Killer Dads: Fathers who ended their children's lives in situations involving child custody, visitation, and/or child support
LOUISIANA
Bossier Parish
*Father: WESLEY LOWE
Victim(s): Anna Celeste Lowe (5 years)
Date of Death: January 2011
Father got “temporary custody” after accusing mother of abuse. Though charges were determined to be unfounded, father managed to get 4 district judges to sign off 5 times on extending order. Father had history of domestic violence, drug abuse. CPS allegedly failed to investigate father's home, failed to investigate suspected abuse reported by child's teacher. Daughter had apparently been dead for two hours by the time father, step took her to the hospital. Father charged with negligible homicide, step with 1st-degree murder (later dropped to 2nd-degree murder). Mother filed lawsuit against Louisiana DCF in February 2012. In December 2012, DA abruptly dropped charges against the father. Step pleaded guilty to manslaughter one month before.
Caddo Parish
Father: RODRICUS CRAWFORD
Victim(s): Rodricus Lott (1 year)
Date of Death: February 2012
Father with outstanding drug warrants charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of son, which took place during father's overnight visitation. Convicted of 1st-degree murder in November 2013.
Calcasieu Parish
*Father: WILLIAM STEWARD VINCENT
Victim(s): Savanna Vincent (5 years)
Date of Death: June 2008
In July 2010, custodial father, step finally indicted for 2nd-degree murder. Non-custodial mother filed suit against state in July 2011. Claimed DSS failed to investigate validated child abuse complaints. As of June 2014, "funding debates" were still delaying the trials.
East Baton Rouge Parish
Father: VERNELL DAY
Victim(s): Jay'v'une Bergin (5 years)
Date of Death: August 2014
Custodial dad charged with 1st-degree murder for son's beating death. Boy also showed signs of malnutrition. Media states that father was "primary caretaker" and that mother was currently "not in the picture." No explanation as to how or why father assumed custody.
Father: CEDRIC MATAMOROS SR.
Victim(s): Malaysia Matamoros (2 years)
Date of Death: May 2011
Custodial father charged with 1st-degree murder; allegedly killed child over mother's suit to regain child custody, child support. In January 2013 Father died before trial from natural causes.
Father: CLAYTON LEE MURPHY JR.
Victim(s): Juwan Murphy (8 years), Tayshuan Murphy (2 years)
Date of Death: October 2008
Father stabbed children to death during visitation in order to “get back” at his estranged wife. Had threatened to harm the children before. Convicted of 1st-degree murder in June 2010.
Jefferson Parish
Father: FURNELL DANIEL
Victim(s): Jalen Daniel (14 years)
Date of Death: February 2016
Father, step arrested in beating death of son. Mother mentioned in press accounts, but formal custody arrangement not explained.
Father: MARK TARTO
Victim(s): Matthew Tarto (16 years)
Date of Death: May 2013
Divorced father kills teen son in murder-suicide. Exact custody arrangement unclear. Police discovered bodies after mother phoned in welfare check.
Livingston Parish
Father: EDUARDO KYLE HERODIAS
Victim(s): Kaylene Herodias (4 months), Kayla Herodias (4 months – severely injured)
Date of Death: May 2010
Father in “custody battle” with babies’ mother charged with 1st-degree murder in death of twin daughter. Dad admitted shaking the babies during his visitation time. As of November 2014, no media update to this case has been found.
Orleans Parish
Father: DANNY PLATT
Victim: Ja'Shawn (2 years)
Date of Death: January 2009
Father arrested for murder of son during weekend visitation; alleged that father had been trying to avoid paying back child support. Dad pled guilty to capital murder in May 2013.
Pointe Coupee Parish
Father: AARON BOWMAN
Victim(s): Aaron Bowman, Jr.
Date of Death: November 2009
Father had "temporary" custody of son, 2-year-old daughter when son beaten to death. Father charged with 1st-degree murder. As of November 2014, unable to locate any media update to this case.