No real explanation as to why the biological mother was shut out of her son's life--but abusers are notorious for control freak exclusionary manoevers like this. Of course, the reporter doesn't even investigate. But you have to wonder who gave this volative idiot of a father custody to begin with. CARLOS RICO has been charged with attempted murder in the choking and abandonment of his 4-year-old son along a Texas highway.
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/jul/06/toddler-custody-hearing-today/
Hearing today to decide custody of boy abandoned on I-20
By Jane Pratt Special to the Reporter-News
Abilene Reporter-News
Posted July 6, 2011 at 11:30 p.m.
SWEETWATER —Custody of the 4-year-old boy who police say was abandoned by his father on Interstate 20 near Sweetwater last month is expected to be decided today by a judge in Nolan County.
Marleigh Meisner, spokeswoman with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, said it will be up to the judge who will have custody of the boy, Angel. He is in CPS custody pending the judge's ruling.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the County Court at Law, 100 E. Third St.
The father, Carlos Rico, 22, is charged with attempted capital murder and is in the Nolan County Jail on a $500,000 bond. He was originally charged with child endangerment but the charges were upgraded after Rico allegedly told police he choked his son and left him for dead on the side of the highway. He turned himself in to authorities in Saginaw near Fort Worth.
The boy apparently was alone in the dark for several hours June 28 before he was spotted by a motorist who picked him up and took him to a hospital. Reports have said a doctor removed at least 500 cactus spines from the boy's body.
Reports also indicate that Angel's biological mother has not been a part of his life since his birth and that he has lived with his stepmother most of his life. CPS said it has visited her home in Lubbock and is still investigating the case.