I make some attempt to track children that are murdered by their fathers in situations involving custody, visitation, and/or child support--especially when custody/visitation was court-ordered despite the pleas of the protective mother.
This case illustrates how hard it is to do this. I've posted on this case before, but only now do we find out that this toddler's death took place during her dad's visitation time and that the parents did not live together as a family. Also notice that this all took place at Mom's home while Mom worked. It is not explained here whether this was a mutual agreement or court-ordered. We don't even know if Dad had a job. But it sure sounds like one of those cases where a deadbeat dad was enlisted--either by the authorities or by the Mom--to provide childcare when he was obviously incapable of doing so.
Dad is identified as JAMELL JOHNSON.
http://fox2now.com/2012/09/07/memorial-fund-for-daughter-allegedly-murdered-by-father/
Memorial Fund For Daughter Allegedly Killed By Father
Posted on: 3:50 pm, September 7, 2012, by Joe Millitzer, updated on: 08:17pm, September 7, 2012
ARNOLD, MO. (KTVI) – 20-month-old Aliyah Mc Farlane died Monday afternoon at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. She was discovered Sunday badly beaten and lifeless. Her father, Jamell Johnson, 21 father has been charged first degree assault, child abuse and child endangerment.
According to police, Johnson later admitted to shaking the child uncontrollably, along with squeezing her face and spanking her.
The discovery was made Sunday afternoon in an apartment in the 200 block of Crosswinds Drive in Arnold. Johnson is being held in Jefferson County on a $100,000 cash only bond.
Aliyah McFarlane’s mother and family have released this statement and have set up a fund to honor her daughter.
“The day Aliyah was born I knew God had given me a gift. I was blessed to be the mother of such a beautiful girl. Anyone that came in contact with her couldn’t help but to love her, in my eyes she was perfect. My family and I thought we would have her for a lifetime, but sadly she could only be with us for a short 20 months. Aliyah Nicole is truly an angel and she will forever be missed.
Aliyah’s mother was at work and had left Aliyah with her father at her apartment, as she had done before, for his regular visit. He did not live with them, and was not from Arnold. Our family has been through a lot since this happened, and we are devastated by the events that have lead to her passing.”
A donation fund has been set up at US Bank in Fenton.
Baby Aliyah Memorial Fund
US Bank
Fenton Office
700 Gravois Road
Fenton, MO 63026
(636) 343-0448