Notice that abuser dad WILLIAM JOHNSTON had these kids living with HIM; they were not living with the "estranged" mom. Mom was concerned about the kids' welfare (with good reason, as it turns out), so she stopped by Dad's duplex. He then attacked her, and set the home on fire with the kids inside. The kids are now in critical condition.
Suffice it to say that it's very likely that Dad has a history of domestic violence and threats--and that because he was so abusive and dominating, he was successful in securing at least temporary custody of these children. That's because the authorities never challenge these men. Quite the opposite: they cater to them.
So. Did having "possession" of these kids placate Daddy? Not in the slightest. So we need to discredit once and for all the FR myth that daddies are "forced" into killing their families because their so bloody grief-stricken from lack of child custody/visitation. It's all bullsh**. Abusers kill because they can. They can because they have access to their victims. Their motive: Ultimate control and revenge against the mother.
If anything, this case illustrates how much the rights of mothers and protective parents in general have deteriorated over the past 30 years or so. Who determined that Daddy should have "possession"? Was Mom pressured/threatened into letting him have the kids? Or was this court-ordered?
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/30554361/detail.html
2 Children, Dad Still Critical After Duplex Torched
Family Dog Died
Deb Stanley, 7NEWS Producer
POSTED: 4:39 pm MST February 27, 2012
UPDATED: 5:08 pm MST February 27, 2012
NORTHGLENN, Colo. -- The two children rescued from a duplex fire last week in Northglenn were still listed in critical condition on Monday.
A toddler and his 6-year-old sister were rescued by firefighters last Thursday. Police said they believe the children's father, William Johnson, set the fire after attacking his estranged wife and locking her outside the home.
The boy has massive smoke inhalation; his sister has burns over 50 percent of her body, according to the children's grandfather.
Johnson was also rescued from the fire. He, too, is in critical condition, according to Northglenn Police Sgt. Ron Haralson.
The mother of the children issued a statement on Monday thanking the community for their support.
"We want to say 'thank you' to everyone for their prayer and support," said Rosie Johnson. "If people wish to donate, they may go to any 1st Bank branch and donate to the Rosie Johnson Fund or any Wells Fargo branch and donate to the Little Heroes Fund. Thank you again for all the prayers and please continue to do so."
Duplex Fire
Rosie Johnson called Northglenn police about 4:20 a.m. last Thursday, saying her estranged husband had attacked her outside the duplex.
Johnson filed for divorce last month and was not living with him, Johnson's father said.
Johnson went to the duplex because she was concerned about the children's welfare.
She went to the duplex and used a garage-door opener to enter the home. That's when she saw smoke pouring out of the garage and called 911.
Police said the smoke was actually from the car which had been left running in the garage.
As Johnson was on the phone with 911 dispatchers, her estranged husband walked out of the home through the garage and began attacking her, slamming her head into the garage wall, the grandfather said.
William Johnson then rushed back into the home and used furniture to barricade himself inside, police said.
Police responding to the 911 call found the distraught, battered mother outside, telling them she had been assaulted by her estranged husband. Rosie Johnson said her estranged husband was inside the home and possibly trying to kill their children.
A neighbor, Jeanne Sparkman, told 7NEWS Rosie Johnson was holding her hand to a huge bump on her forehead.
"Her face ... her head ... her forehead was like, two times the size of a normal forehead. She had blood running down the side of her face. Her eyes were practically closed. It was awful," said Sparkman.
Officers Tried To Reach Children
When police officers tried to contact William Johnson at the front door, they discovered the duplex was on fire.
Two police officers forced their way past a barricaded front door after seeing a flash-fire inside.
The officers were forced back by heavy smoke. They were treated for smoke inhalation at a hospital and released.
North Metro Fire Rescue firefighters responded and found a large fire on the stairs leading to the second floor.
Firefighters managed to rescue Johnson, the two children and a dog from the second floor. All were unconscious. They said each person was in a separate bedroom when they were rescued.
The dog was taken to the vet, but the pet died.