More information on custodial father who almost drowned daughter (Clinton, Arkansas)

More information on custodial dad SAMUEL MERRYMAN. How did this overly zealous delusional father get custody of these kids anyway? Who made that decision? This little girl is dang lucky her whack job dad didn't kill her when he held her under water till she blacked out in some sort of "baptism."

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=89978&catid=2

Father Accused Of Holding Daughter Underwater

A 40-year-old Clinton man is out on a $50,000 bond after allegedly almost drowning his daughter while baptizing her. Samuel Merryman told police God asked him to do it.

Kristy Merryman says her ex-husband is a very religious man and had baptized her daughter several times before, but she says he went too far on July 29th when he allegedly held the eight-year-old under water until she blacked out.

"She was like his boy; they did everything together, fishing, hunting. She helped him work; they were buddies," says Kristy Merryman.

That's why she says she is still trying to wrap her head around what allegedly happened to her daughter.

"He has told me before about hearing voices and stuff, and that's what I kept telling him, 'How do you know that was God's voice? You've admitted to me to hearing voices before and God wouldn't tell you to do something like that anyway,' but he swears he knows God's voice," said Kristy Merryman.

Police arrested Samuel Merryman on July 31st. Sheriff Scott Bradley says he cooperated with their investigations and told Van Buren County police what happened. "He did say that it was something that the Lord was telling him to do," says Chief Bradley.


Merryman is charged with battery, endangerment of a minor and kidnapping. He said in a phone call Wednesday that all questions should be directed to his lawyer. Today's THV is working on getting in touch with his attorney.

Kirsty Merryman says it bothers her that her ex-husband is now out on bond. "My fear is that he's going to get away with this and then get to be around my kids and just continue to brainwash them with his extreme religion that doesn't even make any sense," she said.

Samuel Merryman had custody of both his children, but his ex-wife now has temporary custody. His daughter reportedly told her aunt about the incident first. That aunt then told Kristy Merryman.