Yet another case where there is a vague, unacknowleged lack of a mother in the picture, but no explanation. Dad DONALD FRANKLIN was from Indiana but visiting friends in Atlanta, Georgia when he apparently got "frustrated" with his 2-year-old daughter's inability to go down for the night. So he "allegedly" bit her and fractured her skull. Notice that it was just "the two of them" that were visiting (e.g. Mom wasn't on that trip). Notice that the child is now in the custody of CPS back in Indiana. Not with Mom. What happened to Mom? Why aren't we told? Is this a custodial dad? If so, who gave him custody and why?
Indiana is especially notorious for its powerful fathers rights lobby, and many abusive fathers here obtain custody easily. Check out the RILEY CHOATE case for starters.
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.
http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-atlanta/prosecutor-father-bites-fractures-skull-of-girl-2-who-would-not-go-to-sleep
Prosecutor: Father bites, fractures skull of girl, 2, who would not go to sleep
June 20, 2011 2:41 pm ET
Kimathi Lewis Atlanta Crime Examiner
A young father told police he bit and beat his 2-year-old daughter, leaving her with a fractured skull, because she wouldn’t go to sleep.
A Fulton County jury found Mr. Donald Franklin, 19, of Indiana, guilty of criminal attempt to commit murder, cruelty to children, aggravated battery and aggravated assault for abusing his 2-year-old daughter, the district attorney’s office said Monday.
Investigators said the two were visiting family in Atlanta when the assault happened.
On Oct. 29, Fulton County police responded to the home on Highgreen Trail where they found Kania Wilford unconscious, District Attorney Paul Howard said.
Emergency workers rushed the child to the hospital where she underwent extensive treatment and surgery, Mr. Howard said.
“The victim’s head was disfigured and required several staples to close it,” Mr. Howard said. “Her body was also covered with bruises and bite marks.”
At first, Mr. Franklin told police that the child fell off of her bike; then later claimed she fell out of the tub after a bath, Mr. Howard said.
“After making several inconsistent statements, he admitted to spanking and biting the child out of frustration because she would not go to sleep,” Mr. Howard said.
Kania, now 3 years old, was in child protective custody in Indiana.
“She still suffers from her injuries, is non-communicative and has trouble walking,” Mr. Howard said.
Mr. Franklin, who was convicted Friday, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 27, prosecutors said.