Dad charged with murdering his "missing" 4-month-old daughter (Michigan)

We've followed this case for over two years. It's interesting that dad SEAN PHILLIPS has finally been charged with murder. 

http://crime.about.com/b/2013/10/07/baby-kates-father-charged-with-murder.htm

Baby Kate's Father Charged With Murder

By Charles Montaldo

A 23-year-old Michigan man has been charged with the death of his infant daughter who has not been seen since June 29, 2011. Sean Phillips has been arraigned on a charge of "open murder" in connection with the disappearance of his then 4-month-old daughter Katherine Phillips, called by authorities, "Baby Kate."

The infant was last seen in a car seat in the back seat of Sean Philips' car.

After a two-year investigation Attorney General Bill Schuette decided to file charges in the missing baby case.

New Evidence Uncovered

"New evidence has been discovered which supports a murder charge in this case," Schuette told reporters, but did not reveal any further details.

"This continuing investigation has included review of biological evidence, site visits, and the enlistment of experts from all over the world who are preeminent in their fields," Spaniola said.

Under Michigan law, a charge of "open murder" is punishable by a sentence up to life in prison. But, the charge leaves open the possibility for a jury or a judge to convict the defendant on first-degree murder charges, or other lesser charges.

Convicted of Unlawful Imprisonment

In Michigan, first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. 

About three hours after Baby Kate's mother, Ariel Courtland, reported her missing, police found Phillips with the baby's car seat and diaper bag in the trunk of his car. He had the child's balled-up, inside-out clothing inside his pocket, according to police reports.

Phillips was convicted of unlawful imprisonment and is serving 10 to 15 years at the Carson City Correctional Facility.

Authorities said that Phillips took Baby Kate because he was afraid that a paternity test would reveal that he was the father.

Dad allowed to have custody despite the fact that mom is "missing"; holds 5-year-old daughter hostage in SWAT situation (Pasco County, Florida)

Abusers aren't necessarily stupid people. They know if they hide the body really, really well, that a lot of DAs will be reluctant to charge them with murder. Seemed to work for dad TIMOTHY ARNOLD.

But in the end, a piece of sh** still stinks. Despite the fact that Florida allowed him to retain custody of their 5-year-old daughter, Daddy couldn't even get through the next month without pulling more Daddy Drama. We gotta do the whole hostage-taking, SWAT team standoff thing! With a poor motherless 5-year-old girl in the middle of it!

If Daddy hadn't offed himself, no doubt the authorities would still be allowing him contact with this child.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_pasco/child-rescued-from-swat-situation-father-dead-endangered-mother-missing

Child rescued from SWAT situation, father dead, endangered mother missing

Posted: 05/07/2012

By: Kristal Roberts

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - Pasco authorities are searching for a missing endangered woman whose 5-year-old daughter was rescued from a SWAT situation Sunday evening.

Authorities found the child’s father dead from a self-inflicted gun wound at the family’s home, located 27154 Ravens Brook Road in Wesley Chapel.

Linda Losacano had been living with her daughter and the child’s father, Timothy Arnold, before she went missing in mid-April.

Deputies went to the Wesley Chapel home to do a follow-up investigation on Losacano, 49, and her daughter, who were reported missing.

When they arrived, no one answered the door and the home was locked. Deputies forced entry into the home at 7:19 p.m. Upon entering, deputies heard gun shots fired.

They saw the 5-year-old girl inside and safety took her out of the home. Deputies called the SWAT team for assistance and re-entered the home at 9:17 p.m.

Authorities found 48-year-old Timothy Arnold’s body with a self-inflicted wound.

The 5-year-old was taken into child protective services.

The girlfriend of the deceased has not been seen from since April 14.

Dad in jail for violating protection order; may be charged in "carjacking" disappearance of 2-year-old daughter (Wayne County, Michigan)

I always thought that dad D'ANDRE LANE's cover story about a carjacking involving his 2-year-old daughter was a rollicking good tale--but total phony baloney. Seems the county prosecutor agrees. And notice that Daddy is now in jail for violating a protection order....

http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/03/with_bianca_jones_still_missin.html

Update: Bianca Jones' father jailed as prosecutor prepares to announce charges
Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 9:05 AM
Updated: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 9:17 AM
By The Associated Press

The Wayne County prosecutor has called a news conference to announce whether she'll file charges in the disappearance of a 2-year-old Detroit girl who has been missing since early December.

The office of Prosecutor Kym Worthy says she plans a Wednesday afternoon news conference.

Detroit police asked for an arrest warrant in mid-December, two weeks after Bianca Jones was reported missing by her father during a carjacking. The car was recovered but not the child.

Police have been skeptical of D'Andre Lane's version of events, but he has denied wrongdoing. Worthy has said her office was giving the case a very thorough look.

At the news conference, Worthy also plans to announce a charging decision in a Sunday shooting that left a 2-year-old boy wounded.

Update: WDIV reports D'Andre Lane is being held in Oakland County Jail on an unrelated personal protection order violation. The television station also reports the Wayne County Prosecutors Office has put a felony hold for homicide on Lane, suggesting he may be charged in Bianca's disappearance.