This is an almost classic scenario of how babies get killed. (Presumably unemployed) dad VINCENT BLANDA was assigned to be the caretaker of the baby while mom had to go to work. As is too often the case, Dad had neither the temperament nor the patience to take care of an infant. When the baby cried, he didn't take Mom's advise, which was to wrap her in a blanket, give her a pacifier, and walk her. Oh no. Dad shook her till till she turned pale and presumably stopped breathing. The baby subsequently died.
Why are underpaid mothers being stuck in the workforce while incompetent, unemployed fathers kill the children? Why don't we have year-long maternity leaves in this country? Why oh why....
http://www.journal-news.com/news/crime/jail-cell-evidence-contested-426914.html
Jail cell evidence contested
By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer
8:19 PM Monday, November 30, 2009
HAMILTON — A Hamilton father scheduled to stand trial next month for allegedly shaking his infant daughter to death in 2008 was in court Monday, Nov. 30, for a hearing concerning the search of his Butler County Jail cell.
Vincent Blanda, 38, was indicted by a grand jury in May 2008 for murder, domestic violence and endangering children in the death of his 5-month-old daughter, Brooklynn, in March of that year.
In August, Hamilton police executed a search warrant at Blanda’s cell in the county jai, where he has been housed since his indictment. Taken from the cell were journals, a “mini statement” and mouth swabs from Blanda, according to court records.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer McElfresh, the search warrant was the result of letters believed to have been sent by Blanda to the prosecutor’s office and children services.
McElfresh said there is an ongoing investigation into Blanda’s “conduct” that could result in further charges.
Blanda’s attorney, Jeremy Evans, asked Oney to unseal the affidavit of probable cause for the search warrant and requested a hearing to suppress any statements seized from Blanda that might be used as a part of his trial.
Oney granted both requests and set a motion for suppress hearing for Jan. 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Hamilton police said Blanda told them on March 24 he gave the child her pacifier and fed her from the bottle prepared by her mother befor she left for work.
Blanda said he called the baby’s mother when the infant would not stop crying, and she told him to wrap the child in a blanket, give her a pacifier and continue to walk with her, according to detectives.
When the infant continued to cry, Blanda told police he shook Brooklynn harder, and the baby became pale.
Evans has filed a plea for Blanda of not guilty by reason of insanity, which is expected to be part of the defense at his trial. Earlier this year Oney found Blanda competent to stand trial after a psychological evaluation.