Notice that you need to read nearly all the way to the end of this article to find out that dad PHILLIP HERNANDEZ was custodial. There is no mention of the murdered boy's mother, what happened to her, or how or why this father got custody.
http://www.kcra.com/news/Update-Dad-killed-9-year-old-son-with-hatchet-police-say/-/11797728/19102826/-/ygr29k/-/index.html
Update: Dad killed 9-year-old son with hatchet, police say
Police: Child was asleep on the couch when attacked
UPDATED 10:21 AM PST Feb 27, 2013
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —The father of a 9-year-old boy is under arrest on suspicion he attacked and killed his own son with a hatchet while the boy slept on a couch, said Sacramento police.
"Just a horrific case," said Matt Young, a Sacramento Police spokesman.
At 11:52 p.m. Tuesday night, Young said police received two emergency calls from a residence on Atrisco Circle, in the north area of Sacramento.
A 9-year boy was found dead inside the home, the victim of "devastating injuries to his head," Young said.
"It's just awful. I can't imagine a father doing that to his own child," said Monica Roberts, a neighbor.
The father was identified as Phillip Hernandez, 36.
Hernandez broke through a sliding glass door before attacking his son, said a news release from police.
"It's a horrific story. Detectives are having a hard time and more importantly, the family is devastated," Young said.
A neighbor told KCRA3 the victim lived with his father, grandmother and an older brother.
"There is still no explanation for Hernandez's actions," read a news release from the Sacramento Police Department.