Killer Dads: Fathers who ended their children's lives in situations involving child custody, visitation, and/or child support
PENNSYLVANIA
Berks County
Father: EUGENE JIMINEZ
Victim(s): Ayden (4 months)
Date of Death: October 2013
Parents were separated, not clear whether visitation was court-ordered or at mother's discretion. Father convicted of 3rd-degree murder in October 2015.
Cambria County
Father: SHAWN HILL
Victim(s): Brennon (10 months)
Date of Death: Late August/September 2014
Baby died at home of custodial dad and step. Step charged with homicide. Dad not charged though baby was reportedly "seriously underweight" as well as showing brain damage and other signs associated with abusive head trauma/shaken baby syndrome. Mother interviewed by media, but no explanation as to how or why father had custody.
Dauphin County
*Father: STEPHEN S. DIXON
Victim(s): Jayahn Cox-Phoenix (3 years)
Date of Death: May 2010
Parents had no formal custody agreement. Father played no role in child’s life until January 2010. Father allowed visitation by mother. In March 2010, father refused to return child or allow maternal contact. Mom’s early May 2010 petition for emergency custody denied by Judge Andrew Dowling despite allegations of child abuse. Custody hearing set for June 2010. Child dies before then of traumatic brain injury. Though death ruled a homicide, no charges filed as of September 2010. Grandmother plans lawsuit against county Children and Youth. Father’s preliminary hearing held in April 2011. In November 2012, father sentenced to 4-8 years in prison, but could be out on parole in as little as two.
Franklin County
Father: CONWAY WELLER
Victim(s): Leeairra Ann Weller (5 years), Caleigh Ann Weller (8 months)
Date of Death: October 2010
Father with “shared custody” killed two daughters by carbon monoxide poisoning in murder-suicide.
Huntington County
Father: KENNETH AYERS
Victim(s): Michael (2 years)
Date of Death: March 2013
Father shot and killed son in murder-suicide during custody exchange. Also wounded mother. Father awarded visitation rights despite order of protection secured by mother.
Luzerne County
Father: NICK SHULTZ
Victim(s): Camryn Shultz (1 year)
Date of Death: October 2013
Parents had split up less than two weeks before. Daughter shot and killed in murder-suicide, apparently during father's parenting time.
Philadelphia County
*Father: DOMINGO "ANIBAL" FERREIRA
Victim(s) Charlenni Ferreira (10 years)
Date of Death: October 2009
Girl died from abuse in the home of her custodial father, stepmother. Father later (allegedly) committed suicide in jail cell.
Westmoreland County
Father: MATTHEW MILISITS
Victim(s): Sophia Ludwiczak (2 months)
Date of Death: November 2012
Daughter allegedly killed during father's visitation time. As of December 2012, father to stand trial on homicide charges. In September 2014, father pled guilty to 3rd-degree murder charges. In December 2013, father sentenced to 20-40 years in prison.
Wyoming County
Father: JAMES ALAN AUSTIN
Victim(s): Unidentified infant
Date of Death: 1995
Single father acquired custody through surrogate mother. Pleaded guilty to 3rd-degree murder in baby’s beating death.