last month, a federal judge ruled that insurance proceeds from the fatal fire could be split between Josh Powell’s parents and sister and Susan Powell’s family.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Dad turns himself in for murder of 2-year-old daughter (Johannesburg, South Africa)
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Dad-hands-himself-in-for-daughters-murder-20140526
Dad hands himself in for daughter's murder
2014-05-26 19:32
Johannesburg - A 33-year-old man who allegedly killed his 2-year-old daughter handed himself over to police on Monday, Limpopo police said.
"It is alleged the suspect went to his 23-year-old girlfriend's house at Madibeng village in Bolobedu on Sunday night, [and] an argument allegedly ensued between him and his girlfriend's 42-year-old father," said police spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi.
He said the man took out a knife and allegedly stabbed his girlfriend and her father several times.
"The two fled the scene with stab wounds, leaving the 2-year-old in the house, the suspect then vented his anger on his daughter by allegedly crashing her against the wall before setting the house alight with the little girl inside," said Mulaudzi.
He said the girl suffered serious burn wounds and was pronounced dead on arrival at Ga-Kgapane Hospital.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola said the trend of people venting their anger on innocent children had to end.
"This disturbing trend of people venting their anger on innocent children has to end, this is the third child we have lost in two weeks," said Masemola.
He said he would have used all the resources at his disposal to arrest the man, if he had not handed himself over to police.
The two adults who were stabbed were taken to hospital and are recovering.
- SAPA
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Dad-hands-himself-in-for-daughters-murder-20140526
Dad hands himself in for daughter's murder
2014-05-26 19:32
Johannesburg - A 33-year-old man who allegedly killed his 2-year-old daughter handed himself over to police on Monday, Limpopo police said.
"It is alleged the suspect went to his 23-year-old girlfriend's house at Madibeng village in Bolobedu on Sunday night, [and] an argument allegedly ensued between him and his girlfriend's 42-year-old father," said police spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi.
He said the man took out a knife and allegedly stabbed his girlfriend and her father several times.
"The two fled the scene with stab wounds, leaving the 2-year-old in the house, the suspect then vented his anger on his daughter by allegedly crashing her against the wall before setting the house alight with the little girl inside," said Mulaudzi.
He said the girl suffered serious burn wounds and was pronounced dead on arrival at Ga-Kgapane Hospital.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola said the trend of people venting their anger on innocent children had to end.
"This disturbing trend of people venting their anger on innocent children has to end, this is the third child we have lost in two weeks," said Masemola.
He said he would have used all the resources at his disposal to arrest the man, if he had not handed himself over to police.
The two adults who were stabbed were taken to hospital and are recovering.
- SAPA
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Dad in court for abducting 3-year-old daughter, abandoning her in burning car (Australia)
UNNAMED DAD.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/father-to-face-court-on-wednesday-over-crash-involving-his-daughter-20140422-3727g.html
Father to face court on Wednesday over crash involving his daughter
Date April 22, 2014 - 4:22PM
Aleisha Orr Reporter, WA Today
A man alleged to have fled a burning car with his three-year-old daughter still inside is expected to face court via video link on Wednesday morning.
The toddler was left with serious injuries after her 25-year-old father allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle on Great Eastern Highway on Sunday.
Police were on their way to a domestic disturbance in Ellenbrook when they received information that an intoxicated man had left the disturbance in a stolen vehicle with his young child.
Police units began searching for the man and at 11pm the vehicle was found on Lloyd Street, Midland, being driven with no headlights on.
The man allegedly failed to stop for police but a chase was not initiated because there was a child in the car.
A short time later the car was found crashed into a concrete barrier on Great Eastern Highway, on approach to the Roe Highway on-ramp.
The vehicle had caught fire and the man had allegedly fled the scene on foot, leaving the girl in the burning car.
The man was later found by police nearby on Beaconsfield Avenue in Midvale.
He was arrested and taken to Swan Districts Hospital by St John Ambulance for treatment of injuries received in the crash.
The 25-year-old man from East Victoria Park is facing 10 charges, including aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm.
He had a bedside hearing on Monday and was remanded in custody in hospital.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/father-to-face-court-on-wednesday-over-crash-involving-his-daughter-20140422-3727g.html
Father to face court on Wednesday over crash involving his daughter
Date April 22, 2014 - 4:22PM
Aleisha Orr Reporter, WA Today
A man alleged to have fled a burning car with his three-year-old daughter still inside is expected to face court via video link on Wednesday morning.
The toddler was left with serious injuries after her 25-year-old father allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle on Great Eastern Highway on Sunday.
Police were on their way to a domestic disturbance in Ellenbrook when they received information that an intoxicated man had left the disturbance in a stolen vehicle with his young child.
Police units began searching for the man and at 11pm the vehicle was found on Lloyd Street, Midland, being driven with no headlights on.
The man allegedly failed to stop for police but a chase was not initiated because there was a child in the car.
A short time later the car was found crashed into a concrete barrier on Great Eastern Highway, on approach to the Roe Highway on-ramp.
The vehicle had caught fire and the man had allegedly fled the scene on foot, leaving the girl in the burning car.
The man was later found by police nearby on Beaconsfield Avenue in Midvale.
He was arrested and taken to Swan Districts Hospital by St John Ambulance for treatment of injuries received in the crash.
The 25-year-old man from East Victoria Park is facing 10 charges, including aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm.
He had a bedside hearing on Monday and was remanded in custody in hospital.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Dad accused of brainwashing son into murdering his mother (McNairy County, Tennessee)
Can't be! As the fathers rights people will assure you, mothers have the monopoly on manipulative and alienating behavior. Uh, obviously not...
Dad is identified as GUY POTTER, JR.
http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Dad-Behind-Bars-for-Arson-Murder-Conspiracy-256084801.html
Dad Behind Bars for Arson-Murder Conspiracy
By Jordan Hall
Story Created: Apr 21, 2014 at 4:46 PM CDT (Story Updated: Apr 21, 2014 at 8:52 PM CDT)
McNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. - A father was arrested Monday accused of trying to brainwash his son into murdering his mother.
Deputies said Guy Potter, Jr. is behind bars for aggravated arson and attempted murder of his ex-wife. Investigators said Potter tried to convince his pre-teen son to commit the crime.
Bryan and Brandi Petty's home in South Ramer has undergone a total rebuilding process since a fire was set in six different places in January. The homeowners say the real rebuilding process is just getting started.
"If a person is going to put their child up to what he assisted Trey in doing, you don't know what they're going to do. You can't sleep. You're constantly wondering what's going on around you. Nobody should have to live like that," said Brandi Petty, the juvenile's mother.
Deputies arrested Guy Potter Jr. Monday after they said he put together a murder plot to kill his ex-wife - using his son as his weapon.
"We were determine quickly that some of the things that had been done during the arson were probably above the age or capability of someone of the juvenile's age," said Sheriff Guy Buck.
Sheriff Buck said tampering with fire detectors was one example of ways to burn down the home. Brandi Petty escaped the fire that night from her back bedroom window, and found her son standing outside on the other side.
An unknown cell phone was found in the son's room and later discovered to be the communication line with his father.
Now, with Potter behind bars, Petty said she hopes she can rebuild a relationship with her son.
"We have a lot of work to do. I do believe at some point he can get past it and I hope and pray that he can," said Petty.
Her son is undergoing counseling and therapy, and the Pettys will be able to move into their home in the next few weeks.
Potter will be arraigned in court this week, and appear before a judge in May.
Dad is identified as GUY POTTER, JR.
http://www.wbbjtv.com/news/local/Dad-Behind-Bars-for-Arson-Murder-Conspiracy-256084801.html
Dad Behind Bars for Arson-Murder Conspiracy
By Jordan Hall
Story Created: Apr 21, 2014 at 4:46 PM CDT (Story Updated: Apr 21, 2014 at 8:52 PM CDT)
McNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. - A father was arrested Monday accused of trying to brainwash his son into murdering his mother.
Deputies said Guy Potter, Jr. is behind bars for aggravated arson and attempted murder of his ex-wife. Investigators said Potter tried to convince his pre-teen son to commit the crime.
Bryan and Brandi Petty's home in South Ramer has undergone a total rebuilding process since a fire was set in six different places in January. The homeowners say the real rebuilding process is just getting started.
"If a person is going to put their child up to what he assisted Trey in doing, you don't know what they're going to do. You can't sleep. You're constantly wondering what's going on around you. Nobody should have to live like that," said Brandi Petty, the juvenile's mother.
Deputies arrested Guy Potter Jr. Monday after they said he put together a murder plot to kill his ex-wife - using his son as his weapon.
"We were determine quickly that some of the things that had been done during the arson were probably above the age or capability of someone of the juvenile's age," said Sheriff Guy Buck.
Sheriff Buck said tampering with fire detectors was one example of ways to burn down the home. Brandi Petty escaped the fire that night from her back bedroom window, and found her son standing outside on the other side.
An unknown cell phone was found in the son's room and later discovered to be the communication line with his father.
Now, with Potter behind bars, Petty said she hopes she can rebuild a relationship with her son.
"We have a lot of work to do. I do believe at some point he can get past it and I hope and pray that he can," said Petty.
Her son is undergoing counseling and therapy, and the Pettys will be able to move into their home in the next few weeks.
Potter will be arraigned in court this week, and appear before a judge in May.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Dad abducts 3-year-old daughter, abandons her in burning car (Ellenbrook, Australia)
Terribly confusing article, starting with the headline.
So we have a father who what? Broke into the mother's home and assaulted her? No mention of the mother so we don't know if it was her or somebody else. We know he seriously assaulted someone. Was Dad also living in the home? Or elsewhere? Don't know. But the children scatter, flee the home. Except for the 3-year-old daughter which Dad abducts before abandoning her in a burning car that was stolen (from the mother? Somebody else?).
UNNAMED DAD
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/22805603/girl-3-abandoned-in-burning-car/
Girl, 3, abandoned in burning car
Elle Farcic
The West Australian
April 21, 2014, 9:19 am
A three-year-old girl was taken to hospital after her father allegedly abandoned her in a burning car after a domestic incident in Ellenbrook.
Police were called to a domestic disturbance at an Ellenbrook home about 10.10pm.
Officers were told someone had been seriously assaulted and a 25-year-old man had damaged the house.
It is alleged a number of children fled the home before the man left the scene in a stolen car, taking his daughter with him.
A police spokesman said concerns were held for the child’s safety because of the man’s behaviour.
Police spotted the man driving on Lloyd Street in Midland with no headlights on about 11pm.
“Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however the man failed to stop,” the spokeswoman said.
“Due to the fact there was a child in the vehicle, officers did not engage in a pursuit, but attempted to monitor the movements of the vehicle.”
The car was found crashed into a concrete barrier on Great Eastern Highway, near the Roe Highway on-ramp, a short time later.
It was on fire and the man had fled the scene on foot, leaving the three-year-old in the burning car.
The girl was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital after police rescued her from the car.
She is in a critical but stable condition.
Officers found the man on Beaconsfield Avenue in Midvale a short time later.
He was arrested and taken to Swan District Hospital by St John Ambulance officers.
The man allegedly failed a breath test at the hospital and was taken to Midland police station for questioning.
It is believed he also drove into a Toyota Yaris on Great Eastern Highway earlier in the night.
The East Victoria Park man will face a string of charges today.
He was refused bail and has returned to hospital.
So we have a father who what? Broke into the mother's home and assaulted her? No mention of the mother so we don't know if it was her or somebody else. We know he seriously assaulted someone. Was Dad also living in the home? Or elsewhere? Don't know. But the children scatter, flee the home. Except for the 3-year-old daughter which Dad abducts before abandoning her in a burning car that was stolen (from the mother? Somebody else?).
UNNAMED DAD
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/22805603/girl-3-abandoned-in-burning-car/
Girl, 3, abandoned in burning car
Elle Farcic
The West Australian
April 21, 2014, 9:19 am
A three-year-old girl was taken to hospital after her father allegedly abandoned her in a burning car after a domestic incident in Ellenbrook.
Police were called to a domestic disturbance at an Ellenbrook home about 10.10pm.
Officers were told someone had been seriously assaulted and a 25-year-old man had damaged the house.
It is alleged a number of children fled the home before the man left the scene in a stolen car, taking his daughter with him.
A police spokesman said concerns were held for the child’s safety because of the man’s behaviour.
Police spotted the man driving on Lloyd Street in Midland with no headlights on about 11pm.
“Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, however the man failed to stop,” the spokeswoman said.
“Due to the fact there was a child in the vehicle, officers did not engage in a pursuit, but attempted to monitor the movements of the vehicle.”
The car was found crashed into a concrete barrier on Great Eastern Highway, near the Roe Highway on-ramp, a short time later.
It was on fire and the man had fled the scene on foot, leaving the three-year-old in the burning car.
The girl was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital after police rescued her from the car.
She is in a critical but stable condition.
Officers found the man on Beaconsfield Avenue in Midvale a short time later.
He was arrested and taken to Swan District Hospital by St John Ambulance officers.
The man allegedly failed a breath test at the hospital and was taken to Midland police station for questioning.
It is believed he also drove into a Toyota Yaris on Great Eastern Highway earlier in the night.
The East Victoria Park man will face a string of charges today.
He was refused bail and has returned to hospital.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Dad kills 4 kids, wife by locking them in house, setting it on fire (Georgetown, Guyana)
Yet another father turned family annihilator. This one is identified as LENNOX LA CRUZ.
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/32638988-13cd-4209-9bdc-061e3dc30b01.aspx
Guyana man kills wife, four children in fire
March 16, 2014
GEORGETOWN: A man in the South American country of Guyana has being held on suspicion of killing his wife and four of his five children by locking them inside their home and setting it on fire, police said on Saturday.
Businessman Lennox La Cruz, 50, was arrested in the northwest region of Port Kaituma near Venezuela, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Police said they were alerted to the incident by a fifth child, a 12-year-old girl, who went to a police station and told officers that her parents were arguing and that her father was threatening to burn down their home.
Police said that when they arrived at the house, it was already on fire and that they couldn't enter because of a locked iron door.
Authorities said police officers and nearby residents formed a bucket brigade but were unable to put out the fire.
The victims were identified as Lurlene La Cruz, 39, her two daughters, ages 14 and 3, and two sons, ages 8 and 1.
The killings occurred late on Friday in a farming and gold mining community where La Cruz was well known.
http://gulftoday.ae/portal/32638988-13cd-4209-9bdc-061e3dc30b01.aspx
Guyana man kills wife, four children in fire
March 16, 2014
GEORGETOWN: A man in the South American country of Guyana has being held on suspicion of killing his wife and four of his five children by locking them inside their home and setting it on fire, police said on Saturday.
Businessman Lennox La Cruz, 50, was arrested in the northwest region of Port Kaituma near Venezuela, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
Police said they were alerted to the incident by a fifth child, a 12-year-old girl, who went to a police station and told officers that her parents were arguing and that her father was threatening to burn down their home.
Police said that when they arrived at the house, it was already on fire and that they couldn't enter because of a locked iron door.
Authorities said police officers and nearby residents formed a bucket brigade but were unable to put out the fire.
The victims were identified as Lurlene La Cruz, 39, her two daughters, ages 14 and 3, and two sons, ages 8 and 1.
The killings occurred late on Friday in a farming and gold mining community where La Cruz was well known.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Two-year-old son rescued from apartment building fire deliberately set by boy's father (Torrance, California)
Yet another Daddy Drama dickhead. This one is identified as ASA JAMES DOLAK.
http://news.gnom.es/news/toddler-rescued-from-fire-intentionally-set-by-father-police-say
Toddler rescued from fire intentionally set by father, police say
By Ari Bloomekatz 1:27 p.m. CST, December 26, 2013
A 2-year-old was rescued from a burning apartment building in Torrance early Thursday morning in a fire that authorities said was intentionally set by the toddler’s father.
Fire crews and officers responded to the fire in the 16700 block of Crenshaw Boulevard around 12:15 a.m. and saw that a portion of the four-unit apartment complex was “fully engulfed in flames,” according to Sgt. Robert Watt of the Torrance Police Department.
A woman who lived in the apartment where the fire was the worst was standing in front of the building when crews arrived and told them that her 2-year-old was still inside.
Firefighters and officers went into the building and recovered the child, who was treated for smoke inhalation and is now stable and listed in fair condition at a hospital, Watt said.
The three other units in the building were also evacuated and police learned that the man who allegedly set the fire is the ex-boyfriend of the woman and is the child’s father.
Watt said it was the result of “a domestic dispute that started verbally on Christmas Day.”
Police believe that after that fire was set. the arson suspect, identified by authorities as 19-year-old Asa James Dolak, went to the home of a relative in the 3200 block of Opal Avenue “and set that house on fire as well” around 2 a.m. and then fled.
“Arson investigators are at both locations and this is an arson investigation and we believe he intentionally tried to torch and burn down both locations,” Watt said.
Police continue to search for Dolak. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to call Torrance police at (310) 328-3456.
Police were able to have a phone conversation with Dolak after the arsons and he told them that he was unhappy with his family, unhappy with officers and “would seriously injure anyone that attempted to make contact with him,” Watt said.
He is wanted on two counts of arson and one count of attempted murder.
http://news.gnom.es/news/toddler-rescued-from-fire-intentionally-set-by-father-police-say
Toddler rescued from fire intentionally set by father, police say
By Ari Bloomekatz 1:27 p.m. CST, December 26, 2013
A 2-year-old was rescued from a burning apartment building in Torrance early Thursday morning in a fire that authorities said was intentionally set by the toddler’s father.
Fire crews and officers responded to the fire in the 16700 block of Crenshaw Boulevard around 12:15 a.m. and saw that a portion of the four-unit apartment complex was “fully engulfed in flames,” according to Sgt. Robert Watt of the Torrance Police Department.
A woman who lived in the apartment where the fire was the worst was standing in front of the building when crews arrived and told them that her 2-year-old was still inside.
Firefighters and officers went into the building and recovered the child, who was treated for smoke inhalation and is now stable and listed in fair condition at a hospital, Watt said.
The three other units in the building were also evacuated and police learned that the man who allegedly set the fire is the ex-boyfriend of the woman and is the child’s father.
Watt said it was the result of “a domestic dispute that started verbally on Christmas Day.”
Police believe that after that fire was set. the arson suspect, identified by authorities as 19-year-old Asa James Dolak, went to the home of a relative in the 3200 block of Opal Avenue “and set that house on fire as well” around 2 a.m. and then fled.
“Arson investigators are at both locations and this is an arson investigation and we believe he intentionally tried to torch and burn down both locations,” Watt said.
Police continue to search for Dolak. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to call Torrance police at (310) 328-3456.
Police were able to have a phone conversation with Dolak after the arsons and he told them that he was unhappy with his family, unhappy with officers and “would seriously injure anyone that attempted to make contact with him,” Watt said.
He is wanted on two counts of arson and one count of attempted murder.
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