An update to our previous 76 Killer Dads, 88 Killer Dads, and 138 Killer Dads lists.
This is NOT a comprehensive list of all U.S. fathers who have killed their children in situations involving domestic violence and/or child abuse. This list is limited to articles I have found where there is an identifiable child custody, visitation, and/or child support angle in the children's deaths. Even then, I can’t claim that this is a comprehensive list of child custody, visitation, and or child-support- related murders. Quite often, newspaper articles just don’t provide enough information to make a judgment call.
There is no time limit to the actual dates of death on this list, though most are comparatively recent— usually (but not always) with an article on the deaths appearing in the last three years or so. (Often it takes years for charges to get filed in these cases, or for cases to go to trial.) Note that there are several cases going back to the 1990s.
Feel free to use this as a data base for additional research or to narrow the deaths down to the time period, geographic setting, or other criteria of your choosing.
If you know of a worthy case that has been omitted, feel free to contact me and I will see about adding the case during the next update. This is very much a work in progress.
Because many have asked which cases specifically involve a family court which ignored the concerns of a protective mother or involved notable court and/or CPS incompetence/corruption, I have marked some of the more egregious cases of that type with an asterisk. Of course, the criterion is somewhat subjective, and is also based on having enough media coverage to discern whether these factors were present. Once again, that doesn’t mean that other cases on this list didn’t involve those factors. Only that I have insufficient information at this time.
Additional information can be found on all these cases by searching the Dastardly Dads site.
175 Killer Dads: Fathers who ended their children's lives in situations involving child custody, visitation, and/or child support (USA)
ALABAMA
Franklin County
Father: PAUL GONZALEZ
Victim(s): Andrea Gonzalez (5 years)
Date of Death: Reported missing in November 1993. Body never recovered.
Custodial father eventually pleads guilty to manslaughter. Stepmother charged with child abuse.
Jefferson County
Father: CORY RICE
Victim(s): Janiya Nicole Hale (1 year)
Date of Death: July 2009
Father, a registered sex offender, is charged with murder. Daughter died during overnight visitation.
Mobile County
Father: JOHN DEBLASE
Victim(s): Natalie Deblase (4 years), Chase Deblase (3 years)
Date of Death: Unclear. Bodies located in December 2010 after children hadn’t been seen for months.
Father was apparently custodial at the time of children’s deaths. Both father, girlfriend are charged with murder.
Montgomery County
Father: ALVIN JOHNSON
Victim(s): Chad (C.J.) Johnson (3 years)
Date of Death: May 2008
Father had been in “custody battle” with mother, and had secured custody just two months before the boy’s murder. Father on trial in November 2010.
Morgan County
Father: GARY LEE WILBOURN
Victim(s): Amy Jean Wilbourn (infant)
Date of Death: December 2008
Father with either “temporary” or “permanent” custody of infant daughter charged with capital murder. In October 2010, father pleads not guilty, with trial scheduled for August 2011.
ARIZONA
Cococino County
*Father: RYAN PETERS
Victim(s): Teigan Peters (aka Teigan Brown) (3 years)
Date of Death: June 2009
Daughter killed in murder-suicide during court-ordered visitation . Mother had applied for orders of protection.
Maricopa County
Father: ALLEN CHAMBERS
Victim(s): Mindi Chambers (17 years)
Date of Death: Assumed to have been murdered around the time she went missing in 1982.
Custodial father ALLEN CHAMBERS is now presumed to have murdered Mindi Chambers around the time she went missing. Daughter had reported sexual abuse to the authorities. Not reported as officially missing till 1995.
Father: JEFFREY DUCHANE
Victim(s): Trenay Duchane (12 years)
Date of Death: November 2008
Custodial father and stepmother convicted of murder.
Father: RAUL MOLINA GONZALEZ
Victim(s): Anthony Gonzalez (11 years)
Date of Death: Summer 2005
Father convicted of murdering son during summer visitation.
*Father: NUSHAWN CAMPBELL
Victim(s): Unnamed son (5 years)
Date of Death: June 2009
Father with sole custody stabs son to death in failed murder-suicide. Mother had been trying to regain custody. In October 2010, father pleaded guilty to 1st-degree murder.
Father: ANDRE LETEVE
Victim(s): Alec Leteve (5 years), Asher Leteve (1 year)
Date of Death: March 2010
Parents in process of getting divorce, but had agreed to joint custody. Sons shot to death in failed murder-suicide. Father apparently "feared" mother would attempt a move away.
Father: SERGIO THOMAS
Victim(s): 7-month-old daughter
Date of Death: December 2010
Father arrested for death of 7-month-old daughter. Parents had “verbal custody agreement” to share children on weekly basis. Dad had history of domestic violence arrests.
Pima County
*Father: CHRISTOPHER PAINE
Victim(s): Ariana Paine (3 years), Tyler Paine (4 years)
Date of Death: 2006
Mother originally got custody in 2003. In January 2006, father asked for informal visitation, which the mother granted. In March, the father refused to return the children. The mother contacted the Tucson police regarding her custody order, and they refused to retrieve the children. Within months the children are dead (exact date unknown, only one body was found). Mother sued City of Tucson CPS, and they settled for $1 million in June 2008. In October 2010, Judge Carmine Cornello dismissed mother’s suit against the police.
CALIFORNIA
Contra Costa County
Father: ERHAN KAYIK
Victim(s): Volkan Kayik (16 years)
Date of Death: July 2007
Custodial father found guilty in 2009 of strangulation death of son.
El Dorado County
Father: DAVID ELIOTT
Victim(s): Chandler Nash-Eliott (11 years)
Date of Death: December 2009
Father not charged in the "suicide" of son. Father had physical custody, parents had shared legal custody. Father had extensive history with CPS regarding neglect, abuse, lack of supervision, etc.
Los Angeles County
Father: DAVID HELMS
Victim(s): Lance Helms (2 1/2 years)
Date of Death: 1995
Custodial dad convicted in beating death of son. Father had obtained custody despite extensive history of violence, drug abuse.
Father: CAMERON BROWN
Victim(s): Lauren Sarene Key (4 years)
Date of Death: November 2000
Father scheduled to go to trial for 3rd time for death of daughter. Daughter was allegedly pushed off cliff during visitation in order to avoid child support.
Father: EDUARDO VILLAREAL
Victim(s): Trudy Bonilla (ex-girlfriend, mother of child), Naomi (ten days)
Date of Death: October 2010
Father in “custody dispute” with mother of newborn child rams his truck into bedroom where his ex, the baby are sleeping. Both are killed.
Orange County
Father: GIDEON WALTER OMONDI
Victim(s): Richie Omondi (4 years)
Date of Death: 2006
Father shared custody with the child's mother. Drowned son to avoid child support. Father convicted of 1st-degree murder in January 2010.
Father: UNNAMED FATHER
Victim(s): Soon to be ex-wife, daughter (8 years)
Date of Death: November 2010
Father in “custody dispute” shoots and kills ex-wife, daughter in murder-suicide.
Riverside County
*Father: ALEXANDRO BAEZA
Victim(s): Isaac Gallegos (2 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Father charged with murder in the death of son, who was killed during weekend visitation with the father. Parents had never been married and had been in a “custody dispute” for the past year. The “family” had a history with CPS. Father had shown zero interest in the baby for the first year. And yet the judge--in this case Judge John M. Pacheco--awarded the father twice-a-week visitation anyway. He then proceeded to ignore the mother's concerns regarding the child's injuries and signs of psychological trauma. In fact, he threatened to strip the mother of custody for bringing up her concerns. In December 2010, father ordered to trial.
Father: ANGEL GARCIA III
Victim(s): 5-year-old daughter
Date of Death: November 2010
Father, step arrested for murder, accessory to murder. Custodial status unclear.
Sacramento County
Father: ADRIAN RAMON MCGRATH
Victim(s): Jeremiah McGrath (3 years)
Date of Death: March 2010
Son beaten to death in home of father, stepmother
San Bernadino County
Father: JESUS ROMAN FUENTES
Victim(s): Jesus Gabriel Fuentes (4 years)
Date of Death: February 2010
Father crashes car, shoots to death son during visitation. Parents divorced. Father in critical condition from self-inflicted gunshot wound.
*Father: STEPHEN CHARLES GARCIA
Victim(s): Wyatt Garcia (9 months)
Date of Death: January 2010
Father kills son in murder-suicide during court-ordered visitation. Parents never married. Mother had pleaded with 3 judges regarding father's violence, threats.
San Diego County
Father: DENNIS POTTS
Victim(s): Tori Vienneau (22 years), Dean Springtube (10 months)
Date of Death: July 2006
Father is convicted September 2009 in the murders of his former girlfriend and son. Father didn't want to take paternity test, pay child support.
Ventura County
Father: JAMES MULVANEY
Victim(s): Jason Mulvaney (12 years), Jennifer Mulvaney (7 years)
Date of Death: September 2009
Father stabs to death son and daughter in murder-suicide during overnight visitation. Parents had shared custody and were still involved in divorce, custody case.
COLORADO
Arapahoe County
Father: AARON THOMPSON
Victim(s): Aarone Thompson (7 years)
Date of Death: Reported missing in November 2005. Body never recovered.
Father convicted in September 2009 in daughter's murder. Father had custody, as he had abducted the children from mother in Michigan.
El Paso County
*Father: HANIF SIMS
Victim(s): Genesis Sims (9 years)
Date of Death: December 2008
Father obtained custody in New Jersey and retained custody despite child abuse investigations in that state. Father and girlfriend relocated to Colorado. Girl’s remains found in former home’s crawl space in May 2010. In November 2010, Father, girlfriend both charged in girl’s death, ordered to trial.
Jefferson County
Father: JOSEPH TRUJILLO
Victim(s): Adrian Trujillo (5 months)
Date of Death: January 2010
Father charged in death of infant son. Father had physical custody while mother in military. Father alleged to have left baby alone while father went out drinking for 7 hours. Baby later found dead. In October 2010, father sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Logan County
Father: MARK WEEKS
Victim(s): Alexis McClain (3 years)
Date of Death: July 2010
Custodial father, step charged with murder in death of daughter. Non-custodial mother lives out of state, apparently in California. Father’s next court appearance scheduled for January 2011.
CONNECTICUT
New Haven County
Father: MORRIES D. HILL SR.
Victim(s): Morries Hill Jr. (5 months)
Date of Death: 2008
Father charged in connection with the death of son. Baby died from "severe physical abuse." Infant died in father's home during overnight visitation.
FLORIDA
Alachua County
Father: ANTHONY SCOTT ENCLARDE
Victim(s): Ashton (14 months)
Date of Death: January 2011
Father charged with manslaughter. Custodial arrangements not clear, though mother did not live in the home and apparently gave birth in North Carolina. Father on probation for previous child neglect concerning another child.
Bay County
Father: THOMAS EVERETT BROWN IV
Victim(s): unnamed Child (20 months), unnamed child injured (7 months)
Date of Death: August 2010
Father facing open murder count in beating death of 20-month-old child. News accounts mention that parents lived in separate households, but custody/visitation arrangements not explained. Father has violent criminal record.
Citrus County
Father: SPENCER WEAVER
Victim(s): Unnamed son (2 months)
Date of Death: February 2010
Father with extensive criminal background being investigated in death of infant son, who died during visitation with father.
Colllier County
Father: SAMUEL SEJOUR
Victim(s): Elijay Kye Aliazar (3 months)
Date of Death: January 2009
Father had shared custody with infant's mother. Son died of blunt force trauma to the head during visitation. Father charged w. 2nd-degree murder.
Duval County
*Father: JOSI M. HALL
Victim(s): Kyla Hall (1 year)
Date of Death: 2008
Father had sole custody, and had been cleared of previous abuse allegations. Daughter died of blunt force trauma at home. Father convicted of 2nd-degree murder, and in May 2010, sentenced to life in prison.
Father: ERNEST WRIGHT
Victim(s): Mesia Wright (2 years)
Date of Death: November 2010
Girl dies of methadone overdose while in visitation with father. Babysitting girlfriend charged with aggravated manslaughter. Mom had primary custody, but “allowed” child to stay with father when at work or school.
Gilchrist County
Father: ROLAND MATTHEW
Victim(s): Kristina Hepp (4 years)
Date of Death: April 2009
Father filed for custody in November 2008, obtained it in February 2009. Child was apparently sexually abused, battered, and tortured from the start. In April 2010, father pleaded no contest to 1st-degree murder, and sentenced to life in prison.
Hillsborough County
Father: CHAUNCEY ROBINSON
Victim(s): Chavon Robinson (22 months)
Date of Death: February 2008
Father convicted in December 2009 of murdering child during visitation.
Father: JUSTIN GARWACKI
Victim(s): John Taylor Baxley (3 years)
Date of Death: August 2010
Son normally lived with mother in Missouri. Child died during summer visitation with father, girlfriend. Both charged with murder in February 2011.
*Father: DWAYNE POOLE
Victim(s): Ronderique Anderson (16 months)
Date of Death: February 2011
Father acquired custody after the mother of the baby’s under-aged mother died, and baby’s mother was placed in foster care. Father had previous arrests for battery, and is charged with 1st-degree murder.
Jackson County
Father: WESLEY JONATHAN WILLIAMS
Victim(s): Danielle Baker (mother), sons Ahmaad (4 years) and Amarion (1 year), and unrelated infant.
Date of Death: 2005
Father allegedly committed quadruple murder because he was angry about child support.
Lake County
Father: RICHARD L. ADAMS
Victim(s): Kayla McKean (6 years)
Date of Death: 1998
Custodial father beat daughter to death. Had been subject of multiple CPS investigations.
Lee County
Father: MANUEL DE JESUS ROSALES
Victim(s): Karminda Rosales Salazar (20-year-old daughter that survived stabbing), grandson Josue Rosales (2 months)
Date of Death: May 2010
Custodial father sexually abused daughter, she gave birth to older child who survives. Father then attacked adult daughter with knife, and stabbed to death son she had with boyfriend.
Father: RYAN COSTELLO
Victim(s): Darwin (3 months)
Date of Death: June 2010
Father charged with 2nd-degree murder, but in November 2010, Costello released on bond and Judge J. Seals granted him visitation with surviving son.
Orange County
Father: ROOSEVELT BRADLEY II
Victim(s): Roosevelt Bradley III (8 months)
Date of Death: August 2009
Father arrested for murder of infant during visitation.
Osceola County
Father: MELVIN ORTIZ
Victim(s): Unnamed Son (5 years)
Date of Death: July 2009
Son beaten to death while visiting father, stepmother.
Palm Beach County
*Father: TONY CAMACHO
Victim(s): Crystal Camacho (8 years), Nelson Camacho (10 years)
Date of Death: December 2006
Father and mother were finalizing divorce. During Christmas visitation, father stabbed daughter, then killed her and brother Nelson Camacho (10 years) in arson murder-suicide. Mother had unsuccessfully petitioned for protection. Article from November 2010 mentions that surviving mother Jennie Carter is now an advocate for victims of domestic violence.
Pasco County
Father: THOMAS LUDWIG
Victim(s): Diella Ludwig (2 months)
Date of Death: December 2008
CPS granted father THOMAS LUDWIG custody of infant twins. Father charged with 1st-degree murder in Diella's death, and was convicted in November 2010.
Seminole County
Father: FIDEL JUAREZ-AVILA, SR
Victim(s): Aurelia Juarez (14 months)
Date of Death: June 2008
In March 2010, custodial father sentenced to 21 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter in death of daughter.
Volusia County
Father: MICHAEL REESE
Victim(s): Jeremiah Reese (14 years)
Date of Death: September 2009
Jeremiah Reese died of "accidental overdose" at the home of his custodial father. Father had long history of abuse, neglect with CPS.
GEORGIA
Athens-Clarke County
Father: KEITH JERMAINE GRESHAM
Victim(s): Keionte Gresham (4 years), Keion Gresham (7 years)
Date of Death: May 2010
Father shot children to death in murder-suicide during visitation. Had extensive history of stalking, domestic violence.
Clayton County
Father: JAMALL DECARLOS MATHIS
Victim(s): Ja’mari Myckahi Jones (17 months)
Date of Death: September 2009
In November 2010, father on trial for murdering son during visitation, allegedly to avoid child support.
DeKalb County
Father: GARY DETOMA
Victim(s): Gary DeToma Jr. (5 years), Will DeToma (4 years – injured)
Date of Death: July 2010
Father seeking “full custody” charged with murder of 5-year-old son during visitation. Parents had been going through divorce.
Gwinnett County
Father: ELVIS NOE GARCIA
Victim(s): Edward Garcia (1 year), Bradley Garcia (3 years)
Date of Death: February 2011
Father charged in fatal stabbing of two sons, and in critical stabbing of a third son. Father had been in “custody battle” with the mother over the children.
HAWAII
Honolulu County
*Father: NAEEM WILLIAMS
Victim(s): Talia Williams (5 years)
Date of Death: 2005
Custodial father still facing charges in daughter's death. Had gained custody just 7 months before murder.
IDAHO
Ada County
Father: NICHOLAS BACON
Victim(s): Bekm Bacon (8 months)
Date of Death: February 2010
Father shot to death son in murder-suicide. Parents going through divorce, but had joint custody. Infant killed during visitation with father.
Jerome County
Father: ROBERT ARAGON
Victim(s): Sage Aragon (11 years)
Date of Death: December 2008
Custodial father acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in hypothermia death of daughter. Father had told to her to walk to mother's home during blizzard.
Twin Falls County
Father: JIM NICE JR.
Victim(s): Justin Nice (6 years), Spencer Nice (6 years), Raquel Anna Nice (2 years)
Date of Death: 2005
Father murdered children with rat poison during court-ordered visitation.
ILLINOIS
Cook County
Father: JAMES LARRY
Victim(s): Jahad Larry (7 months), Kalesh Larry (3 years), Keyshai Fields (16 years), Tawana Thompson Larry (19 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Father with extensive criminal background charged in the murder of infant son, wife, two nieces. Had been awarded joint custody of infant through paternity action one week prior to killings.
DuPage County
Father: RICHARD LYONS
Victim(s): Mya (9 years)
Date of Death: July 2008
In January 2011, father finally arrested in stabbing death of daughter. Had been staying with father for summer visitation.
Kane County
Father: ANTONY MANGIAMELE
Victim(s): Riley (2 years)
Date of Death: February 2005
Father kills son in murder-suicide during unsupervised visitation ordered by Judge William Weir. According to October 2010 article, the judge resigned on the 4th anniversary of the boy’s murder.
McClean County
*Father: MICHAEL CONNELLY
Victim(s): Duncan Connelly (6 years) and Jack Connelly (4 years)
Date of Death: March 2009
Father killed sons in murder-suicide during court-ordered visitation. Mother had extensive involvement with the courts trying to prevent contact with father.
Father: JEFF MEECE
Victim(s): Erika Meese (14 months)
Date of Death: August 2009
In September 2010, father found unfit to stand trial for murder, though he had been granted twice weekly visitation. Daughter beaten to death with a baseball bat.
Will County
Father: CHIDI ESI
Victim(s): Nathan Esi (19 months)
Date of Death: October 2009
Father accused of drowning son during visitation.
INDIANA
Delaware County
*Father: RYAN MCCONNIEL
Victim(s): Lauren McConniel (5 years)
Date of Death: March 2010
Custodial father, step charged with felony child neglect charges. Girl died of severe malnutrition despite CPS investigations. Evidence that child was also sexually abused. Mother lost custody during divorce the year before in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was not represented by a lawyer.
Green County
Father: RONALD A. BOHANNON
Victim(s): Travis Bohannon (14 months)
Date of Death: August 2009
Father separated from wife. Son "accidently" shot during visitation. Father convicted of reckless homicide January 2010.
Lake County
Father: CORDELL RICHARDSON
Victim(s): Eboni Richardson (19 months)
Date of Death: August 2009
Father shot daughter during visitation. Didn't want child's mother to do a move away.
Father: TERRY BETHEL (aka Terry Noel)
Victim(s): Josiah Shaw (13 months)
Date of Death: January 2008
Father allegedly arranged to have visitation with son, then shot him to death to avoid child support.
Father: LEON BURNS
Victim(s): Leon Walker (5 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Boy found bound, tortured and beaten to death in home of custodial father. Death ruled a homicide.
Marion County
Father: JOSHWA CARLISLE
Victim(s): Ex-girlfriend Tracie Shannon (22 years), Juliana (9 months)
Date of Death: September 2010
Father arrested in arson murder of ex-girlfriend, infant daughter. Father allegedly wanted to avoid paying child support.
Tippecanoe County
Father: CHRISTIAN GAUVIN
Victim(s): Aiyana Gauvin (4 years)
Date of Death: March 2005
Child beaten to death after months of abuse and neglect. Custodial father sentenced to 50 years in prison.
KANSAS
Montgomery County
*Father: RANDY COONS
Victim(s): Brooklyn Coons (23 months)
Date of Death: January 2008
Girl died in home of custodial father. Girlfriend convicted of 1st-degree murder. Mother deceased. Safety concerns of maternal grandparents ignored by KS SRS.
Shawnee County
Father: JAMES KRAIG KAHLER
Victim(s): Karen Kahler (44 years), Emily Kahler (18 years), Lauren Kahler (16 years), Dorothy Wight (89 years)
Date of Death: Nov. 2009
Parents were in the process of divorcing, reportedly "sparring over children."
Sumner County
Father: UNNAMED FATHER
Victim(s): Caden Michael Reemes (4 years)
Date of Death: August 2009
Child asphyxiated at the home of his custodial UNNAMED FATHER.
KENTUCKY
Anderson County
*Father: TIMOTHY FRAZIER
Victim(s): Cole Frazier (21 months)
Date of Death: May 2009
Father obtained custody with police assistance through fraudulent EPO. Shot son to death in murder-suicide. Mother suing police, city.
Clark County
Father: PATRICK WATKINS
Victim(s): Michaela Watkins (10 years)
Date of Death: 2007
Custodial father, stepmother found guilty of murder in girl's death. Girl removed from mother's home by social workers.
LOUISIANA
Bossier Parish
*Father: WESLEY LOWE
Victim(s): Anna Celeste Lowe (5 years)
Date of Death: January 2011
Father got “temporary custody” after accusing mother of abuse. Though charges were determined to be unfounded, father managed to get 4 district judges to sign off 5 times on extending order. Father had history of domestic violence, drug abuse. Father charged with negligible homicide, step with 1st-degree murder.
Calcasieu Parish
Father: WILLIAM STEWARD VINCENT
Victim(s): Savanna Vincent (5 years)
Date of Death: June 2008
In July 2010, custodial father, step finally indicted for 2nd-degree murder.
East Baton Rouge Parish
Father: CLAYTON LEE MURPHY JR.
Victim(s): Juwan Murphy (8 years), Tayshuan Murphy (2 years)
Date of Death: October 2008
Father stabbed children to death during visitation in order to “get back” at his estranged wife. Had threatened to harm the children before. Convicted of 1st-degree murder in June 2010.
Livingston Parish
Father: EDUARDO KYLE HERODIAS
Victim(s): Kaylene Herodias (4 months), Kayla Herodias (4 months – severely injured)
Date of Death: May 2010
Father in “custody battle” with babies’ mother charged with 1st-degree murderer in death of twin daughter. Dad admitted shaking the babies during his visitation time.
Orleans Parish
Father: DANNY PLATT
Victim: Ja'Shawn (2 years)
Date of Death: January 2010
Father arrested in murder of son during weekend visitation; alleged that father had been trying to avoid paying back child support.
Pointe Coupee Parish
Father: AARON BOWMAN
Victim(s): Aaron Bowman, Jr.
Date of Death: November 2009
Father had "temporary" custody of son, 2-year-old daughter when son beaten to death. Father charged with 1st-degree murder.
MAINE
Kennebec County
Father: SHANE SOUCY
Victim(s): Connor Soucy (4 months)
Date of Death: August 2009
Infant became "unresponsive" during visit with father. Later died at hospital.
MARYLAND
Baltimore County
*Father: MARK CASTILLO
Victim(s): Anthony Castillo (6 years), Austin Castillo (4 years), Athena Castillo (2 years)
Date of Death: March 2008
Mother had tried to stop father from having access, but blocked by courts. Children murdered during court-ordered visitation.
Father: STEPHEN NELSON
Victim(s): Turner Jordan Nelson (3 years)
Date of Death: February 2008
Murdered by father by being thrown off bridge. Father and mother had argued in court over custody. In January 2011, father sentenced to 50 years in prison.
Father: TIMOTHY LEWIS
Victim(s): Chloe Lewis (6 months)
Date of Death: October 2010
“Sole Guardian” father charged with murder in suffocation death of daughter. Mom apparently lives in a group home and was “refused” custody.
Father: TYRONE HAMBER
Victim(s): Melonia Hamber (2 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Father charged in daughter's beating death. Child had been visiting with father for two weeks prior to her death.
Hartford County
Father: KEATON IRONS
Victim(s): Shamyrah Irons (1 year)
Date of Death: May 2010
Child beaten to death while child was “in the care and custody of her father.” Father charged with murder.
Montgomery County
Father: GERALD ROBERT WELLS
Victim(s): Jacob Matthew Dunn (23 months)
Date of Death: October 2006
Parents were never married. Father frequently protested against paying child support. Just months after filing for joint custody, father murdered son by asphyxiation during “planned visit.”
Talbot County
Father: RICHARD W. SPICKNALL II
Victim(s): Destiny Array Spicknall, wounded (3 years), Richard Spicknall III (2 years)
Date of Death: September 1999
Father with joint custody fabricates story of car high jacking, children found shot in car seats. Mother had reported previous domestic violence incident. Father charged with murder.
MASSACHUSETTS
Bristol County
Father: KRISTOPHER GRIFFIN
Victim(s): Kaitlyn (6 years)
Date of Death: July 2009
Father allegedly murdered daughter because he was concerned about a possible move away.
Essex County
Father: ERNESTO GONZALEZ
Victim(s): Giovanni Gonzalez (5 years)
Date of Death: August 2008
Boy “disappeared” during “scheduled visit” with father. Formal visitation agreement had yet to be worked out. Father had previous criminal convictions, including assault. Has apparently confessed to killing the boy, but no criminal conviction. Body has not been found.
Worcester County
Father: LESLIE G. SHULER
Victim(s): Nathaniel Turner (7 years)
Date of Death: June 2009
Father charged with beating death of son. Took place during father's summer visitation.
MICHIGAN
Lenawee County
Father: JOHN SKELTON
Victim(s): Andrew Skelton (9 years), Alexander Skelton (7 years), Tanner Skelton (5 years)
Date of Death: Presumably around November 2010
Children were presumably killed during court-ordered visitation. Father has reported many stories—that he left them with a woman, that he left them with a mysterious “organization.” However, police strongly suspect the children were murdered. No bodies have been found.
Macomb County
Father: JEFF WOLFENBARGER
Victim(s): Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger (2 years)
Date of Death: November 2010
Parents “shared” custody. Stepmom “ suspected” in girl’s death.
Montcalm County
*Father: OLIVER BRAMAN
Victim(s): Elaine Kaczor-Braman (stepmother), Nicholas Braman (9 years)
Date of Death: October 2007
Custodial father with history of domestic violence, child abuse kills second wife, son in murder-suicide. Mother had reclaimed custody of older sons after they ran away. Father pleaded guilty to abusing the older boys, but failed to show up for sentencing. CPS, however, refused to remove youngest son. In July 2010, protective mother filed federal suit against child protective services.
Oakland County
Father: JOHN KELLY
Victim(s): unnamed infant (13 weeks)
Date of Death: February 2010
Infant died during unsupervised visitation.
Ottawa County
Father: SALVATOR FLORES
Victim(s): Sandra Flores (10 years)
Date of Death: August 2010
Girl dies after suffering convulsions in the home of her custodial father. Father had history of complaints with CPS, and girl and previously been removed from the home.
St. Clair County
*Father: JOE GALVAN
Victim(s): Prhaze Galvan (3 years)
Date of Death: January 2010
Child died of blunt force trauma in home of custodial father, stepmother. Both face murder charges. In August 2010, convicted of murder and torture, and later sentenced to life in prison. Later ombudsman report refuses to clarify why father with history of domestic violence, child abuse, and criminal behavior had been granted custody, and how he was able to retain it.
Wayne County
*Father: STEVEN NICHOLSON
Victim(s): Ella Grace Stafford (15 months), Jonathan Sanderlin (13 months)
Date of Death: October 2010
Father had full custody of son, “partial” custody of daughter. Both children lived with him. Charged with felony murder in the scalding/drowning deaths of the two children. Appears mother of son lost custody when accused of “kidnapping” for refusing contact/visitation. Father has history of domestic violence, drug/alcohol abuse.
MINNESOTA
Ramsey County
Father: JOHN OLSON
Victim(s): Mikayla Olson
Date of Death: 2004
Father given joint legal custody despite repeated threats to kill daughter, ex-wife. Two years after divorce, dad murdered daughter during “parenting time.”
MISSISSIPPI
Hinds County
Father: ZACCHAEUS BROWN
Victim(s): Jaheem Brown (4 months)
Date of Death: February 2011
Father charged with capital murder. Mother only 15 years of age, parents did not live together. Child fatally injured while at father’s home during weekend visitation. Not clear as to whether visitation voluntary or court-ordered.
MISSOURI
Cass/Jackson Counties
Father: CLINTON GALLAGHER
Victim(s): Alex Gallagher (6 years)
Date of Death: December 2010
Father kills son in murder –suicide after judge ignored mother’s request for order of protection, temporary custody.
Father: MARK GUENTHER
Victim(s): Elizabeth Guenther (18 months)
Date of Death: February 2010
Father to be charged with 2nd-degree murder. Baby suffered fatal skull fracture during father's weekend visitation.
*Father: DAN PORTER
Victim(s): Sam Porter (7 years), Lindsey Porter (8 years)
Date of Death: June 2004
Father murdered children during court-ordered visitation. Had extensive history of domestic violence.
Father: MARINO SALINAS
Victim(s): Avee Hunter (4 months)
Date of Death: April 2010
Father charged with 1st-degree murder. Prosecutors say that father plotted to kill baby to avoid child support.
Greene County
Father: KYLE BAYLOR
Victim(s): Vaniessa Baylor (1 year)
Date of Death: February 2010
Father charged with 2nd-degree murder in daughter's death. Parents had separated, but father had been serving as "caregiver" for past week. Father had been scheduled to start paying child support to mother.
Howell County
Father: UNNAMED DAD
Victim(s): Zeke Breeds (6 years)
Date of Death: September 2010
Boy died of drug overdose while living with custodial dad, step. Both are charged. Mother lives in St. Louis.
St. Louis County
Father: Nathaniel Robinson
Victim(s): Desmon Valenzuela (3 years)
Date of Death: 2007
Father obtained custody 1 month before child's beating death. Convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
MONTANA
Missoula County
Father: ROBERT J. WILKES
Victim(s): Gabriel Wilkes (3 months)
Date of Death: October 2008
In June 2010, custodial father convicted of homicide in death of infant son.
NEBRASKA
Dodge County
Father: LUCAS PETERSON
Victim(s): Trista Peterson (1 year)
Date of Death: January 2007
As of October 2010, the Nebraska Supreme Court has affirmed that this “sole caretaker” father can be charged in child abuse resulting in death, unlawful burial. In April 2007, Peterson had cut a deal with prosecutors and lead authorities to daughter’s grave. In January 2011, father finally pleads guilty to manslaughter. Has never been reported in the media what happened to the girl’s mother.
NEVADA
Clark County
Father: BRANDON TODD ARDUINO
Victim(s): Brandon Christopher Arduino-Boggs (13 years)
Date of Death: September 2009
Son killed in auto homicide case where father DUI. Parents had been in lengthy child custody case.
Father: ALEX KOPYSTENSKI
Victim(s): Giovani Kopystenski (5 years)
Date of Death: July 2009
Custodial father. Autistic son "accidentally" shoots himself in head after finding gun in father's car. In January 2011, father sentenced to 2 – 20 years in prison.
Father: RICHARD MARTINO
Victims(s): Zander Martino (2 years)
Date of Death: July 2007
Father had gained custody just two months before son's beating death.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hillsborough County
Father: MANUEL GEHRING
Victim(s): Sarah Gehring (14 years), Phillip Gehring (11 years),
Date of Death: July 2003
Father with shared custody was still in custody “dispute” with mother. When father was supposed to return the children to their mother, father shot and killed the children and buried their bodies along an interstate in Ohio. Bodies not found till 2005. Father confessed to the murders, and committed suicide in prison.
NEW JERSEY
Essex County
Father: TAMIR LITTLE
Victim(s): Neveah Turner (3 years)
Date of Death: November 2009
Father gained custody in July 2009, and began abusing the child almost immediately. Father arrested, charged with murder in May 2010.
Father: SHAMSIDDEN ABDUR-RAHEEM
Victim(s): Zara Malani-Lin Abdur (3 months)
Date of Death: February 2010
Father had been “feuding” with mother about how often he got to see the baby. While mother was getting a protection order, father abducted baby from babysitting grandmother. Baby was “allegedly” thrown off bridge. In May 2010, baby’s body was found and positively identified.
Passaic County
Father: EDELMIRO GONZALEZ
Victim(s): Adrian Gonzalez (7 years)
Date of Death: November 2009
Father in "bitter custody dispute" with "estranged" wife. 7-year-old son shot to death, 11-year-old son, wife, in critical condition.
NEW MEXICO
Bernalillo County
Father: RICHARD ROBERT SANCHEZ
Victim(s): Richard Jr., Daniel, and Christopher Sanchez
Date of Death: August 2001
Father "went missing" with sons during custodial visit. Bodies recovered, identified in July 2009.
Santa Fe County
*Father: MELVIN MARTINEZ
Victim(s): Derek Martinez (12 years), Devin Martinez (10 years)
Date of Death: June 2010
Father shoots sons to death in murder-suicide during summer visitation. Protective mother’s concerns dismissed by judge.
NEW YORK
Bronx County
Father: ANTHONY MIKELL
Victim(s): Kevin Mikell (2 years)
Date of Death: February 1996
Father granted custody when mother being “probed” for child abuse. Father had previously been arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest. Child beaten to death.
Columbia County
Father: FRANKLIN HANKERSON
Victim(s): Khliff Taylor Hankerson (5 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Son killed in murder-suicide during visitation.
Erie County
Father: JAMES E. KENT
Victim(s); Joshua Kent (3 years)
Date of Death: March 2005
Sole custody father beats son to death.
Genessee County
Father: UNNAMED FATHER
Victim(s); Marcus Peters (6 years)
Date of Death: October 2009
Child dies during weekend visitation with father, but authorities say death not "suspicious."
Kings County
Father: CHRISTOPHER WILLIS
Victim(s): Datwan Murray (2 ½ years)
Date of Death: June 1993
Mother had legal custody, but father had refused to return child after visitation. Father appeared to be a major drug dealer with drug arsenal.
Monroe County
*Father: MARK RESCH
Victim(s): Hunter Resch (7 years)
Date of Death: February 2010
Child shot to death in murder-suicide during court-ordered visitation. Father had history of domestic violence, mother had filed two orders of protection.
Orange County
Father: PATRICK FITZGERALD
Victim(s): Leanne Fitzgerald (wife, 38 years), Ashley Fitzgerald (7 years), Shane Fitzgerald (4 years)
Date of Death: September 1998
Parents had not separated at time of murders. But father had history of domestic violence, and filing for orders of protections, child custody in Orange County Family Court.
*Father: CHRISTOPHER RHODES
Victim(s): Jerica Rhodes (7 years)
Date of Death: January 2005
Sole custody father convicted in daughter's stabbing death. Father had extensive history of domestic violence.
Richmond County
Father: DARRELL TAYLOR
Victim(s): Josiah Taylor (2 years)
Date of Death: November 2010
Boy killed during visitation with father. Babysitting girlfriend, father each blaming the other.
NORTH CAROLINA
Caldwell County
Father: ADAM BAKER
Victim(s): Zahra Baker (10 years)
Date of Death: Fall 2010
Step currently charged in girl’s murder. Custodial father has not been charged, though girl was apparently repeatedly abused in the home. Father relocated from Australia.
Carteret County
Father: MICHAEL LEE WYNE II
Victim(s): unnamed daughter (11 years)
Date of Death: June 2010
Father reports “accidentally” shooting and killing daughter just one day after she arrived for summer visitation from Arkansas.
Dare County
Father: DOUGLAS MONT
Victim(s): Catrina J. Mont (9 years), Daniel Preston Mont (6 years), Theresa Lynn Mont (4 years)
Date of Death: February 1995
Father with visitation abducted children from home in Delaware, then shot them to death in murder-suicide in North Carolina.
Edgecombe County
Father: BRICE MCMILLAN
Victim(s): Tyler Brice (13 years)
Date of Death: June 2008
Custodial father, stepmother convicted of 2nd-degree murder. Boy tied to tree, died of dehydration, heat exhaustion.
OKLAHOMA
Bryan County
Father: WOLF ABEL
Victim(s): Cheyenne Wolf (11 years)
Date of Death: April 2008
Custodial father, stepmother charged in girl's death. As of September 2010, girl’s remains still unclaimed. February 2011: Father found guilty of enabling child abuse, child abuse by neglect, unlawful removal of a body. Has never been reported how or why the father had custody, or what happened to the girl’s mother.
OHIO
Cuyahoga County
Father: ANTHONY JOHNSON
Victim(s) Anthony Johnson Jr.
Date of Death: August 2009
Father accused of beating child to death during visitation.
Franklin/Delaware Counties
Father: DANIEL J. DOBSON
Victim(s): Nicole Dobson (15 years), Sarah Dobson (11 years)
Date of Death: December 2009
Father had physical placement of 15-year-old daughter. "Shared parenting" plan in place with divorced mother. Girls shot to death in murder-suicide.
Hamilton County
*Father: CHRISTOPHER DANGERFIELD
Victim(s): Tyrese Short (3 years)
Date of Death: December 2010
Father charged with aggravated murder. Had been granted custody just 7 months before, though father had a lengthy criminal record including assault of a police officer.
Father: JAMES LYONS
Victim(s): Jaden Jenkins
Date of Death: September 2010
Father given custody after mother checked herself in for mental health treatment. Father charged with capital murder.
Highland County
Father: WESLEY COONROD
Victim(s): Steven Coonrod (3 years), Thomas Coonrod (4 years)
Date of Death: March 2010
Father with “full custody” charged with murder in arson deaths of two sons. News accounts mention history of domestic violence, alcoholism, “suspicious” fires at previous homes. In October 2010, Coonrod convicted on two counts of child endangering; jury deadlocked on murder, arson charges. In February 2011, convicted of two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Stark County
Father: JAMES MAMMONE III
Victim(s): Macy Mammone (5 years), James Mammone (3 years), Margaret Eakin (57 years)
Date of Death: June 2009
Divorced father convicted of stabbing children, beating to death former mother-in-law in January 2010.
OREGON
Clackamas County
Father: DONALD L. COCKRELL
Victim(s): Alexis Pounder (3 years)
Date of Death: January 2010
Father, mother had shared custody. Father, girlfriend charged with beating, starving girl to death. Mother allegedly blocked from seeing child by father.
Lane County
Father: RICHARD RAUCHER
Victim(s): Erin Raucher, Aidan Raucher (no ages given)
Date of Death: September 2010
“Despondent” stay-at-home dad granted “joint custody” in divorce. Kills daughters in murder-suicide, though mother had offered to pay father child support.
Mutnomah County
Father: CHRISTOPHER ROSILLO
Victim(s): Oleander Labier (5 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Custodial father, fiancée charged in girl's death.
PENNSYLVANIA
Dauphin County
*Father: STEPHEN S. DIXON
Victim(s): Jayahn Cox-Phoenix
Date of Death: May 2010
Parents had no formal custody agreement. Father played no role in child’s life until January 2010. Father allowed visitation by mother. In March 2010, father refused to return child or allow maternal contact. Mom’s early May 2010 petition for emergency custody denied by Judge Andrew Dowling despite allegations of child abuse. Custody hearing set for June 2010. Child dies before then of traumatic brain injury. Though death ruled a homicide, no charges filed as of September 2010. Grandmother plans lawsuit against county Children and Youth.
Franklin County
Father: CONWAY WELLER
Victim(s): Leeairra Ann Weller (5 years), Caleigh Ann Weller (8 months)
Date of Death: October 2010
Father with “shared custody” kills two daughters through carbon monoxide poisoning in murder-suicide.
Philadelphia County
*Father: DOMINGO "ANIBAL" FERREIRA
Victim(s) Charlenni Ferreira (10 years)
Date of Death: October 2009
Girl died from abuse in the home of her custodial father, stepmother. Father later (allegedly) committed suicide in jail cell.
Wyoming County
Father: JAMES ALAN AUSTIN
Victim(s): Unidentified infant
Date of Death: 1995
Single father acquired custody through surrogate mother. Pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree murder in baby’s beating death.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Anderson County
Father: JAMES T. DICKERSON
Victim(s): Jeremy Dickerson (7 years)
Date of Death: July 2009
Father with "full custody" charged in son's beating death.
Berkeley County
Father: ROGER “TONY” WILLIAMS
Victim(s): Rodricus Williams (2 years)
Date of Death: June 2010
Father, girlfriend charged with homicide in death of son during summer visitation.
Chester County
Father: UNNAMED FATHER
Victim(s): Xymerra Evans (11 months)
Date of Death: September 2009
Child sexually abused, beaten during visitation with father. Later died at hospital.
Chesterfield County
Father: MITCHELL CHARLES RIVERS
Victim(s): Mitchell Alexander Rivers (3 months)
Date of Death: 2005
Single adoptive dad convicted of homicide, sentenced to life in prison in February 2011.
TENNESSEE
Dyer County
*Father: CHRISTOPHER MILBURN
Victim(s): Stevie Noelle (15 years), foster father Todd Randolph, foster mother Susan Randolph (injured)
Date of Death: August 2009
Daughter disclosed sexual abuse by custodial father. Children’s Services placed her with foster family in the same neighborhood. Father shoots daughter, foster parents in murder-suicide. In August 2010, non-custodial mother files lawsuit against the State of Tennessee.
Fayette County
Father: SEAN LEIFER
Victim(s): Gage Leifer (9 months)
Date of Death: December 2009
In November 2010, father charged with murder. Boy’s death took place during father’s holiday visitation.
Shelby County
Father: CURTIS LEE MORRIS, JR.
Victim(s): Isaiah Snipes (16 months)
Date of Death: November 2009
Father had just obtained custody of son, 3-year-old daughter in September 2009. Father charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Warren County
Father: MITCHELL STONE
Victim(s): Kayndace (3 years), Akeelia (1 year)
Date of Death: May 2009
Custodial father, stepmother charged in deaths of two girls.
TEXAS
Bexar County
Father: DOMINIQUE REED
Victim(s): Zaniyah Reed (2 months)
Date of Death: October 2010
Father accused of killing infant during visitation.
Denton County
Father: DUKE WATROUS
Victim(s): Ashley Watrous (10 years)
Date of Death: December 2009
Custodial father charged in shooting death.
Donley County
*Father: ROBERT MONROE BABCOCK
Victim(s): Chance Mark Jones (4 years)
Date of Death: January 2011
Custodial father charged with capital murder. Boy beaten to death just weeks after father gained custody. Father had previously been uninvolved in child’s life.
Gaines/Yoakum Counties
Father: MARIO ROMERO
Victim(s): Mitchell Romero (3 years), unnamed mother
Date of Death: October- November 2009
Mother reportedly murdered by father during child abduction. Son later killed in car accident.
Guadalupe County
*Father: DAVID BRASSE
Victim(s): Sarah Brasse (8 years)
Date of Death: February 2009
Custodial dad accused of medical neglect in death of daughter. Mother had been trying to regain custody since 2007. September 2010: Father indicted on charges of injury to a child. CPS had previously investigated the case two years before child’s death.
Harris County
Father: ALEX MCGOWEN DUNCAN
Victim(s): Tekerrious “TK” Jackson
Date of Death: July 2010
Father charged with murder in beating death of son during summer visitation.
*Father: MOHAMMAD GOHER
Victim(s): Saeed (12 years), Saedah (14 years), Aisha (7 years)
Date of Death: September 2010
Despite an extensive history of domestic violence, father granted unsupervised visitation. Children shot to death while sleeping. Father charged with capital murder.
Jasper County
Father: LEO DESMOREAUX IV
Victim(s): Triston Dobbins (21 months)
Date of Death: December 2007
Boy died of head injuries while visiting father, stepmother. Father on trial for capital murder in January 2010.
San Jacinto County
*Father: PREDRAG PERISIC
Victim(s): Deyan Perisic (10 years), Danyela Perisic, injured (12 years)
Date of Death: December 2010
Father gained custody in Montreal, Canada in April 2010, and moved the children to Cold Spring, Texas. Mother regained custody in October 2010, and the children “disappeared” shortly thereafter. Father charged with shooting children when police tried to reclaim them.
Potter County
Father: ROBERT NUNEZ
Victim(s): Miguel Angel Nunez (18 moths)
Date of Death: 2004
Father had custody at the time of the baby’s “disappearance.” Mom was scheduled to get custody back due to custodial interference. Body not found until December 2010.
Travis County
Father: LEONARD “IVAN” SOLIZ
Victim(s): Julian Soliz (5 years)
Date of Death: April 2010
Custodial dad claims he was in jail on probation violation when son beaten to death, allegedly by girlfriend.
UTAH
Salt Lake County
*Father: CLINTON HART
Victim(s): Vanessa Medina (4 years)
Date of Death: June 2010
Dad got custody of child as part of “messy” divorce. Took children from Oregon to Utah. One and a half years later, father charged with felony murder. In October 2010, father pleaded not guilty.
VIRGINIA
Chesterfield County
Father: BRANDON L. PARKER
Victim(s): Elijah Parker (2 months)
Date of Death: June 2010
Custodial dad charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Norfolk County
*Father: JOSHUA SAWYER
Victim(s): Carly Sawyer (5 years)
Date of Death: June 2009
Custodial father, stepmother charged with 2nd-degree murder. Mother lost custody during divorce, father denied mother contact. In October 2010, father sentenced to life in prison after conviction.
WEST VIRGINIA
Mercer County
*Father: RONALD HOLCOMB
Victim(s): Brooklyn Holcomb (5 years)
Date of Death: January 2007
Custodial father convicted of 2nd-degree murder in daughter's death. Mother had lost custody the year before after applying for child support.
WASHINGTON
Grays Harbor County
Father: MICHAEL VANDERVEER
Victim(s): Ti-Ryn Emery (4 ½ months)
Date of Death: October 2010
Father arrested in death of infant son. Parents “not together” and baby had been in father’s “care.”
Snohomish County
Father: STEPHEN BYRNE
Victim(s): Haley Byrne (9 years), Kelsey Byrne (11 years)
Date of Death: November 2004
Father who was “fixated” on his custody rights (and essentially had joint custody) kills daughters in murder-suicide. Father had history of domestic violence.
WISCONSIN
Saulk County
*Father: DAVID R. YATES
Victim(s): Savannah Yates, Tyler Yates (3-week-old twins)
Date of Death: April 2008
Father charged with 1st-degree intention homicide. Despite being on probation, father granted weekend visitation. In October 2010, father convicted, sentenced to life in prison.