Killer Dads: Fathers who ended their children's lives in situations involving child custody, visitation, and/or child support
NEBRASKA
Dodge County
Father: LUCAS PETERSON
Victim(s): Trista Peterson (1 year)
Date of Death: January 2007
As of October 2010, the Nebraska Supreme Court has affirmed that this “sole caretaker” father can be charged in child abuse resulting in death, unlawful burial. In April 2007, Peterson had cut a deal with prosecutors and lead authorities to daughter’s grave. In January 2011, father finally pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Has never been reported in the media what happened to the girl’s mother.
Garfield County
Father: CHRISTOPHER MELLING
Victim(s): Aimee (2 years)
Date of Death: January 2014
Custodial father kills daughter in murder-suicide.