Notice there is mention of dad's girlfriend, but not the mother. What happened to mom? Did dad JAMES "RICK" DEARMAN have full custody? Joint custody? What? As usual, there is no explanation.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/father-accused-squishing-child-death-pleads-quilty/nrqzz/
Father pleads guilty to killing son by 'squishing'
Published: Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 1:42 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 2:30 p.m.
SARASOTA COUNTY - An Englewood man pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in the death of his 6-year-old son.
During a plea hearing on Thursday, James “Rick” Dearman pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child under the age of 18.
His son Jimmy died Christmas Eve 2015 after authorities say Dearman and his girlfriend, Ashley Cole, sat on him.
That night, Jimmy and his sister were heard making noises in their bedroom, Assistant State Attorney Art Jackman said. They were then told to put their noses against the wall as a form of punishment.
The boy did not, instead watching Cole and Dearman play video games.
After this, Cole brought the boy to the couch where he sat on his side, his face against the rear cushions, Jackman said. Cole sat on his back, and Dearman sat on his shoulder.
“They had previously used this as a form of punishment,” Jackman said. “They called it 'squishing.'”
Despite the boy's protests of needing to use the bathroom and being unable to breathe, the two remained on the boy.
After approximately five minutes, he stopped moving.
After Cole and Dearman left the room to smoke in the garage, they came back about 10 minutes later and called police after finding the boy unresponsive.
At the time, Jimmy weighed about 45 pounds. Dearman weighed about 279 pounds and Cole about 170 pounds.
According to the medical examiner's report, Jimmy's death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation.