Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Dad charged in beating death of 3-year-old son (Damascus, Maryland)

Dad is identified as BRIAN O'GALLAGHAN. Why did this dad have "complete care and custody" of this little boy during the time period in which he was beaten to death? Are the parents divorced? No explanation, and no mention of the boy's mother.

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/2014/02/18/father-charged-in-death-of-son/5575091/

Dad charged in beating death of 3-year-old son

Joanie Vasiliadis, WUSA 9:45 a.m. EST February 18, 2014

DAMASCUS, Md. (WUSA9) -- Montgomery County police have charged a father with first degree murder and child abuse for the death of his three-year-old son.

Brian O'Callaghan is being charged for the death of his adopted son Hyunsu O'Callaghan, who died on February 3.

On February 2, Hyunsu was unresponsive at Children's National Medical Center with multiple injuries. Police spoke with medical personnel at the hospital, who said the boy's injuries included trauma to the brain indicating that he was recently beaten.

The victim's father had not provided an explanation of the child's injuries to doctors, according to police.

An autopsy determined that the manner of death was homicide by multiple blunt impact injuries.

During the investigation, detectives interviewed Brian O' Callaghan, who said that he had complete care and custody of Hyunsu from January 31 through February 1.

Police say Brian O'Callaghan had driven Hyunsu to the Shady Grove Adventist Emergency Center at Germantown on February 1. The boy was then transported to the Children's National Medical Center.

O' Callaghan is currently being held without bond and will have a bond review Tuesday.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070.