Unfortunately, this mother's story is becoming all too common. And not just in New Zealand, but in nearly every country in the world.
http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/local/news/system-failed-to-protect-family-mother/3932149/
System failed to protect family Mother
Staff reporter 1st December 2010
A Wanganui woman has questioned the validity of the show of strength in last Thursday's march against family violence.
Instead, she says some organisations in society, by their actions, are also perpetrators of psychological violence.
Margaret (not her real name) alleges the Family Court, lawyer, psychologist and Child Youth and Family (CYF) case worker involved in her case have all worked against her and against the best interests of her child, who is now in the custody of his father.
She said her child was not conceived by consent.
Margaret is broke and has had to turn off her hot water because she can't afford to pay the power bill. She is also paying back legal aid and there is a caveat against her house.
"I'll be paying legal aid back for years to come," said the woman, who is now on a sickness benefit.
Margaret had moved to another city to study, and - with her new qualifications - was about to go overseas when she became entangled with the man.
Not only is she coping with the judgment that stripped her of custody rights, but she's also blaming herself for putting her two older sons through the violence that the man brought into their home.
"I put up with it for three years because I could not get rid of him.
I was constantly anxious and having panic attacks."
She said her ex-partner was not only physically violent and sexually abusive but would mentally terrorise her with comments such as : "Do you know what a cadaver is?"
He also kept a big knife in the drawer beside the bed and would say: "If you love something, let it go. And if you don't, you hunt it down and kill it."
During the custody court case in 2007, her ex-partner admitted on two occasions that he had been violent toward her.
Margaret said she was judged by all involved with the case; she was called a liar and was told she "coached her son in his molestation accusations".
A pediatrician who looked at her son said he believed he had been "interfered with".
"He rang CYF but nothing was done, so I took my son to them and pleaded with them to conduct an interview.
"The Family Court does not support the family unit, because it is the personal opinion of the presiding judge.
"How is a family supposed to heal when the court breaks up a family? This is not justice."
She was also told she was "wasting the court's time and could be charged costs to pay for her ex-partner, his lawyer and court costs".
She is also concerned with the environment in which her son is growing up, and his comments about how he will deal with that violence in the future to exact revenge.
"If his father was a good person I would say, go for it. But he's not, and my son wants to come back to me.
"I cannot see how the court would allow my son to go into a dysfunctional home, but it did.
"Now I am emotionally, financially, mentally, physically and spiritually ruined."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
"Babysitting" dad accused of felony child abuse against 3-year-old daughter (Norfolk, Nebraska)
This is becoming a standard issue child abuse case in these days of "stay-at-home" dads. Dad ANDREW S. ROSS was doing the "caretaking" of two young children while Mom had to work. Result: A 3-year-old girl hospitalized with multiple injuries, and a dad charged with felony child abuse. Can't help but wonder if his drug issues made him unemployable....
http://norfolkdailynews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=104&ArticleID=26513
11/29/2010 10:57:00 AM
Father accused of felony child abuse
Faith Regional Health Services staff notified police about a possible child abuse after a woman brought her 3-year-old girl to the hospital with injuries.
The child had marks on her nose, face and neck area, said Capt. Leon Chapman of the Norfolk Police Division.
The father of the child, 23-year-old Andrew S. Ross, had been taking care of his children, ages 5 and 3, while the mother was working.
On Wednesday, Norfolk police arrested Ross on a Hall County warrant for failure to pay costs on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
He was transported to the Norfolk jail.
Following further investigation, Ross was also arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse. Ross was transported to the Madison County jail early Thanksgiving Day.
http://norfolkdailynews.com/Main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=104&ArticleID=26513
11/29/2010 10:57:00 AM
Father accused of felony child abuse
Faith Regional Health Services staff notified police about a possible child abuse after a woman brought her 3-year-old girl to the hospital with injuries.
The child had marks on her nose, face and neck area, said Capt. Leon Chapman of the Norfolk Police Division.
The father of the child, 23-year-old Andrew S. Ross, had been taking care of his children, ages 5 and 3, while the mother was working.
On Wednesday, Norfolk police arrested Ross on a Hall County warrant for failure to pay costs on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
He was transported to the Norfolk jail.
Following further investigation, Ross was also arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse. Ross was transported to the Madison County jail early Thanksgiving Day.
Dad arraigned on battery charges involving 4-year-old son (Clarksville, Indiana)
Another case where there is no mention of a mother. Is DAVID FULTZ JR. a single dad?
Notice that once again, we see a father who "allegedly" used excessive force against a 4-year-old child, breaking his leg. For better or for worse, that's what all that great male upper body strength can lead to. And in fact, these kinds of injuries are almost uniformly caused by male caretakers--though it's become extremely taboo to say so openly. But the research has shown this to be true.
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.
http://www.wlky.com/r/25963566/detail.html
Man Arraigned On Child Abuse Charges
David Fultz: 'I'm An Innocent Man'
POSTED: 4:54 pm EST November 30, 2010
CLARKSVILLE, Ind. -- A Clarksville man was in court Tuesday to answer to charges he abused his 4-year-old son.
"I'm an innocent man. I love my children, brah, I didn't do nothing," said David Fultz Jr.
Fultz, 28, was arrested over the weekend after officers went to Kosair Children's Hospital.
His son was being treated there for a broken leg.
A doctor told police that only excessive force could have caused the injury, and the boy also had been hit in the face.
According to court records, the boy told officers his father hit him because he was on top of his little brother, but Fultz told police the boy was hurt when he flipped him over his shoulder while playing in a bedroom.
Fultz is charged with battery and neglect of a dependent.
Notice that once again, we see a father who "allegedly" used excessive force against a 4-year-old child, breaking his leg. For better or for worse, that's what all that great male upper body strength can lead to. And in fact, these kinds of injuries are almost uniformly caused by male caretakers--though it's become extremely taboo to say so openly. But the research has shown this to be true.
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.
http://www.wlky.com/r/25963566/detail.html
Man Arraigned On Child Abuse Charges
David Fultz: 'I'm An Innocent Man'
POSTED: 4:54 pm EST November 30, 2010
CLARKSVILLE, Ind. -- A Clarksville man was in court Tuesday to answer to charges he abused his 4-year-old son.
"I'm an innocent man. I love my children, brah, I didn't do nothing," said David Fultz Jr.
Fultz, 28, was arrested over the weekend after officers went to Kosair Children's Hospital.
His son was being treated there for a broken leg.
A doctor told police that only excessive force could have caused the injury, and the boy also had been hit in the face.
According to court records, the boy told officers his father hit him because he was on top of his little brother, but Fultz told police the boy was hurt when he flipped him over his shoulder while playing in a bedroom.
Fultz is charged with battery and neglect of a dependent.
Boy asks judge to keep former custodial dad from hurting him (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Print out a copy of this case. Next time some whiny idiot complains about how fathers never get a break, how they're always discriminated against in court, shove this in front of them.
HOW THE HELL did dad ROB BASSETT ever get custody of this child? A meth-addicted child abuser. A father who apparently forced his 10-year-old son to smoke meth with him. A father who even forced this child to sell meth on the streets. A child who has serious dental and health problems from meth abuse at the tender age of ten. A child who was sexually abused by Daddy and his gal pal.
Well, you might say. Maybe Mom is worse. If so, why is it considered safe for the boy to live with her now?
And get this: this meth-addicted, abusive pervert wanted probation so he could "continue working" (At what? Meth manufacturing and peddling?). And so he could "fight for custody of the boy." (!!!) That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about father entitlement and expectations today. Fathers aren't timid and cowardly about their prospects of getting child custody at all. No sir. Every father is completely entitled, and deserves complete chattel ownership of the children. That's what the fathers rights movement has taught them.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/boy-asks-judge-to-keep-father-from-hurting-him-111104639.html
Dec. 01, 2010
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Boy asks judge to keep father from hurting him
'I want to forget that you are my dad,' 10-year-old says
By FRANCIS MCCABE
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A 10-year-old boy asked a district judge Tuesday to keep his father, who made him use methamphetamine, from hurting him anymore.
"I want to forget that you are my dad,'' said the boy, Morgan, testifying at Rob Bassett's sentencing. "I want to forget that I know him. He wasn't a good dad to me. He doesn't love me. All Rob has done is scare me. Please don't let him hurt me again."
Bassett in July pleaded guilty to one felony count of child abuse and neglect four days before his trial was to begin. In February 2008 Bassett, 39, and Morgan, then 7, both tested positive for meth. Authorities said Bassett, had primary custody of the boy at the time.
Bassett was sentenced to one to four years in prison by Judge Douglas Herndon, nearly the maximum allowed.
Bassett admitted he smoked drugs in the house while Morgan was there but denied forcing the boy to use drugs. He said Morgan must have inhaled it through second-hand smoke. He asked for probation so he could continue working and fight for custody of the boy.
Herndon described what the boy went through as "horrendous," and said he "can't in good conscious put you (Bassett) on probation. I don't buy that he (Morgan) ended up with the methamphetamine exposure the way you want to present it to me."
Morgan testified that his father taught him how to use drugs and would light a meth pipe for him.
"I smoked every day with Rob," Morgan said.
Morgan added that Bassett made him sell drugs in downtown alleys, often to people who were dirty and covered in tattoos. He said he lives in fear of his father, and had to be hospitalized because he was seeing Bassett "everywhere."
Morgan described how his teeth decayed, a common side effect of meth use, resulting in painful visits to the dentist and inability to eat potato chips because it hurts. Nor can he play sports that require running because the drug damaged his lungs.
Morgan's testimony was based on a statement he said he wrote earlier in the week. The only part he could not read, because he was embarrassed and afraid, referred to his sexual assault by Bassett and his girlfriend, who has not been charged.
After the sentence was handed down, Bassett, who sobbed throughout the hour-long hearing, began wailing and yelled "I didn't do it. I didn't do any of that." Then he became incoherent. Bassett could be heard wailing even after he was taken from the court in handcuffs.
A prosecutor said the sexual assault allegation will likely be forwarded to Las Vegas police for more investigation. Morgan now lives with his mother.
HOW THE HELL did dad ROB BASSETT ever get custody of this child? A meth-addicted child abuser. A father who apparently forced his 10-year-old son to smoke meth with him. A father who even forced this child to sell meth on the streets. A child who has serious dental and health problems from meth abuse at the tender age of ten. A child who was sexually abused by Daddy and his gal pal.
Well, you might say. Maybe Mom is worse. If so, why is it considered safe for the boy to live with her now?
And get this: this meth-addicted, abusive pervert wanted probation so he could "continue working" (At what? Meth manufacturing and peddling?). And so he could "fight for custody of the boy." (!!!) That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about father entitlement and expectations today. Fathers aren't timid and cowardly about their prospects of getting child custody at all. No sir. Every father is completely entitled, and deserves complete chattel ownership of the children. That's what the fathers rights movement has taught them.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/boy-asks-judge-to-keep-father-from-hurting-him-111104639.html
Dec. 01, 2010
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Boy asks judge to keep father from hurting him
'I want to forget that you are my dad,' 10-year-old says
By FRANCIS MCCABE
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A 10-year-old boy asked a district judge Tuesday to keep his father, who made him use methamphetamine, from hurting him anymore.
"I want to forget that you are my dad,'' said the boy, Morgan, testifying at Rob Bassett's sentencing. "I want to forget that I know him. He wasn't a good dad to me. He doesn't love me. All Rob has done is scare me. Please don't let him hurt me again."
Bassett in July pleaded guilty to one felony count of child abuse and neglect four days before his trial was to begin. In February 2008 Bassett, 39, and Morgan, then 7, both tested positive for meth. Authorities said Bassett, had primary custody of the boy at the time.
Bassett was sentenced to one to four years in prison by Judge Douglas Herndon, nearly the maximum allowed.
Bassett admitted he smoked drugs in the house while Morgan was there but denied forcing the boy to use drugs. He said Morgan must have inhaled it through second-hand smoke. He asked for probation so he could continue working and fight for custody of the boy.
Herndon described what the boy went through as "horrendous," and said he "can't in good conscious put you (Bassett) on probation. I don't buy that he (Morgan) ended up with the methamphetamine exposure the way you want to present it to me."
Morgan testified that his father taught him how to use drugs and would light a meth pipe for him.
"I smoked every day with Rob," Morgan said.
Morgan added that Bassett made him sell drugs in downtown alleys, often to people who were dirty and covered in tattoos. He said he lives in fear of his father, and had to be hospitalized because he was seeing Bassett "everywhere."
Morgan described how his teeth decayed, a common side effect of meth use, resulting in painful visits to the dentist and inability to eat potato chips because it hurts. Nor can he play sports that require running because the drug damaged his lungs.
Morgan's testimony was based on a statement he said he wrote earlier in the week. The only part he could not read, because he was embarrassed and afraid, referred to his sexual assault by Bassett and his girlfriend, who has not been charged.
After the sentence was handed down, Bassett, who sobbed throughout the hour-long hearing, began wailing and yelled "I didn't do it. I didn't do any of that." Then he became incoherent. Bassett could be heard wailing even after he was taken from the court in handcuffs.
A prosecutor said the sexual assault allegation will likely be forwarded to Las Vegas police for more investigation. Morgan now lives with his mother.
Dad charged with felony child abuse in death of 6-year-old daughter to stay behind bars (Macomb County, Michigan)
You know what really bugs me about this case? Authorities seem to be more upset about the fact that dad MAJD (MITCH) MOHAMMAD AL-SHARA is an "illegal" immigrant (on the wrong side of a national boundary) than the fact that a young child died a horrible and painful death due to his actions, whether accidental or deliberate. That's what's wrong with our country today. We get more worked up about where people are located than the health and safety of our children. Talk about misplaced priorities.
http://www.freep.com/article/20101201/NEWS05/12010342/1322/Father-to-stay-behind-bars
Posted: Dec. 1, 2010
Father to stay behind bars
COMPILED FROM REPORTS BY TAMMY STABLES BATTAGLIA, TINA LAM, NIRAJ WARIKOO, NAOMI R. PATTON AND MEGHA SATYANARAYANA
LENOX TOWNSHIP
Majd (Mitch) Mohammad Al-Shara, charged with felony child abuse in the death of his 6-year-old daughter Aliaa in a Sept. 19 fire pit accident, likely will stay in the Macomb County Jail at least through February.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it would take that long to review evidence from the accident, the father's lawyer, Richard Graving, said after a Macomb County Circuit Court hearing Tuesday. Al-Shara, 41, a Jordanian citizen in the U.S. illegally for nearly 10 years, would face deportation proceedings if he was let out of jail on bond, Graving added.
Al-Shara said he was trying to stoke a backyard fire with gasoline when flames shot out and burned his daughter.
Read more: Father to stay behind bars freep.com Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101201/NEWS05/12010342/Father-to-stay-behind-bars#ixzz16t6QAmAJ
http://www.freep.com/article/20101201/NEWS05/12010342/1322/Father-to-stay-behind-bars
Posted: Dec. 1, 2010
Father to stay behind bars
COMPILED FROM REPORTS BY TAMMY STABLES BATTAGLIA, TINA LAM, NIRAJ WARIKOO, NAOMI R. PATTON AND MEGHA SATYANARAYANA
LENOX TOWNSHIP
Majd (Mitch) Mohammad Al-Shara, charged with felony child abuse in the death of his 6-year-old daughter Aliaa in a Sept. 19 fire pit accident, likely will stay in the Macomb County Jail at least through February.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it would take that long to review evidence from the accident, the father's lawyer, Richard Graving, said after a Macomb County Circuit Court hearing Tuesday. Al-Shara, 41, a Jordanian citizen in the U.S. illegally for nearly 10 years, would face deportation proceedings if he was let out of jail on bond, Graving added.
Al-Shara said he was trying to stoke a backyard fire with gasoline when flames shot out and burned his daughter.
Read more: Father to stay behind bars freep.com Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101201/NEWS05/12010342/Father-to-stay-behind-bars#ixzz16t6QAmAJ
Dad charged with felony child abuse against daughter (Oconto Falls, Wisconsin)
Dad BRETT VICKMAN has been charged with felony child abuse after he "allegedly" physically abused his daughter for essentially two whole months. The girl required shoulder surgery as a result of her injuries. An 8-year-old son says he was also abused.
Notice that there is also mention of Daddy's apartment being "filthy." Fathers are never blamed for dirty houses if there is a mother around. And in fact, no mother IS mentioned. So I really suspect that this is a single father, though of course, the media is not going to clarify this. So how did this druggie abuser daddy end up with custody, if this is in fact the case?
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101201/GPG1009/12010329/Oconto-Falls-man-charged-with-felony-child-abuse
Oconto Falls man charged with felony child abuse
December 1, 2010
A $5,000 cash bond was set in Circuit Court last Tuesday for Brett Vickman, 33, of 204½ E. lndianwood, Oconto Falls, on felony charges of physical abuse of a child and also causing mental harm to a child.
In addition, Oconto Falls Police cited him for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia at his home on Monday, Nov. 22.
The criminal complaint says the defendant's daughter told human service child protection workers that her father had physically abused her from Aug. 1 thru Sept. 28. On one occasion, she said he struck her with a glass bottle because she had emptied his glass of alcohol. The girl also said she had needed shoulder surgery for injuries inflicted by her father. And his son, a boy, 8, also said his father had abused him.
Police Officer Jamie Kuhn, who arrested the man on Nov. 22, said she found filthy living conditions in his apartment.
The defendant will return to court for a hearing on Dec. 9.
Notice that there is also mention of Daddy's apartment being "filthy." Fathers are never blamed for dirty houses if there is a mother around. And in fact, no mother IS mentioned. So I really suspect that this is a single father, though of course, the media is not going to clarify this. So how did this druggie abuser daddy end up with custody, if this is in fact the case?
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101201/GPG1009/12010329/Oconto-Falls-man-charged-with-felony-child-abuse
Oconto Falls man charged with felony child abuse
December 1, 2010
A $5,000 cash bond was set in Circuit Court last Tuesday for Brett Vickman, 33, of 204½ E. lndianwood, Oconto Falls, on felony charges of physical abuse of a child and also causing mental harm to a child.
In addition, Oconto Falls Police cited him for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia at his home on Monday, Nov. 22.
The criminal complaint says the defendant's daughter told human service child protection workers that her father had physically abused her from Aug. 1 thru Sept. 28. On one occasion, she said he struck her with a glass bottle because she had emptied his glass of alcohol. The girl also said she had needed shoulder surgery for injuries inflicted by her father. And his son, a boy, 8, also said his father had abused him.
Police Officer Jamie Kuhn, who arrested the man on Nov. 22, said she found filthy living conditions in his apartment.
The defendant will return to court for a hearing on Dec. 9.
$3M bond set for dad of missing sons; boys disappeared in midst of "nasty custody battle" (Toledo, Ohio)
I wish the media would stop using such misleading language. The words "custody battle" implies a more-or-less equal tug-of war between two parents or parties. My rule of thumb: When a parent--in this case dad JOHN SKELTON--"disappears" (i.e. presumably murdered) the children in question, it's not a "battle." What we have is a protective parent trying to save the children from an abusive maniac who proved to be "allegedly" homicidal, or at minimum suicidal. This is not a "battle" so much as a one-sided custody "siege" that is being launched by a unsafe/criminal parent against a safe parent. Much different phenomenon.
And now we see that Daddy has a $3M bond. A little too late for the boys, isn't it? Why did a judge grant this presumably "depressed" and suicidal father visitation with three young children anyway? That would have been the time when the courts could have made a difference.
http://www.detnews.com/article/20101201/METRO/12010386/1409/METRO08
Last Updated: December 01. 2010 1:17PM
$3M bond set for father of missing Morenci boys
Francis X. Donnelly and Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News
Toledo— As investigators today headed into a fifth day of searching for three missing boys from Morenci, an Ohio judge set a $3 million bond for their father, who is accused of their kidnappings, after he fought extradition back to Michigan.
John Skelton, 39, of Morenci, sat in a wheelchair in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Gary G. Cook's courtroom and refused to waive extradition, which would have sent him back to Lenawee County to face three counts of parental kidnapping. Skelton's left foot and ankle were in a cast today. Cook set his bond at $3 million and ordered the next hearing for Dec. 14.
Lucas County prosecutors asked for $1 million bond, which the judge granted on each charge, totaling the $3 million. Skelton immediately was taken back to Lucas County Jail across the street.
Skelton bowed his head and never made eye contact with Cook in court, answering with simple "yes" and "no" replies to the judge's questions.
His court-appointed lawyer, Merle Dech Jr. of Toledo, declined to comment after the brief court appearance.
Lucas County Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Lingo said possible extradition on Dec. 14 will depend on him proving Skelton is the man wanted in Michigan and whether Ohio recognizes the charges.
"Ohio has a similar custodial interference statute so extradition is likely," Lingo said.
He added if the children — Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 — are found in Ohio, Skelton would likely face more charges in the state. If they are found dead, Lingo warned: "We have the death penalty here."
Skelton has been held under suicide watch at the Lucas County Jail in Ohio.
Meanwhile, Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks said today said the organized search for the missing children will be discontinued Friday night. After that, searches will be conducted in response to tips and the police investigation.
He asked local residents to search their properties. People with large properties could receive help from volunteers by contacting the police, he said.
"We appreciate their assistance," he said about the hundreds of volunteers who have been searching since Saturday.
He said police have received hundreds of tips, and will assess them over the weekend as they decide which places to search next.
The search has consumed the small community, with volunteers' cars filling downtown and City Hall closed for the week as police use it as a command center.
Skelton, an unemployed truck driver, was arrested by the FBI on suspicion of kidnapping after his release from a mental health facility in Lucas County, Ohio, on Tuesday. He had been hospitalized after he allegedly tried to hang himself Friday, causing the injury to his foot.
Weeks has said police shared the belief that the search may not end positively with the boys' mother, Tanya Skelton, 44, and described her reaction.
"Imagine your worst nightmare come true," he said Tuesday. "How would you respond?"
Weeks said he reached the conclusion on the likely outcome after four days of searching for the boys and speaking with John Skelton, and others. But Weeks wouldn't say what John Skelton and the others said to lead him to that conclusion.
Prosecution officials wouldn't allow The Detroit News to view charging documents in John Skelton's case on Tuesday. But, under Michigan law, a parent convicted of taking or concealing a child without permission of the other parent can face up to a year in prison on a felony.
Weeks' pessimism about finding the boys alive didn't come as a complete shock to the police, firefighters and volunteers who have been searching for the boys.
Police released a photo of Skelton on Tuesday and are looking for anyone who spotted his blue Dodge Caravan around the time of the boys' disappearance Thursday or Friday. The car has been seized by police.
At first, Skelton said he left his boys with an acquaintance named Joann Taylor because he didn't want them to be home while he committed suicide. But investigators later determined the woman didn't exist.
Today, volunteers gathering this morning for the search of the three missing boys endured a new element — plummeting temperatures.
Snow flurries fell as temperatures hovered at 27 degrees early on while searchers prepared to visit various spots surrounding this small community.
But volunteers were undaunted by the weather, and the declining chances that the brothers will be found alive.
"You have to keep looking," said Chad Wilson, 26, of Blissfield. "You have no choice."
Despite everything, residents tried to remain optimistic in Morenci, the small town of about 2,400 in Lenawee County along the Ohio border.
"It's not good," said Valerie Easton, 43, a homemaker who joined the search three days ago. "I'm trying to be hopeful."
More than 200 searchers have combed assorted spots around this tiny rural outpost. They have searched ditches, abandoned buildings, fields and woods on both sides of the Michigan-Ohio border.
A children's jacket was retrieved from a field north of town, but it wasn't immediately known whether it was connected to the boys.
Investigators also retrieved several more materials from John Skelton's home, but police wouldn't discuss the matter.
John Skelton had been embroiled in a nasty custody battle with his wife.
After his wife filed for divorce in September, he took his two eldest boys to Florida, where his mother lives. But he had to bring them back to Michigan after a Florida judge's ruling against him.
Tanya Skelton has remained out of the public eye after reporting the disappearance of their children Friday. She is believed to be staying with family near Morenci.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101201/METRO/12010386/$3M-bond-set-for-father-of-missing-Morenci-boys#ixzz16szTxKML
And now we see that Daddy has a $3M bond. A little too late for the boys, isn't it? Why did a judge grant this presumably "depressed" and suicidal father visitation with three young children anyway? That would have been the time when the courts could have made a difference.
http://www.detnews.com/article/20101201/METRO/12010386/1409/METRO08
Last Updated: December 01. 2010 1:17PM
$3M bond set for father of missing Morenci boys
Francis X. Donnelly and Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News
Toledo— As investigators today headed into a fifth day of searching for three missing boys from Morenci, an Ohio judge set a $3 million bond for their father, who is accused of their kidnappings, after he fought extradition back to Michigan.
John Skelton, 39, of Morenci, sat in a wheelchair in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Gary G. Cook's courtroom and refused to waive extradition, which would have sent him back to Lenawee County to face three counts of parental kidnapping. Skelton's left foot and ankle were in a cast today. Cook set his bond at $3 million and ordered the next hearing for Dec. 14.
Lucas County prosecutors asked for $1 million bond, which the judge granted on each charge, totaling the $3 million. Skelton immediately was taken back to Lucas County Jail across the street.
Skelton bowed his head and never made eye contact with Cook in court, answering with simple "yes" and "no" replies to the judge's questions.
His court-appointed lawyer, Merle Dech Jr. of Toledo, declined to comment after the brief court appearance.
Lucas County Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Lingo said possible extradition on Dec. 14 will depend on him proving Skelton is the man wanted in Michigan and whether Ohio recognizes the charges.
"Ohio has a similar custodial interference statute so extradition is likely," Lingo said.
He added if the children — Andrew, 9, Alexander, 7, and Tanner, 5 — are found in Ohio, Skelton would likely face more charges in the state. If they are found dead, Lingo warned: "We have the death penalty here."
Skelton has been held under suicide watch at the Lucas County Jail in Ohio.
Meanwhile, Morenci Police Chief Larry Weeks said today said the organized search for the missing children will be discontinued Friday night. After that, searches will be conducted in response to tips and the police investigation.
He asked local residents to search their properties. People with large properties could receive help from volunteers by contacting the police, he said.
"We appreciate their assistance," he said about the hundreds of volunteers who have been searching since Saturday.
He said police have received hundreds of tips, and will assess them over the weekend as they decide which places to search next.
The search has consumed the small community, with volunteers' cars filling downtown and City Hall closed for the week as police use it as a command center.
Skelton, an unemployed truck driver, was arrested by the FBI on suspicion of kidnapping after his release from a mental health facility in Lucas County, Ohio, on Tuesday. He had been hospitalized after he allegedly tried to hang himself Friday, causing the injury to his foot.
Weeks has said police shared the belief that the search may not end positively with the boys' mother, Tanya Skelton, 44, and described her reaction.
"Imagine your worst nightmare come true," he said Tuesday. "How would you respond?"
Weeks said he reached the conclusion on the likely outcome after four days of searching for the boys and speaking with John Skelton, and others. But Weeks wouldn't say what John Skelton and the others said to lead him to that conclusion.
Prosecution officials wouldn't allow The Detroit News to view charging documents in John Skelton's case on Tuesday. But, under Michigan law, a parent convicted of taking or concealing a child without permission of the other parent can face up to a year in prison on a felony.
Weeks' pessimism about finding the boys alive didn't come as a complete shock to the police, firefighters and volunteers who have been searching for the boys.
Police released a photo of Skelton on Tuesday and are looking for anyone who spotted his blue Dodge Caravan around the time of the boys' disappearance Thursday or Friday. The car has been seized by police.
At first, Skelton said he left his boys with an acquaintance named Joann Taylor because he didn't want them to be home while he committed suicide. But investigators later determined the woman didn't exist.
Today, volunteers gathering this morning for the search of the three missing boys endured a new element — plummeting temperatures.
Snow flurries fell as temperatures hovered at 27 degrees early on while searchers prepared to visit various spots surrounding this small community.
But volunteers were undaunted by the weather, and the declining chances that the brothers will be found alive.
"You have to keep looking," said Chad Wilson, 26, of Blissfield. "You have no choice."
Despite everything, residents tried to remain optimistic in Morenci, the small town of about 2,400 in Lenawee County along the Ohio border.
"It's not good," said Valerie Easton, 43, a homemaker who joined the search three days ago. "I'm trying to be hopeful."
More than 200 searchers have combed assorted spots around this tiny rural outpost. They have searched ditches, abandoned buildings, fields and woods on both sides of the Michigan-Ohio border.
A children's jacket was retrieved from a field north of town, but it wasn't immediately known whether it was connected to the boys.
Investigators also retrieved several more materials from John Skelton's home, but police wouldn't discuss the matter.
John Skelton had been embroiled in a nasty custody battle with his wife.
After his wife filed for divorce in September, he took his two eldest boys to Florida, where his mother lives. But he had to bring them back to Michigan after a Florida judge's ruling against him.
Tanya Skelton has remained out of the public eye after reporting the disappearance of their children Friday. She is believed to be staying with family near Morenci.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101201/METRO/12010386/$3M-bond-set-for-father-of-missing-Morenci-boys#ixzz16szTxKML
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