Seems that UNNAMED DAD is not a very popular hombre. Though it's not made terribly clear, it appears that he had been separated from the mother of his two children when she recently died in a car accident. At any rate, he showed up at the mother's funeral to claim custody of the two children. It seems that Dad must have a well-known history of violence that's not being elaborated on here--in fact, it's well known enough for families, friends and neighbors to start circulating a petition to stop the father from getting custody and they soon got 1,500 SIGNATURES. Obviously, there is a lot of back story here that's not being told.
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_24821.shtml
Petition to keep custody away from violent father in Alicante village
By h.b. - Jan 24, 2010 - 11:46 AM
The family of a 42 year old woman who died in a traffic accident last Monday has collected more than 1,500 signatures on a petition calling for the custody of her children to be removed from the father, against whom a distancing order was in place.
The signatures were collected in the village of Salinas, Alicante, led by the sister of the dead mother. It comes after the children’s father turned up at the funeral on Wednesday and left taking two of the children.
He has been called by a judge in Vallena to declare on Tuesday this week as the future of the children is decided.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Stepdad charged with 1st-degree murder in death of 17-year-old girl (Calgary, Canada)
Stepdad BRADLEY RIETZE has been arrested and charged with 1st-degree murder in the death of his 17-year-old stepdaughter. Despite the length of the article below, there is little real information available yet, not even on how the girl was killed.
http://www.canada.com/news/Stepdad+charged+teen+death/2476088/story.html
Stepdad charged in teen's death
By Stephane Massinon and Deborah Tetley, Calgary Herald
January 23, 2010
By all outward appearances, 17-year-old Brittney McInnes and her stepfather, Bradley Rietze, had a "normal" relationship.
They laughed and joked and occasionally gave one another a playful punch on the arm, delivered with a smile.
He'd been in her life since she was four years old.
Now, the man who stepped in as a father stands accused of killing the popular teen, charged with first-degree murder in a crime that has left friends and neighbours stunned and perplexed.
"He's just a normal guy, providing for his family, and a great neighbour," said Katsuhito Mori, who has lived next door to Rietze, his wife Kelly and her three children for the past three years.
"Something awful must have happened because I have never seen a problem between Brad and Brittney or anyone in that house. This is really one of those shocking things."
Bradley Wade Rietze, 45, was arrested Thursday and charged with the first-degree murder of McInnes, a Grade 12 student at Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School.
A first-degree murder charge implies premeditation or a killing in the commission of another offence, such as sexual assault or forcible confinement.
The victim's longtime friend, Ashlee Endicott, said McInnes referred to her stepfather as "dad" and, though they would argue at times, there wasn't cause for concern.
"It didn't really seem like there was any problem with him or anything," said Endicott. "He was just like her dad."
Investigators are not saying why they believe Rietze killed the teen or how she died.
Acting Staff Sgt. Rick Tuza, head of homicide, said Rietze was being "very co-operative" in the investigation since his arrest.
Rietze previously had minor dealings with authorities, but nothing related to the case, he said.
Another neighbour, Tasha Walsh, said McInnes babysat for her family in recent years and was "neighbourly" with the family.
"It seemed like a normal father-daughter relationship," she said. "I always assumed Brad was her biological father."
Walsh, like Mori, said she is saddened by the turn of events.
"As a mother, I can't fathom losing a child, but to lose a child in this way and under these circumstances, I can't imagine what her mom and her siblings are going through. I guess you really don't know what happens behind closed doors," said Walsh, 34.
Making matters more confusing is the lack of information from police about what they believe happened.
Tuza did issue a plea for Calgarians to report signs of domestic problems to social agencies or police.
"You may have seen a trend here in Calgary with these offences. I think everybody in our community is in a position to assist with these kinds of crimes," said Tuza.
"We've had a number of very tragic incidents that I don't want to be investigating. If somebody saw something in the past and could have spoken up, could it have been prevented? I don't know."
Mori said he never felt uncomfortable around Rietze, who worked as a home renovation contractor with his father and recently installed windows, doors and siding on his home.
He also offered painting and gardening tips. The men spent a bit of time together during the summer, chatting over beers at Rietze's house.
McInnes, her older brother and younger sister and their mother Kelly were there sometimes, too.
"We had patio drinks and barbecues together in the summer and he offered me advice on my garden when I was growing zucchini," said Mori. "I made food for his father's birthday party. He's my friend and it is too, too sad that this happened."
Police also said the family appeared normal and that officers hadn't any dealings with them before Monday.
"Being a family for 13 years, and we haven't been involved in any other investigations with this family, to me, they'd be a normal family," said Tuza.
But on Monday, that all changed.
Police were called twice to the home in the 800 block of Canaveral Crescent S.W. The first time, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., because McInnes was reported missing by her mother.
Tuza said police searched the home, but did not find the teenager.
Mori knew something was up when McInnes's aunt flagged him down while he walked home from the bus stop.
"She was driving around the neighbourhood looking for her," he said. "I originally thought she stayed out late at someone's house and something bad happened. I could never have imagined it was something that happened at home."
The teenager was later found by a family member in her home.
Tuza said McInnes could not have been saved if she'd been found during the first search.
"She was deceased. There was nothing that could be done for her at the time. She had been dead for a period of time," he said.
Rietze had been taken to hospital with undisclosed injuries at 5 a.m. that day. He was arrested Thursday after being released.
Endicott said she last saw her friend Saturday.
The pair saw a movie, did some shopping, then McInnes went to get a new bank card.
The last time she heard from her was a text message just before midnight.
smassinon@theherald.canwest.com
- ¦ Saturday, Jan. 16, just before midnight: Brittney Timeline
McInnes sends a last text message to best friend Ashlee Endicott.
- ¦ Sunday: McInnes is killed in her own home.
- ¦ Monday, 5 a.m.: EMS is called to take Brad Rietze to hospital with undisclosed medical problems.
- ¦ Monday, noon: McInnes's mother reports her daughter missing to police
- ¦ Monday, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.: Police search the Canaveral Crescent S.W. house. Brittney's body is not found.
- ¦ Monday, 4:46 p.m.: A relative finds Brittney's body and calls police.
- ¦ Thursday: Rietze is released from hospital and arrested by police.
- ¦ Monday: Rietze is to make his first appearance in court.
dtetley@theherald.canwest.com
http://www.canada.com/news/Stepdad+charged+teen+death/2476088/story.html
Stepdad charged in teen's death
By Stephane Massinon and Deborah Tetley, Calgary Herald
January 23, 2010
By all outward appearances, 17-year-old Brittney McInnes and her stepfather, Bradley Rietze, had a "normal" relationship.
They laughed and joked and occasionally gave one another a playful punch on the arm, delivered with a smile.
He'd been in her life since she was four years old.
Now, the man who stepped in as a father stands accused of killing the popular teen, charged with first-degree murder in a crime that has left friends and neighbours stunned and perplexed.
"He's just a normal guy, providing for his family, and a great neighbour," said Katsuhito Mori, who has lived next door to Rietze, his wife Kelly and her three children for the past three years.
"Something awful must have happened because I have never seen a problem between Brad and Brittney or anyone in that house. This is really one of those shocking things."
Bradley Wade Rietze, 45, was arrested Thursday and charged with the first-degree murder of McInnes, a Grade 12 student at Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School.
A first-degree murder charge implies premeditation or a killing in the commission of another offence, such as sexual assault or forcible confinement.
The victim's longtime friend, Ashlee Endicott, said McInnes referred to her stepfather as "dad" and, though they would argue at times, there wasn't cause for concern.
"It didn't really seem like there was any problem with him or anything," said Endicott. "He was just like her dad."
Investigators are not saying why they believe Rietze killed the teen or how she died.
Acting Staff Sgt. Rick Tuza, head of homicide, said Rietze was being "very co-operative" in the investigation since his arrest.
Rietze previously had minor dealings with authorities, but nothing related to the case, he said.
Another neighbour, Tasha Walsh, said McInnes babysat for her family in recent years and was "neighbourly" with the family.
"It seemed like a normal father-daughter relationship," she said. "I always assumed Brad was her biological father."
Walsh, like Mori, said she is saddened by the turn of events.
"As a mother, I can't fathom losing a child, but to lose a child in this way and under these circumstances, I can't imagine what her mom and her siblings are going through. I guess you really don't know what happens behind closed doors," said Walsh, 34.
Making matters more confusing is the lack of information from police about what they believe happened.
Tuza did issue a plea for Calgarians to report signs of domestic problems to social agencies or police.
"You may have seen a trend here in Calgary with these offences. I think everybody in our community is in a position to assist with these kinds of crimes," said Tuza.
"We've had a number of very tragic incidents that I don't want to be investigating. If somebody saw something in the past and could have spoken up, could it have been prevented? I don't know."
Mori said he never felt uncomfortable around Rietze, who worked as a home renovation contractor with his father and recently installed windows, doors and siding on his home.
He also offered painting and gardening tips. The men spent a bit of time together during the summer, chatting over beers at Rietze's house.
McInnes, her older brother and younger sister and their mother Kelly were there sometimes, too.
"We had patio drinks and barbecues together in the summer and he offered me advice on my garden when I was growing zucchini," said Mori. "I made food for his father's birthday party. He's my friend and it is too, too sad that this happened."
Police also said the family appeared normal and that officers hadn't any dealings with them before Monday.
"Being a family for 13 years, and we haven't been involved in any other investigations with this family, to me, they'd be a normal family," said Tuza.
But on Monday, that all changed.
Police were called twice to the home in the 800 block of Canaveral Crescent S.W. The first time, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., because McInnes was reported missing by her mother.
Tuza said police searched the home, but did not find the teenager.
Mori knew something was up when McInnes's aunt flagged him down while he walked home from the bus stop.
"She was driving around the neighbourhood looking for her," he said. "I originally thought she stayed out late at someone's house and something bad happened. I could never have imagined it was something that happened at home."
The teenager was later found by a family member in her home.
Tuza said McInnes could not have been saved if she'd been found during the first search.
"She was deceased. There was nothing that could be done for her at the time. She had been dead for a period of time," he said.
Rietze had been taken to hospital with undisclosed injuries at 5 a.m. that day. He was arrested Thursday after being released.
Endicott said she last saw her friend Saturday.
The pair saw a movie, did some shopping, then McInnes went to get a new bank card.
The last time she heard from her was a text message just before midnight.
smassinon@theherald.canwest.com
- ¦ Saturday, Jan. 16, just before midnight: Brittney Timeline
McInnes sends a last text message to best friend Ashlee Endicott.
- ¦ Sunday: McInnes is killed in her own home.
- ¦ Monday, 5 a.m.: EMS is called to take Brad Rietze to hospital with undisclosed medical problems.
- ¦ Monday, noon: McInnes's mother reports her daughter missing to police
- ¦ Monday, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.: Police search the Canaveral Crescent S.W. house. Brittney's body is not found.
- ¦ Monday, 4:46 p.m.: A relative finds Brittney's body and calls police.
- ¦ Thursday: Rietze is released from hospital and arrested by police.
- ¦ Monday: Rietze is to make his first appearance in court.
dtetley@theherald.canwest.com
Dad stabs mom to death, and her 2- and 5-year-old daughters; couple also had infant twins (Brooklyn, New York)
Dad JERMAINE RUIZ has been charged with 3 counts of murder in the stabbing death of his girlfriend, the mother of their 7-month-old twins, and the girlfriend's two daughters, ages 2 and 5.
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/01/brooklyn_man_ch.php
Brooklyn man charged in triple homicide
By Julia in Crime, JuliaSaturday, Jan. 23 2010 @ 1:50PM
Jermaine Ruiz of Flatbush, Brooklyn was charged today with three counts of murder in the stabbing deaths of his girlfriend, who the News is identifying as Jessica Ybe, 22, and her 2- and 5-year-old daughters. Ruiz, 24, reportedly confessed the murders to his father, who notified police.
When officers arrived at the second-story apartment on Rogers Ave, they saw Ybe's body from the doorway partially stuffed into a garbage bag. The children, rolled in a carpet, were found in another room. Police say that Ruiz admitted to stabbing them on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, and then spending a day in the house with the bodies before calling his father. A downstairs neighbor reported blood coming through her ceiling, and another neighbor that Ruiz asked his super on Thursday where to find a dumpster to throw out "heavy" trash that would "smell."
Police say that Ruiz and Abe were fighting Wednesday night. Neighbors say the fight was over Ruiz smoking around the kids. Neither was Ruiz' child, although police say the couple had a pair of 7-month-old twins together. The babies are with Ruiz' mother.
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/01/brooklyn_man_ch.php
Brooklyn man charged in triple homicide
By Julia in Crime, JuliaSaturday, Jan. 23 2010 @ 1:50PM
Jermaine Ruiz of Flatbush, Brooklyn was charged today with three counts of murder in the stabbing deaths of his girlfriend, who the News is identifying as Jessica Ybe, 22, and her 2- and 5-year-old daughters. Ruiz, 24, reportedly confessed the murders to his father, who notified police.
When officers arrived at the second-story apartment on Rogers Ave, they saw Ybe's body from the doorway partially stuffed into a garbage bag. The children, rolled in a carpet, were found in another room. Police say that Ruiz admitted to stabbing them on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, and then spending a day in the house with the bodies before calling his father. A downstairs neighbor reported blood coming through her ceiling, and another neighbor that Ruiz asked his super on Thursday where to find a dumpster to throw out "heavy" trash that would "smell."
Police say that Ruiz and Abe were fighting Wednesday night. Neighbors say the fight was over Ruiz smoking around the kids. Neither was Ruiz' child, although police say the couple had a pair of 7-month-old twins together. The babies are with Ruiz' mother.
Judge seals records in case where dad was at bar, baby died alone at home (Denver, Colorado)
It could be months before the public finds out how and why this 5-month-old baby died. It is currently assumed that he died sometime after he was abandoned at home by his "caretaker" dad, JOSEPH TRUJILLO. Apparently, Daddy decided that baby minding wasn't for him, so he went to the bar for "up to seven hours." Mom is in the military, stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14251038
Details about 5-month-old's death sealed
By Howard Pankratz
The Denver Post
Posted: 01/23/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
Updated: 01/23/2010 01:55:45 AM MST
Circumstances surrounding the death of a 5-month-old boy were clouded in mystery Friday after a judge sealed an arrest affidavit for the boy's father and the coroner said it would be months before the child's autopsy results are released.
On Thursday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office arrested Joseph Trujillo, 23, alleging that his 5-month-old son died while Trujillo spent up to seven hours at a local bar drinking.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the child's grandmother called 911 about 12:30 a.m. Thursday and told dispatchers her son Joseph was holding the baby and crying.
The grandmother, who lived at the condominium apartment in the 16000 block of West 10th Avenue in unincorporated Jefferson County with Trujillo and the child, called 911 after waking up and hearing her son crying.
Jefferson County coroner Katherine Loughrey-Stemp said an autopsy was performed Friday on the infant. But Loughrey- Stemp said the autopsy report will not be made public for several months until toxicology reports are completed.
She said she will share preliminary findings with the Sheriff's Office, but those will not be made public.
Calls to authorities seeking additional information about the investigation were not returned Friday.
Pam Russell, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County district attorney's office, stressed Friday that Trujillo has not been charged with a crime and that the Sheriff's Office has yet to present a case to the DA for consideration.
Russell said Scott Storey, the Jefferson County DA, will review the case to decide whether to file charges.
Trujillo appeared in Jefferson County Court on Friday and was advised that he was being held for investigation of murder. He will return to court Thursday for his second advisement.
According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Trujillo was arrested in Kansas on March 1, 2009, for misdemeanor driving under the influence near Junction City, Kan.
Court records indicate he was sentenced to 12 months in jail. But the sentence was suspended, and he was placed on probation.
Colorado computerized arrest and court records show Trujillo's only prior arrest in Colorado was for failing to appear in court on a traffic charge.
Calls to the Army at Fort Riley, Kan., concerning Trujillo and the boy's mother, who is in the Army, were not returned.
Authorities said that the grandmother is not a suspect in the case. She works afternoons and nights and returned home before Trujillo. She went to bed believing that Trujillo had left the home and took the child with him.
Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14251038#ixzz0dThQIQW8
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14251038
Details about 5-month-old's death sealed
By Howard Pankratz
The Denver Post
Posted: 01/23/2010 01:00:00 AM MST
Updated: 01/23/2010 01:55:45 AM MST
Circumstances surrounding the death of a 5-month-old boy were clouded in mystery Friday after a judge sealed an arrest affidavit for the boy's father and the coroner said it would be months before the child's autopsy results are released.
On Thursday, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office arrested Joseph Trujillo, 23, alleging that his 5-month-old son died while Trujillo spent up to seven hours at a local bar drinking.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the child's grandmother called 911 about 12:30 a.m. Thursday and told dispatchers her son Joseph was holding the baby and crying.
The grandmother, who lived at the condominium apartment in the 16000 block of West 10th Avenue in unincorporated Jefferson County with Trujillo and the child, called 911 after waking up and hearing her son crying.
Jefferson County coroner Katherine Loughrey-Stemp said an autopsy was performed Friday on the infant. But Loughrey- Stemp said the autopsy report will not be made public for several months until toxicology reports are completed.
She said she will share preliminary findings with the Sheriff's Office, but those will not be made public.
Calls to authorities seeking additional information about the investigation were not returned Friday.
Pam Russell, spokeswoman for the Jefferson County district attorney's office, stressed Friday that Trujillo has not been charged with a crime and that the Sheriff's Office has yet to present a case to the DA for consideration.
Russell said Scott Storey, the Jefferson County DA, will review the case to decide whether to file charges.
Trujillo appeared in Jefferson County Court on Friday and was advised that he was being held for investigation of murder. He will return to court Thursday for his second advisement.
According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Trujillo was arrested in Kansas on March 1, 2009, for misdemeanor driving under the influence near Junction City, Kan.
Court records indicate he was sentenced to 12 months in jail. But the sentence was suspended, and he was placed on probation.
Colorado computerized arrest and court records show Trujillo's only prior arrest in Colorado was for failing to appear in court on a traffic charge.
Calls to the Army at Fort Riley, Kan., concerning Trujillo and the boy's mother, who is in the Army, were not returned.
Authorities said that the grandmother is not a suspect in the case. She works afternoons and nights and returned home before Trujillo. She went to bed believing that Trujillo had left the home and took the child with him.
Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_14251038#ixzz0dThQIQW8
Dad arrested for fracturing leg of 1-month-old daughter (Ocala, Florida)
This kind of injury has shown up more than once at Dastardly Dads. It seems some guys get a little sadistic when changing the baby's diapers, and deliberately twist the leg and break it. In this case, dad AARON LEE DURNING has been arrested and charged with child abuse. He admits he pulled up his 1-month-old daughter by the leg while changing her diaper because "he was in a hurry." The doctor doesn't think this was a thoughtless accident. In fact, the doctor believes that "the fracture was consistent with intentional twisting" and that it "would take a substantial amount of force to cause the injury."
Check out the diapers/potty-training tab for similar tales of abuse.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20100122/ARTICLES/100129912?Title=Child-abuse-charge-levied-after-baby-s-leg-fractured&tc=ar
Child abuse charge levied after baby's leg fractured
By Austin L. Miller
Staff writer
Published: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 2:29 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 2:40 p.m.
OCALA - A man accused of fracturing a baby's leg while changing her diaper has been arrested and charged with child abuse, according to officials.
On Nov. 16, sheriff's deputies received a report that a 1-month-old girl was injured at her Silver Springs Shores home.
A few days later, Detective Frank Scala interviewed the parents. The wife told the official that while she was occupied, her husband said he heard a "pop" when he pulled his daughter up by the leg while attempting to put a diaper under her.
An X-ray of the child's fractured right leg was taken. On Dec. 14, a doctor with the Child Protective Team told Scala the fracture was consistent with intentional twisting and was not an accident, adding "it would take a substantial amount of force to cause the injury," the report noted.
On Thursday, Scala re-interviewed the father, Aaron Lee Durning. He told Scala the injury was "accidental" and he was in a hurry to change the diaper and "could have used more force than necessary to lift her legs."
Durning was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
- Austin L. Miller
Check out the diapers/potty-training tab for similar tales of abuse.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20100122/ARTICLES/100129912?Title=Child-abuse-charge-levied-after-baby-s-leg-fractured&tc=ar
Child abuse charge levied after baby's leg fractured
By Austin L. Miller
Staff writer
Published: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 2:29 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 2:40 p.m.
OCALA - A man accused of fracturing a baby's leg while changing her diaper has been arrested and charged with child abuse, according to officials.
On Nov. 16, sheriff's deputies received a report that a 1-month-old girl was injured at her Silver Springs Shores home.
A few days later, Detective Frank Scala interviewed the parents. The wife told the official that while she was occupied, her husband said he heard a "pop" when he pulled his daughter up by the leg while attempting to put a diaper under her.
An X-ray of the child's fractured right leg was taken. On Dec. 14, a doctor with the Child Protective Team told Scala the fracture was consistent with intentional twisting and was not an accident, adding "it would take a substantial amount of force to cause the injury," the report noted.
On Thursday, Scala re-interviewed the father, Aaron Lee Durning. He told Scala the injury was "accidental" and he was in a hurry to change the diaper and "could have used more force than necessary to lift her legs."
Durning was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail.
- Austin L. Miller
Dad charged with shaking 3-month-old daughter (Franklin, North Carolina)
A very well-written news article. Seldom do reporters take the time to give the reader any background on Shaken Baby Syndrome, nor any information about the major perpetrators (dads).
In this case, dad JOSHUA NATHANIEL GRANT has been arrested on felony intentional child abuse for the violent shaking of his 3-month-old daughter.
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100123/NEWS01/301230025
Macon man charged with shaking baby
By Jon Ostendorff • January 23, 2010
FRANKLIN — Authorities charged a Macon County man Friday with abuse after a 3-month-old girl was treated for injuries investigators believe occurred when she was violently shaken.
Joshua Nathaniel Grant, 22, of Topton, was arrested on felony intentional child abuse causing serious injury. He was in jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.
The injuries to the child include brain trauma and injury to her right eye, according to court papers. The warrant does not say Grant's relation to the child but she has his last name.
His court date is set for Feb. 11.
The child has been released from the hospital.
Sheriff Robert Holland declined comment on the case beyond details offered in court papers. He would not discuss whether Grant was the child's father.
“No matter what the situation is there is absolutely no acceptable excuse as to why a parent or anyone else would shake an infant,” he said. “Many of the symptoms are unable to be seen at the time of the actual assault. An infant is the most vulnerable of victims and these cases are very difficult to work because the child cannot speak and tell who hurt them.”
The case is at least the second in the region in the last year.
Authorities in Haywood County charged the father of a 5-week-old girl with abuse in September after the child was shaken so hard her brain slammed against her skull, destroying her retinal tissue and causing permanent damage to the part of the brain that controls sight.
About 1,400 cases of shaken-baby syndrome are reported each year nationwide, according to the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, which hosts a Web site about the abuse.
One in four babies dies from the abuse. Most of the attackers are men and often they are the fathers of the victims.
Law enforcement officers across the country told the Associated Press last year that the economic recession and high unemployment has led to more cases of child abuse.
Some hospitals are seeing twice as many cases of shaken-baby syndrome, according to the April report.
In this case, dad JOSHUA NATHANIEL GRANT has been arrested on felony intentional child abuse for the violent shaking of his 3-month-old daughter.
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100123/NEWS01/301230025
Macon man charged with shaking baby
By Jon Ostendorff • January 23, 2010
FRANKLIN — Authorities charged a Macon County man Friday with abuse after a 3-month-old girl was treated for injuries investigators believe occurred when she was violently shaken.
Joshua Nathaniel Grant, 22, of Topton, was arrested on felony intentional child abuse causing serious injury. He was in jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.
The injuries to the child include brain trauma and injury to her right eye, according to court papers. The warrant does not say Grant's relation to the child but she has his last name.
His court date is set for Feb. 11.
The child has been released from the hospital.
Sheriff Robert Holland declined comment on the case beyond details offered in court papers. He would not discuss whether Grant was the child's father.
“No matter what the situation is there is absolutely no acceptable excuse as to why a parent or anyone else would shake an infant,” he said. “Many of the symptoms are unable to be seen at the time of the actual assault. An infant is the most vulnerable of victims and these cases are very difficult to work because the child cannot speak and tell who hurt them.”
The case is at least the second in the region in the last year.
Authorities in Haywood County charged the father of a 5-week-old girl with abuse in September after the child was shaken so hard her brain slammed against her skull, destroying her retinal tissue and causing permanent damage to the part of the brain that controls sight.
About 1,400 cases of shaken-baby syndrome are reported each year nationwide, according to the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, which hosts a Web site about the abuse.
One in four babies dies from the abuse. Most of the attackers are men and often they are the fathers of the victims.
Law enforcement officers across the country told the Associated Press last year that the economic recession and high unemployment has led to more cases of child abuse.
Some hospitals are seeing twice as many cases of shaken-baby syndrome, according to the April report.
Huh? Dad gets full custody when custodial mom, 3-year-old son "disappear" (Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania)
This is a frightening precedent.
Two months ago, a custodial mother and her 3-year-old son "disappeared" from the apartment they shared with the boy's father after "an argument." It does not appear that the parents were married. There was never any suggestion that the boy was endangered by the mother in any way. The mother and son have visited at least one domestic violence shelter, but because of confidentiality concerns, authorities won't identify which one (well thank goodness for that at least.)
During the interim, an unnamed judge gave the father FULL CUSTODY. And now the media, the police, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are all tracking down the mother and her son like dogs.
WHY? This is an outrage.
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/01/23/news/doc4b5a726799a99802477841.txt
Police investigating missing mom, son from Sharon Hill
Published: Saturday, January 23, 2010
By TIMOTHY LOGUE
tlogue@delcotimes.com
SHARON HILL — A missing 3½-year-old boy and his mother have visited at least one domestic abuse shelter since they disappeared two months ago, police said.
“One of our officers took a report of (a siting) as recently as two weeks ago,” Sharon Hill Police Detective Richard Herron Jr. said of Danielle Horvat and her son, Garrett Aguilar.
Police said Horvat, 33, and the boy’s father, David Aguilar, had an argument on the morning of Nov. 23 at the apartment they shared in the Spring Village complex in the 600 block of Poplar Street.
“Then he went to work and when he came home, they were gone,” said Officer Stephen J. Mummo.
Though police immediately started an investigation, Mummo said charges were never filed because Garrett was with a custodial parent and there was no evidence he was in any immediate physical danger.
“There were no priors at that residence, no domestic abuse calls or (protection from abuse orders),” Mummo said.
On Jan. 20, a judge awarded full custody of the boy to David Aguilar, prompting police to reach out to the media and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“I just got off the phone with one of their case managers and they are putting together a flier and information on the Internet,” Mummo said. “The focus with be in the (tri-state) area, especially in the Upper Chichester area where she is from.”
Horvat is a 1995 graduate of Sun Valley High School.
“We have no criminal charges pending against Ms. Horvat,” said Chief Robert Tinsley. “With that in mind, we would like to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”
Police said Horvat has not told her family about any prior abuse or said she left because she feared for her safety, or for the welfare of her son.
The county’s domestic abuse shelters promise confidentiality to their residents and police are not privy to anything more than the most basic information.
“We work through the county or the D.A.’s office in these circumstances,” Mummo said. “And all they can tell us is, ‘They came into one of our shelters and they are OK.’”
Police are still not certain why Horvat decided to flee.
“There was no definitive answer (for leaving) that we know of,” Mummo said. “Apparently, she just didn’t want to go back.”
Information on Horvat and Garrett has been logged into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.
“There is a good chance she has no idea this custody has come down,” Herron said. “Right now, our main concern is for the safety of the child.”
Two months ago, a custodial mother and her 3-year-old son "disappeared" from the apartment they shared with the boy's father after "an argument." It does not appear that the parents were married. There was never any suggestion that the boy was endangered by the mother in any way. The mother and son have visited at least one domestic violence shelter, but because of confidentiality concerns, authorities won't identify which one (well thank goodness for that at least.)
During the interim, an unnamed judge gave the father FULL CUSTODY. And now the media, the police, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are all tracking down the mother and her son like dogs.
WHY? This is an outrage.
http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/01/23/news/doc4b5a726799a99802477841.txt
Police investigating missing mom, son from Sharon Hill
Published: Saturday, January 23, 2010
By TIMOTHY LOGUE
tlogue@delcotimes.com
SHARON HILL — A missing 3½-year-old boy and his mother have visited at least one domestic abuse shelter since they disappeared two months ago, police said.
“One of our officers took a report of (a siting) as recently as two weeks ago,” Sharon Hill Police Detective Richard Herron Jr. said of Danielle Horvat and her son, Garrett Aguilar.
Police said Horvat, 33, and the boy’s father, David Aguilar, had an argument on the morning of Nov. 23 at the apartment they shared in the Spring Village complex in the 600 block of Poplar Street.
“Then he went to work and when he came home, they were gone,” said Officer Stephen J. Mummo.
Though police immediately started an investigation, Mummo said charges were never filed because Garrett was with a custodial parent and there was no evidence he was in any immediate physical danger.
“There were no priors at that residence, no domestic abuse calls or (protection from abuse orders),” Mummo said.
On Jan. 20, a judge awarded full custody of the boy to David Aguilar, prompting police to reach out to the media and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“I just got off the phone with one of their case managers and they are putting together a flier and information on the Internet,” Mummo said. “The focus with be in the (tri-state) area, especially in the Upper Chichester area where she is from.”
Horvat is a 1995 graduate of Sun Valley High School.
“We have no criminal charges pending against Ms. Horvat,” said Chief Robert Tinsley. “With that in mind, we would like to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”
Police said Horvat has not told her family about any prior abuse or said she left because she feared for her safety, or for the welfare of her son.
The county’s domestic abuse shelters promise confidentiality to their residents and police are not privy to anything more than the most basic information.
“We work through the county or the D.A.’s office in these circumstances,” Mummo said. “And all they can tell us is, ‘They came into one of our shelters and they are OK.’”
Police are still not certain why Horvat decided to flee.
“There was no definitive answer (for leaving) that we know of,” Mummo said. “Apparently, she just didn’t want to go back.”
Information on Horvat and Garrett has been logged into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.
“There is a good chance she has no idea this custody has come down,” Herron said. “Right now, our main concern is for the safety of the child.”
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