Dad is identified as TRAVIS LESTER.
http://www.okcfox.com/story/29909657/police-searching-for-missing-and-endangered-2-year-old
Missing 2-year-old found, father in custody
Posted: Aug 28, 2015 2:53 PM EDT
Updated: Aug 28, 2015 5:56 PM EDT
By: Austin Prickett, Sr. Digital Content Manager
The Oklahoma City Police Department says a missing 2-year-old has been found in safe condition.
According to police, a 2-year-old boy was allegedly taken by his father Travis Lester, who does not have parental rights, Thursday at a metro Walmart. An Amber Alert was issued for the missing child at around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Just after 4 p.m. Friday, Lester and the child were found at a Motel 6 in Midwest City. Lester was then taken into custody.
The Oklahoma City Police Department says the child was taken around 4 p.m. Thursday by Lester from the Walmart near I-240 and Sante Fe. Police say Lester was armed with a pistol and made threats to harm the child.
Lester allegedly told the child's mother to withdraw money for him so she could buy him a shotgun. The boy's mother then went to the bathroom and Lester took off with boy. Police were then called to the business.
The victim told police Lester had threatened and abused her in the past. She also told police Lester's parental rights had been terminated and that Lester had been attempting to intimidate her into buying the gun for him.
Police investigating the incident observed bruises on the victim. Lester was convicted of second-degree burglary in 2010. In 2006, he was convicted of domestic assault and battery.
Lester will be booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.
Showing posts with label parental rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parental rights. Show all posts
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Custodial dad charged in death of 10-year-old son had previous record of abusing children (Hennepin County, Minnesota)
CPS just loves abuser daddies. Even though they (somewhat reluctantly) helped his current wife protect her kids, they left his son, the one he had from a previous marriage, in Daddy's care.
Dad is identified as BARWAY COLLINS.
http://www.startribune.com/barway-collins-father-had-been-accused-of-abusing-4-of-his-other-children-records-show/308033971/
Barway Collins' father had been accused of abusing his other children, records show
Records show that he had mistreated children from a previous marriage.
By Karen Zamora Star Tribune June 18, 2015 — 9:22am
Well before 10-year-old Barway Collins was reported missing, then found dead, Hennepin County child protection services had found his father responsible for mistreating four of his other children.
Yet Barway remained in Pierre Collins’ care.
Two years ago, the father of six children had been ordered to stay away from four of them after they claimed he’d touched them in a sexual way and beat them, Hennepin County child protection reports show.
The documents offer little to no information about Barway, who was living with his father during and after the abuse.
Hennepin County now is in the process of terminating Collins’ parental rights to his youngest child, a 1-year-old boy he had with Yamah Collins, his current wife. Barway was living with Pierre, Yamah, the 1-year-old and another child Yamah had before meeting Pierre when he disappeared March 18 after being dropped off after school in front of their Crystal apartment. His body was found April 11 in the Mississippi River. Pierre Collins, 33, has been charged with killing Barway.
Rex Holzemer, assistant Hennepin County administrator of human services, said Wednesday that the county is legally obligated to file a petition to terminate parental rights “in any case where there’s egregious harm.”
“Bottom line is the reason we are filing [the petition] is because ultimately of the alleged murder of Barway,” Holzemer said. “So we got a requirement to go in and file that on the other kids, frankly, regardless of whether there had been abuse or not in the past.”
Collins’ ex-wife, Jennifer Beaver, told the Star Tribune in April that their “wonderful” relationship turned into a messy divorce after Collins physically or sexually abused her and their four children.
Collins had twins with Beaver and adopted her two oldest children. The six had been living together for some time before Barway, then 5, traveled from his native Liberia in 2011 to join his father, who had arrived around 2003.
In early 2013, one of Beaver’s children alleged that Collins had touched and kissed her in a sexual way, and another said Collins had beaten him, Hennepin County records show. A child protection investigation was opened.
Beaver applied for and was granted a restraining order, and Hennepin County found Collins responsible for “maltreatment” of the two children, records show. Beaver also reported the abuse to police. The county attorney’s office investigated, but found insufficient evidence for a criminal charge.
During that time, Beaver said Collins physically abused her and was rough with all the children, most of all with Barway, whom he spanked with a belt, she said. “He would literally whip him. … We fought so much about it. He told me to stay in my place, [that Barway] wasn’t my kid,” she said in April.
In August 2013, Hennepin County also investigated allegations that Collins had sexually abused a third child of Beaver’s, and he was ordered to “remain out of the home,” records show
The judge handling Collins’ case appointed a guardian ad litem charged with representing the best interests of the children, then, citing the guardian’s report, granted Beaver sole legal and physical custody of the four children. Beaver said she inquired about getting custody of Barway, but was told she had no legal rights to the boy, whose birth mother lived in Liberia.
The judge also ordered Collins to complete a “sexual boundaries education program” before seeking supervised parenting time and to pay $650 a month in child support for the four children.
By June 2013, the couple had filed for divorce. In November, the county closed its case with “services in place,” documents show.
“Our staff felt that the kids were safe, and we closed the case because Pierre was out of the picture,” Holzemer said. “Well, he comes back into the picture without us knowing, and that’s what makes it so difficult in these cases.
“If a family member agrees to protect their children and keep a perpetrator out of the picture and they have met their case plans, we close because children at that point seem to be safe. And you bring the perpetrator back in the picture and we don’t find out about it, significantly bad things can happen to kids during that period of time.
“As we all know, that domestic abuse cycle sometimes perpetuates itself, and unfortunately kids sometimes get caught in the middle of that. That’s a significant piece of the story here.”
In June 2014, Beaver returned “the abused children to [Collins] and left the state,” records say. Hennepin County referred the case to Chisago County, where Beaver had been living with the children, according to the case summary. Eventually the children went back to Beaver.
By that time, Collins was living with Yamah, Barway and the two younger children. He asked to modify his child support, and the court agreed to suspend the payments. When the case returned to Hennepin County court — early on the very day Barway went missing — the judge ordered Collins to find a job and to start paying more than $600 a month in child support.
The day Collins was arrested, a finding of maltreatment was made against him regarding his youngest child. Records say Collins “threatened physical and sexual abuse” of the 1-year-old son. The subsequent investigation found that Yamah’s two children, including the 1-year-old, “appeared to be healthy, clean and well-groomed,” and that there were “no safety concerns with the children” remaining with their mother.
In April, Collins declined to participate in an interview with child protection investigators but said, “I had nothing to do with [Barway’s disappearance]. I love my children. I would never hurt my children.”
His next court appearance is set for July 7.
Dad is identified as BARWAY COLLINS.
http://www.startribune.com/barway-collins-father-had-been-accused-of-abusing-4-of-his-other-children-records-show/308033971/
Barway Collins' father had been accused of abusing his other children, records show
Records show that he had mistreated children from a previous marriage.
By Karen Zamora Star Tribune June 18, 2015 — 9:22am
Well before 10-year-old Barway Collins was reported missing, then found dead, Hennepin County child protection services had found his father responsible for mistreating four of his other children.
Yet Barway remained in Pierre Collins’ care.
Two years ago, the father of six children had been ordered to stay away from four of them after they claimed he’d touched them in a sexual way and beat them, Hennepin County child protection reports show.
The documents offer little to no information about Barway, who was living with his father during and after the abuse.
Hennepin County now is in the process of terminating Collins’ parental rights to his youngest child, a 1-year-old boy he had with Yamah Collins, his current wife. Barway was living with Pierre, Yamah, the 1-year-old and another child Yamah had before meeting Pierre when he disappeared March 18 after being dropped off after school in front of their Crystal apartment. His body was found April 11 in the Mississippi River. Pierre Collins, 33, has been charged with killing Barway.
Rex Holzemer, assistant Hennepin County administrator of human services, said Wednesday that the county is legally obligated to file a petition to terminate parental rights “in any case where there’s egregious harm.”
“Bottom line is the reason we are filing [the petition] is because ultimately of the alleged murder of Barway,” Holzemer said. “So we got a requirement to go in and file that on the other kids, frankly, regardless of whether there had been abuse or not in the past.”
Collins’ ex-wife, Jennifer Beaver, told the Star Tribune in April that their “wonderful” relationship turned into a messy divorce after Collins physically or sexually abused her and their four children.
Collins had twins with Beaver and adopted her two oldest children. The six had been living together for some time before Barway, then 5, traveled from his native Liberia in 2011 to join his father, who had arrived around 2003.
In early 2013, one of Beaver’s children alleged that Collins had touched and kissed her in a sexual way, and another said Collins had beaten him, Hennepin County records show. A child protection investigation was opened.
Beaver applied for and was granted a restraining order, and Hennepin County found Collins responsible for “maltreatment” of the two children, records show. Beaver also reported the abuse to police. The county attorney’s office investigated, but found insufficient evidence for a criminal charge.
During that time, Beaver said Collins physically abused her and was rough with all the children, most of all with Barway, whom he spanked with a belt, she said. “He would literally whip him. … We fought so much about it. He told me to stay in my place, [that Barway] wasn’t my kid,” she said in April.
In August 2013, Hennepin County also investigated allegations that Collins had sexually abused a third child of Beaver’s, and he was ordered to “remain out of the home,” records show
The judge handling Collins’ case appointed a guardian ad litem charged with representing the best interests of the children, then, citing the guardian’s report, granted Beaver sole legal and physical custody of the four children. Beaver said she inquired about getting custody of Barway, but was told she had no legal rights to the boy, whose birth mother lived in Liberia.
The judge also ordered Collins to complete a “sexual boundaries education program” before seeking supervised parenting time and to pay $650 a month in child support for the four children.
By June 2013, the couple had filed for divorce. In November, the county closed its case with “services in place,” documents show.
“Our staff felt that the kids were safe, and we closed the case because Pierre was out of the picture,” Holzemer said. “Well, he comes back into the picture without us knowing, and that’s what makes it so difficult in these cases.
“If a family member agrees to protect their children and keep a perpetrator out of the picture and they have met their case plans, we close because children at that point seem to be safe. And you bring the perpetrator back in the picture and we don’t find out about it, significantly bad things can happen to kids during that period of time.
“As we all know, that domestic abuse cycle sometimes perpetuates itself, and unfortunately kids sometimes get caught in the middle of that. That’s a significant piece of the story here.”
In June 2014, Beaver returned “the abused children to [Collins] and left the state,” records say. Hennepin County referred the case to Chisago County, where Beaver had been living with the children, according to the case summary. Eventually the children went back to Beaver.
By that time, Collins was living with Yamah, Barway and the two younger children. He asked to modify his child support, and the court agreed to suspend the payments. When the case returned to Hennepin County court — early on the very day Barway went missing — the judge ordered Collins to find a job and to start paying more than $600 a month in child support.
The day Collins was arrested, a finding of maltreatment was made against him regarding his youngest child. Records say Collins “threatened physical and sexual abuse” of the 1-year-old son. The subsequent investigation found that Yamah’s two children, including the 1-year-old, “appeared to be healthy, clean and well-groomed,” and that there were “no safety concerns with the children” remaining with their mother.
In April, Collins declined to participate in an interview with child protection investigators but said, “I had nothing to do with [Barway’s disappearance]. I love my children. I would never hurt my children.”
His next court appearance is set for July 7.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Former custodial dad, step charged with abuse, torture of 13-year-old son; why does dad still have "shared custody" rights? (Detroit, Michigan)
I have never seen a coherent explanation as to why dad CHARLIE BOTHUELL IV gained custody at all. Mom is obviously a fit parent, since she now has custody again. So who let torture daddy have custody to begin with?
http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detroit/father-stepmother-face-key-hearing-on-torture-abuse-charges-in-charlie-bothuell-case
Father, stepmother face key hearing on torture & abuse charges in Charlie Bothuell case Posted: 9:50 AM, Mar 27, 2015 Updated: 6:21 PM, Mar 27, 2015
DETROIT (AP) - Proceedings have begun to find out if prosecutors have enough evidence to push Charlie Bothuell IV and his wife Monique Dillard-Bothuell to trial on charges of Child Abuse (Second Degree) and Torture.
The two are accused of abusing Mr. Bothuell's now 13-year-old son, also named Charlie. #"He told the medical providers that he was hit with a pipe by his dad," Dr. Dena Nazer of Children's Hospital testified Friday during a preliminary examination for the couple.
The Bothuells reported little Charlie missing last summer, but police found the boy in the couple's basement eleven days later.
Investigators say it appeared the boy had been hidden behind a lot of junk in the basement.
His father, Charlie Bothuell IV, said he was shocked and didn't know the boy's whereabouts.
Bothuell and Monique Dillard-Bothuell are accused of forcing him to stay in the basement, denying him food and demanding that he follow a twice-a-day regimen of 100 push-ups, 200 sit-ups and thousands of revolutions on an elliptical machine.
The hearing to determine whether the case goes to trial will resume on April 14. And, at some point, little Charlie is expected to testify during the preliminary examination.
The couple denies any abuse. Charlie now lives with his biological mother who shared custody with his father.
Mr. Bothuell has been ordered to stay away from his son. He later agreed to terminate his paternal rights.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detroit/father-stepmother-face-key-hearing-on-torture-abuse-charges-in-charlie-bothuell-case
Father, stepmother face key hearing on torture & abuse charges in Charlie Bothuell case Posted: 9:50 AM, Mar 27, 2015 Updated: 6:21 PM, Mar 27, 2015
DETROIT (AP) - Proceedings have begun to find out if prosecutors have enough evidence to push Charlie Bothuell IV and his wife Monique Dillard-Bothuell to trial on charges of Child Abuse (Second Degree) and Torture.
The two are accused of abusing Mr. Bothuell's now 13-year-old son, also named Charlie. #"He told the medical providers that he was hit with a pipe by his dad," Dr. Dena Nazer of Children's Hospital testified Friday during a preliminary examination for the couple.
The Bothuells reported little Charlie missing last summer, but police found the boy in the couple's basement eleven days later.
Investigators say it appeared the boy had been hidden behind a lot of junk in the basement.
His father, Charlie Bothuell IV, said he was shocked and didn't know the boy's whereabouts.
Bothuell and Monique Dillard-Bothuell are accused of forcing him to stay in the basement, denying him food and demanding that he follow a twice-a-day regimen of 100 push-ups, 200 sit-ups and thousands of revolutions on an elliptical machine.
The hearing to determine whether the case goes to trial will resume on April 14. And, at some point, little Charlie is expected to testify during the preliminary examination.
The couple denies any abuse. Charlie now lives with his biological mother who shared custody with his father.
Mr. Bothuell has been ordered to stay away from his son. He later agreed to terminate his paternal rights.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Custodial dad, step charged with torture for abuse, imprisonment of 12-year-old son (Detroit, Michigan)
Custodial dad identified as CHARLES BOTHUELL IV. Back in July, we reported that the non-custodial mom had temporary placement and was trying to get permanent custody back.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2961626/Father-stepmom-charged-case-Detroit-boy-basement.html
Father and stepmom charged with torture and abuse after they 'locked 12-year-old son in basement for 11 days' and claimed he was missing
Charlie Bothuell V, 12, 'vanished' from his dad's Detroit home in June 2014
Father and stepmom reported him missing and he was found by police in the basement of the building the couple was living in 11 days later
Prosecutors say that parents systematically physically abused the child
Police were told by the boy that stepmother Monique Dillard-Bothuell hid him in the basement with no food or water
The Bothuells have each been charged with torture and child abuse
This is the first time Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged torture for a living child
By Kelly Mclaughlin For Dailymail.com and Associated Press
Published: 08:45 EST, 20 February 2015 | Updated: 13:52 EST, 20 February 2015
Prosecutors have brought torture and child abuse charges against the father and stepmother of a 12-year-old Detroit boy who was found in his father's basement last year after an 11-day disappearance.
Charles Bothuell IV, 46, and Monique Dillard-Bothuell, 37, systematically physically abused the child, forced him to live in the basement and didn't allow him to socialize, Wayne County prosecutors said.
The boy, Charlie Bothuell V, was found by police in the basement of his family's condominium on June 25, 2014, - 11 days after he was reported missing by his father and stepmom.
Detroit police arrested the Bothuells this morning, the prosecutor's office said. They have each been charged with one count of torture, punishable by up to life in prison, and second-degree child abuse, which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.
Charlie Bothuell IV and Monique Dillard-Bothuell systematically physically abused the child, forced him to live in the basement and didn't allow him to socialize, Wayne County prosecutors said.
Bothuell, a nurse, had made tearful pleas on TV for his son's return and later said he was ‘shocked’ when the boy was found in the basement.
Charlie was deprived of food and forced to engage in an 'extreme and unreasonable exercise regime,' Prosecutors said in a statement.
He ‘has experienced physical abuse by his father... for the entire two years he has resided in Mr. Bothuell's residence,’ the Department of Human Services said in a court filing.
‘The abuse included being physically disciplined with a PVC pipe on his butt, feet, chest, head, thighs, sides and arms... He was often too sore to sit or walk.’
But Charlie told caseworkers that his stepmother ordered him to the basement on June 14, 2014 because she believed he had not completed one of his twice-a-day workouts.
His workout regime included 100 pushups, 200 situps, 100 jumping jacks, 25 arm curls with a 25-pound weight and thousands of revolutions on an elliptical machine.
Charlie said his stepmom, who has two other children, told him, ‘Shut up, stay quiet and don't say anything no matter what you hear!’
Charlie said Dillard-Bothuell told him at times, ‘I know where the sharp knives are... I can make you disappear.’
Charlie was discovered in the cramped basement behind a makeshift barrier of boxes. Confusingly, FBI agents previously searched the basement, even using specially trained cadaver dogs.
It then emerged there was an underground tunnel easily accessible from the basement, connecting the other condos in the block and leading outside the building.
The tunnel’s outside door is usually locked and only accessible to maintenance men, but crucially, it was left open during the time he was in the resident because residents were getting rid of a build-up of trash in a dumpster left outside.
That means Charlie could have left the property in the day, before returning at night, explaining why FBI agents could not find the boy.
Court documents apparently state that Charlie has claimed he even snuck upstairs for food when the house was empty.
The father and stepmother earlier denied any abuse took place.
The state Department of Human Services has said the father later acknowledged striking his son with a PVC pipe.
They added in a court filing last year that the boy told authorities he was forced to rise before dawn for his intense workouts.
'We are thankful that the victim was found alive,' prosecutor Kym Worthy said. 'This is the first time that the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged torture for a living child. Based upon the allegations, if any case warrants child torture charges, this one certainly does.'
Dillard-Bothuell was charged with an unrelated probation violation shortly after Charlie was found because there was a gun in the home and she had a prior gun conviction in Wayne County, according to MLive.
Officials have temporarily stripped Bothuell and Dillard-Bothuell of their parental rights and taken Charlie's two half-siblings from the couple's home. A final custody decision has not been made by the courts.
Bothuell and Dillard-Bothuell are due in court on Friday afternoon.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2961626/Father-stepmom-charged-case-Detroit-boy-basement.html
Father and stepmom charged with torture and abuse after they 'locked 12-year-old son in basement for 11 days' and claimed he was missing
Charlie Bothuell V, 12, 'vanished' from his dad's Detroit home in June 2014
Father and stepmom reported him missing and he was found by police in the basement of the building the couple was living in 11 days later
Prosecutors say that parents systematically physically abused the child
Police were told by the boy that stepmother Monique Dillard-Bothuell hid him in the basement with no food or water
The Bothuells have each been charged with torture and child abuse
This is the first time Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged torture for a living child
By Kelly Mclaughlin For Dailymail.com and Associated Press
Published: 08:45 EST, 20 February 2015 | Updated: 13:52 EST, 20 February 2015
Prosecutors have brought torture and child abuse charges against the father and stepmother of a 12-year-old Detroit boy who was found in his father's basement last year after an 11-day disappearance.
Charles Bothuell IV, 46, and Monique Dillard-Bothuell, 37, systematically physically abused the child, forced him to live in the basement and didn't allow him to socialize, Wayne County prosecutors said.
The boy, Charlie Bothuell V, was found by police in the basement of his family's condominium on June 25, 2014, - 11 days after he was reported missing by his father and stepmom.
Detroit police arrested the Bothuells this morning, the prosecutor's office said. They have each been charged with one count of torture, punishable by up to life in prison, and second-degree child abuse, which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.
Charlie Bothuell IV and Monique Dillard-Bothuell systematically physically abused the child, forced him to live in the basement and didn't allow him to socialize, Wayne County prosecutors said.
Bothuell, a nurse, had made tearful pleas on TV for his son's return and later said he was ‘shocked’ when the boy was found in the basement.
Charlie was deprived of food and forced to engage in an 'extreme and unreasonable exercise regime,' Prosecutors said in a statement.
He ‘has experienced physical abuse by his father... for the entire two years he has resided in Mr. Bothuell's residence,’ the Department of Human Services said in a court filing.
‘The abuse included being physically disciplined with a PVC pipe on his butt, feet, chest, head, thighs, sides and arms... He was often too sore to sit or walk.’
But Charlie told caseworkers that his stepmother ordered him to the basement on June 14, 2014 because she believed he had not completed one of his twice-a-day workouts.
His workout regime included 100 pushups, 200 situps, 100 jumping jacks, 25 arm curls with a 25-pound weight and thousands of revolutions on an elliptical machine.
Charlie said his stepmom, who has two other children, told him, ‘Shut up, stay quiet and don't say anything no matter what you hear!’
Charlie said Dillard-Bothuell told him at times, ‘I know where the sharp knives are... I can make you disappear.’
Charlie was discovered in the cramped basement behind a makeshift barrier of boxes. Confusingly, FBI agents previously searched the basement, even using specially trained cadaver dogs.
It then emerged there was an underground tunnel easily accessible from the basement, connecting the other condos in the block and leading outside the building.
The tunnel’s outside door is usually locked and only accessible to maintenance men, but crucially, it was left open during the time he was in the resident because residents were getting rid of a build-up of trash in a dumpster left outside.
That means Charlie could have left the property in the day, before returning at night, explaining why FBI agents could not find the boy.
Court documents apparently state that Charlie has claimed he even snuck upstairs for food when the house was empty.
The father and stepmother earlier denied any abuse took place.
The state Department of Human Services has said the father later acknowledged striking his son with a PVC pipe.
They added in a court filing last year that the boy told authorities he was forced to rise before dawn for his intense workouts.
'We are thankful that the victim was found alive,' prosecutor Kym Worthy said. 'This is the first time that the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged torture for a living child. Based upon the allegations, if any case warrants child torture charges, this one certainly does.'
Dillard-Bothuell was charged with an unrelated probation violation shortly after Charlie was found because there was a gun in the home and she had a prior gun conviction in Wayne County, according to MLive.
Officials have temporarily stripped Bothuell and Dillard-Bothuell of their parental rights and taken Charlie's two half-siblings from the couple's home. A final custody decision has not been made by the courts.
Bothuell and Dillard-Bothuell are due in court on Friday afternoon.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Dad arrested for severely abusing 5-month-old son; infant now blind, with permanent brain damage (Mercer County, West Virginia)
A case where Mom had to work and support the family, so she had to rely on the criminal daddy (fresh out of jail) for caretaking. Of course it ended up being a disaster. But the U.S. doesn't provide paid maternity leaves for moms, and certainly no decent affordable infant care. So this is what happens.
Nevertheless, even though Mom was basically guilty of holding a job and having to depend on others for child care help, she has lost custody though she is apparently not charged with anything. Except maybe failing to "supervise" this abusive creep. And how is a woman supposed to "supervise" a violent male? Does the state issue firearms? Typical of the way women are held responsible for men's crimes.
Dad is identified as BILLY WHITE.
http://www.bdtonline.com/news/father-accused-of-severely-injuring-infant-arrested/article_e804cdfe-a1d7-11e4-8918-03e81d921028.html
Father accused of severely injuring infant arrested
Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:42 pm
By SAMANTHA PERRY Bluefield Daily Telegraph
PRINCETON — A Mercer County man accused of shaking his infant son so hard it blinded the baby and caused permanent brain damage was arrested Wednesday evening.
Billy White, 27, who last known address was Princeton, was found hiding in a closet in Lashmeet, said Sgt. M.D. Clemons, with the West Virginia State Police Crimes Against Children Unit.
Clemons, who made the arrest, said White is charged with child neglect resulting in serious injury and child abuse.
The case stems from an incident that occurred on May 30, 2014, when White called Mercer County 911 and stated that his infant son had turned blue and stopped breathing.
The 5-month-old child was transported by the Princeton Rescue Squad to Princeton Community Hospital, where a CT scan discovered a subdural hematoma on his brain, according to Clemons' criminal complaint.
The infant was transferred to Women and Children’s Hospital in Charleston where physicians determined that he had been shaken. As a result of being shaken, he had tears on the inside and outside of his retinas and was unable to see.
It was also determined that the baby had left lateral rib fractures on four ribs, Clemons said. The baby had permanent brain damage as a result of the incident.
Clemons obtained a statement from White and was told that on May 30 he was alone with the infant because his biological mother, Christina Bolin, 21, was working at a local motel. White said he had been living with Bolin and the infant since he was released from jail in April 2014.
White stated that the infant had been sick “for a couple of weeks,” and that approximately a week and a half prior to the infant being hospitalized, he had been tossing the infant up in the air and the infant “hit his soft spot on a board,” Clemons said. White also said that at approximately 5:30 a.m. on May 30, 2014, the infant woke up screaming and had "puked" all over himself.
White told Clemons that the infant "quit breathing, went limp, and his eyes rolled back in his head," according to the criminal complaint.
White advised that he “shook him a little” to try and get the infant breathing again and poured cold water on his back, Clemons said in the criminal complaint.
"His excuse for shaking the baby was that he was trying to revive him," Clemons said Wednesday. However, she noted that medical research has shown that "whoever the baby goes limp with is the one who has shaken the baby. It's an immediate reaction after the shaking."
Clemons said the infant's symptoms, including lethargy, vomiting and seizures, are consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Bolin was arrested last week on a charge of child neglect resulting in serious injury.
Clemons said she was referred to the investigation by a Mercer County Child Protective Service worker. Clemons was advised that Bolin and White had three other children along with the infant, and that their parental rights to these children had been terminated.
Clemons was also informed that Bolin had physical custody of the infant, but the state had legal custody and Bolin was on an improvement period. White was not supposed to be around the infant unsupervised.
Nevertheless, even though Mom was basically guilty of holding a job and having to depend on others for child care help, she has lost custody though she is apparently not charged with anything. Except maybe failing to "supervise" this abusive creep. And how is a woman supposed to "supervise" a violent male? Does the state issue firearms? Typical of the way women are held responsible for men's crimes.
Dad is identified as BILLY WHITE.
http://www.bdtonline.com/news/father-accused-of-severely-injuring-infant-arrested/article_e804cdfe-a1d7-11e4-8918-03e81d921028.html
Father accused of severely injuring infant arrested
Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2015 8:42 pm
By SAMANTHA PERRY Bluefield Daily Telegraph
PRINCETON — A Mercer County man accused of shaking his infant son so hard it blinded the baby and caused permanent brain damage was arrested Wednesday evening.
Billy White, 27, who last known address was Princeton, was found hiding in a closet in Lashmeet, said Sgt. M.D. Clemons, with the West Virginia State Police Crimes Against Children Unit.
Clemons, who made the arrest, said White is charged with child neglect resulting in serious injury and child abuse.
The case stems from an incident that occurred on May 30, 2014, when White called Mercer County 911 and stated that his infant son had turned blue and stopped breathing.
The 5-month-old child was transported by the Princeton Rescue Squad to Princeton Community Hospital, where a CT scan discovered a subdural hematoma on his brain, according to Clemons' criminal complaint.
The infant was transferred to Women and Children’s Hospital in Charleston where physicians determined that he had been shaken. As a result of being shaken, he had tears on the inside and outside of his retinas and was unable to see.
It was also determined that the baby had left lateral rib fractures on four ribs, Clemons said. The baby had permanent brain damage as a result of the incident.
Clemons obtained a statement from White and was told that on May 30 he was alone with the infant because his biological mother, Christina Bolin, 21, was working at a local motel. White said he had been living with Bolin and the infant since he was released from jail in April 2014.
White stated that the infant had been sick “for a couple of weeks,” and that approximately a week and a half prior to the infant being hospitalized, he had been tossing the infant up in the air and the infant “hit his soft spot on a board,” Clemons said. White also said that at approximately 5:30 a.m. on May 30, 2014, the infant woke up screaming and had "puked" all over himself.
White told Clemons that the infant "quit breathing, went limp, and his eyes rolled back in his head," according to the criminal complaint.
White advised that he “shook him a little” to try and get the infant breathing again and poured cold water on his back, Clemons said in the criminal complaint.
"His excuse for shaking the baby was that he was trying to revive him," Clemons said Wednesday. However, she noted that medical research has shown that "whoever the baby goes limp with is the one who has shaken the baby. It's an immediate reaction after the shaking."
Clemons said the infant's symptoms, including lethargy, vomiting and seizures, are consistent with Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Bolin was arrested last week on a charge of child neglect resulting in serious injury.
Clemons said she was referred to the investigation by a Mercer County Child Protective Service worker. Clemons was advised that Bolin and White had three other children along with the infant, and that their parental rights to these children had been terminated.
Clemons was also informed that Bolin had physical custody of the infant, but the state had legal custody and Bolin was on an improvement period. White was not supposed to be around the infant unsupervised.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Custodial dad loses parental rights due to abuse; later arrested for abducting two kids--what happened to Mom? (Ithanca, New York)
The great unanswered question here: how did this abusive father with a history of substance abuse get custody of two young children to begin with? And what happened to the mother of these kids?
Dad is identified as LEONARD L. THORNE.
http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/public-safety/2014/12/24/tompkins-children-abducted-suspect-father/20860645/
Enfield father arraigned on abduction charges
Andrew Casler, 12:09 p.m. EST December 25, 2014
ITHACA – Leonard L. Thorne, 38, of Enfield, was arraigned Wednesday for allegedly abducting his two children after losing parental custody, a Tompkins County Sheriff's Office news release said.
Sheriff's Deputies said Thorne abducted the children, ages 2 and 4, around 4 p.m. Tuesday on Heron Drive. He had recently learned of a court order that removed the kids from his custody, and that he had an arrest warrant for child neglect, a news release said.
The Sheriff's Office issued an AMBER Alert for the children on Wednesday morning, and Thorne was found riding a Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit Bus with the children around 1:15 p.m.
A TCAT bus driver identified Thorne from the AMBER Alert, and the driver held the bus on Cornell University's campus while area police converged on the area, a TCAT news release said.
Cornell University Police took Thorne into custody without incident, and the children were unharmed. Tompkins County Department of Social Services has taken custody of the children. Thorne was arraigned before Tompkins County Court Judge Rowley on Wednesday.
The children had been removed from Thorne's custody due to substance abuse, child abuse and neglect history, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office.
Dad is identified as LEONARD L. THORNE.
http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/public-safety/2014/12/24/tompkins-children-abducted-suspect-father/20860645/
Enfield father arraigned on abduction charges
Andrew Casler, 12:09 p.m. EST December 25, 2014
ITHACA – Leonard L. Thorne, 38, of Enfield, was arraigned Wednesday for allegedly abducting his two children after losing parental custody, a Tompkins County Sheriff's Office news release said.
Sheriff's Deputies said Thorne abducted the children, ages 2 and 4, around 4 p.m. Tuesday on Heron Drive. He had recently learned of a court order that removed the kids from his custody, and that he had an arrest warrant for child neglect, a news release said.
The Sheriff's Office issued an AMBER Alert for the children on Wednesday morning, and Thorne was found riding a Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit Bus with the children around 1:15 p.m.
A TCAT bus driver identified Thorne from the AMBER Alert, and the driver held the bus on Cornell University's campus while area police converged on the area, a TCAT news release said.
Cornell University Police took Thorne into custody without incident, and the children were unharmed. Tompkins County Department of Social Services has taken custody of the children. Thorne was arraigned before Tompkins County Court Judge Rowley on Wednesday.
The children had been removed from Thorne's custody due to substance abuse, child abuse and neglect history, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office.
Monday, July 21, 2014
A question of proof: when alleged rapists sue for parental rights (USA)
http://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21607887-when-alleged-rapists-sue-parental-rights-question-proof
A question of proof When alleged rapists sue for parental rights
Jul 19th 2014 | WASHINGTON, DC
JAIME MELENDEZ was a 20-year-old with a chequered past when he raped H.T., a 14-year-old girl, in Dedham, Massachusetts in 2009. H.T. was often home alone after school; her mother worked at the local hospital and her father was dead. Mr Melendez visited her when she was on her own, coerced her to have sex and then threatened her to stay silent. When H.T. became pregnant her doctor called the police. In 2011 Mr Melendez pleaded guilty to rape of a minor.
The judge sentenced him to 16 years of probation and ordered him to submit to a family court, which in 2012 ordered him to pay child support until the infant reaches adulthood. Before then, Mr Melendez had shown no interest in his daughter, but afterwards he demanded to be allowed to visit her. He said it was his right as a father; adding that he would drop the request if he no longer had to pay child support.
H.T. does not want Mr Melendez anywhere near her or her family. And indeed, he has not visited them. But the courts have not thrown out his lawsuit, which has been grinding along for two years now. H.T.’s lawyer, Wendy Murphy, calls it barbaric. “You would never say to a person who suffered a crime, ‘Sorry, we’re going to let this guy further destroy your life’.”
In Massachusetts no law explicitly restricts the parental rights of men who father a child through rape. So rapists can petition for custody or visiting privileges, and generally make life miserable for survivors. The same is true in 16 other states plus Washington, DC.
It is not clear how common such cases are, since custody battles take place in family courts where records are often sealed. Judges in those courts prefer to keep a father in the picture, but can cut him out if he is abusive or neglectful.
Being convicted of a violent felony can often be grounds for revoking parental rights, especially if the parent in question goes to prison or the crime involved a member of the family. But judges have wide discretion to weigh the circumstances of each family that appears before them. The emphasis is always on the best interests of the child. Massachusetts allows a court to terminate parental rights if “the parent has been convicted of a felony that the court finds is of such a nature that the child will be deprived of a stable home for a period of years.” Common sense suggests that should apply to rape, and most judges are sensible; but not all.
Furthermore, most rapists are never convicted. The crime is hard to prove, since it often comes down to the victim’s word against her attacker’s. Only 12% of rapes result in an arrest, let alone a conviction, estimates the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Paternity, by contrast, is easy to prove, thanks to DNA tests. So there are cases where the court knows a man is the father but does not know he is a rapist.
Some of these men discover they are fathers only when the state targets them for child support, as single mothers must identify them to qualify for government assistance. This prompts some to file a lawsuit of their own. “They just say: ‘If I’m going to pay for it, I’m going to see it’,” says Rebecca Kiessling, a family-law attorney. It can be a way to punish victims, or intimidate survivors into refusing to testify against them. “Like with rape, this is just about power and control,” says Ms Kiessling.
Angela Grogg says that her daughter became pregnant from rape in 2010, when she was 14. The father of Mrs Grogg’s grandson was tried for rape but acquitted in 2012. He maintains his innocence and sued for visitation rights. Mrs Grogg has waged a public battle against him. A Missouri judge finally terminated his parental rights this year, after $60,000 in legal bills. “We’ve got thousands of e-mails from women who are going through [the same thing],” says Mrs Grogg.
An estimated 25,000-32,000 women become pregnant from rape each year. Activists such as the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network want state laws to offer better protection for those who choose to keep and raise their children. Most of all, they want an easier standard of proof. Rather than requiring a criminal conviction, they say it would be more reasonable to let a judge terminate a father’s parental rights on the basis of “clear and convincing evidence” that the child was conceived in rape. This is the same standard family courts use to decide whether a child has been abused or neglected.
Eight states already end parental rights if there is “clear and convincing” evidence that the mother was raped. Two more are about to follow suit, and a federal bill introduced by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida congresswoman, promises federal grants to others that do likewise. That won’t help all victims. But it is a start.
A question of proof When alleged rapists sue for parental rights
Jul 19th 2014 | WASHINGTON, DC
JAIME MELENDEZ was a 20-year-old with a chequered past when he raped H.T., a 14-year-old girl, in Dedham, Massachusetts in 2009. H.T. was often home alone after school; her mother worked at the local hospital and her father was dead. Mr Melendez visited her when she was on her own, coerced her to have sex and then threatened her to stay silent. When H.T. became pregnant her doctor called the police. In 2011 Mr Melendez pleaded guilty to rape of a minor.
The judge sentenced him to 16 years of probation and ordered him to submit to a family court, which in 2012 ordered him to pay child support until the infant reaches adulthood. Before then, Mr Melendez had shown no interest in his daughter, but afterwards he demanded to be allowed to visit her. He said it was his right as a father; adding that he would drop the request if he no longer had to pay child support.
H.T. does not want Mr Melendez anywhere near her or her family. And indeed, he has not visited them. But the courts have not thrown out his lawsuit, which has been grinding along for two years now. H.T.’s lawyer, Wendy Murphy, calls it barbaric. “You would never say to a person who suffered a crime, ‘Sorry, we’re going to let this guy further destroy your life’.”
In Massachusetts no law explicitly restricts the parental rights of men who father a child through rape. So rapists can petition for custody or visiting privileges, and generally make life miserable for survivors. The same is true in 16 other states plus Washington, DC.
It is not clear how common such cases are, since custody battles take place in family courts where records are often sealed. Judges in those courts prefer to keep a father in the picture, but can cut him out if he is abusive or neglectful.
Being convicted of a violent felony can often be grounds for revoking parental rights, especially if the parent in question goes to prison or the crime involved a member of the family. But judges have wide discretion to weigh the circumstances of each family that appears before them. The emphasis is always on the best interests of the child. Massachusetts allows a court to terminate parental rights if “the parent has been convicted of a felony that the court finds is of such a nature that the child will be deprived of a stable home for a period of years.” Common sense suggests that should apply to rape, and most judges are sensible; but not all.
Furthermore, most rapists are never convicted. The crime is hard to prove, since it often comes down to the victim’s word against her attacker’s. Only 12% of rapes result in an arrest, let alone a conviction, estimates the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Paternity, by contrast, is easy to prove, thanks to DNA tests. So there are cases where the court knows a man is the father but does not know he is a rapist.
Some of these men discover they are fathers only when the state targets them for child support, as single mothers must identify them to qualify for government assistance. This prompts some to file a lawsuit of their own. “They just say: ‘If I’m going to pay for it, I’m going to see it’,” says Rebecca Kiessling, a family-law attorney. It can be a way to punish victims, or intimidate survivors into refusing to testify against them. “Like with rape, this is just about power and control,” says Ms Kiessling.
Angela Grogg says that her daughter became pregnant from rape in 2010, when she was 14. The father of Mrs Grogg’s grandson was tried for rape but acquitted in 2012. He maintains his innocence and sued for visitation rights. Mrs Grogg has waged a public battle against him. A Missouri judge finally terminated his parental rights this year, after $60,000 in legal bills. “We’ve got thousands of e-mails from women who are going through [the same thing],” says Mrs Grogg.
An estimated 25,000-32,000 women become pregnant from rape each year. Activists such as the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network want state laws to offer better protection for those who choose to keep and raise their children. Most of all, they want an easier standard of proof. Rather than requiring a criminal conviction, they say it would be more reasonable to let a judge terminate a father’s parental rights on the basis of “clear and convincing evidence” that the child was conceived in rape. This is the same standard family courts use to decide whether a child has been abused or neglected.
Eight states already end parental rights if there is “clear and convincing” evidence that the mother was raped. Two more are about to follow suit, and a federal bill introduced by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida congresswoman, promises federal grants to others that do likewise. That won’t help all victims. But it is a start.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Dad arrested for abusing 1-month-old son (Muncie, Indiana)
Dad is identified as DANIEL STRUNK.
Some mothers are all too trusting. If Daddy has abused children before, he is more than capable of abusing them again.
http://wishtv.com/2014/02/11/police-arrest-man-for-abusing-1-month-old-son/
Police arrest man for abusing 1-month-old son
By Daniel Miller
Updated: Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 9:50 am
Published: Tuesday, February 11, 2014, 6:53 pm
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) – A Delaware County father is in jail facing charges of child abuse.
Muncie police told 24-Hour News 8 that Daniel Strunk lost parental rights to his two older children before and he could lose those rights again.
“He’s one of those that should never be around children,” said Muncie Police Sgt. Linda Cook.
Strunk, 27, admitted to Muncie police he’s getting counseling for anger issues, but what police said he did last Friday night to his 1-month-old son is far from making a change.
“I think he was more concerned about himself than the welfare of this child,” Sgt. Cook said.
Sgt. Cook said Strunk was left to care for his 7-week-old son and a 5-year-old inside this home on West Jackson Street. Police said the children’s mother returned home to find the baby in severe pain.
“She had some concerns because it wasn’t eating, it was vomiting and when it moved its left leg, it cried a lot,” Sgt. Cook said.
Police said it was a day later when the mother took the baby boy to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Doctors performed a CT head scan and skeletal survey and found a fracture to his left tibia. They also discovered the boy had prior injuries to three of his ribs.
“The explanation given by the mother was that she sat on the baby’s leg while it was lying on the couch about a week ago,” said Sgt. Cook.
But police knew that wasn’t the case. They interviewed the boy’s mom first, then his father.
“He kept saying he didn’t know how the leg was broken, but we know that he had some problems with dealing with children and (disciplining) them,” said Sgt. Cook.
Police said the mother wasn’t charged, but she knew her children were put in danger.
“I think she was under the impression that he would never hurt this child, but the things that she told us, I was very concerned what she left him with him,” said Sgt. Cook.
Strunk is facing a charge of battery on a child under 14 and two charges of neglect of a dependent. The children are OK and have been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Some mothers are all too trusting. If Daddy has abused children before, he is more than capable of abusing them again.
http://wishtv.com/2014/02/11/police-arrest-man-for-abusing-1-month-old-son/
Police arrest man for abusing 1-month-old son
By Daniel Miller
Updated: Wednesday, February 12, 2014, 9:50 am
Published: Tuesday, February 11, 2014, 6:53 pm
MUNCIE, Ind. (WISH) – A Delaware County father is in jail facing charges of child abuse.
Muncie police told 24-Hour News 8 that Daniel Strunk lost parental rights to his two older children before and he could lose those rights again.
“He’s one of those that should never be around children,” said Muncie Police Sgt. Linda Cook.
Strunk, 27, admitted to Muncie police he’s getting counseling for anger issues, but what police said he did last Friday night to his 1-month-old son is far from making a change.
“I think he was more concerned about himself than the welfare of this child,” Sgt. Cook said.
Sgt. Cook said Strunk was left to care for his 7-week-old son and a 5-year-old inside this home on West Jackson Street. Police said the children’s mother returned home to find the baby in severe pain.
“She had some concerns because it wasn’t eating, it was vomiting and when it moved its left leg, it cried a lot,” Sgt. Cook said.
Police said it was a day later when the mother took the baby boy to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Doctors performed a CT head scan and skeletal survey and found a fracture to his left tibia. They also discovered the boy had prior injuries to three of his ribs.
“The explanation given by the mother was that she sat on the baby’s leg while it was lying on the couch about a week ago,” said Sgt. Cook.
But police knew that wasn’t the case. They interviewed the boy’s mom first, then his father.
“He kept saying he didn’t know how the leg was broken, but we know that he had some problems with dealing with children and (disciplining) them,” said Sgt. Cook.
Police said the mother wasn’t charged, but she knew her children were put in danger.
“I think she was under the impression that he would never hurt this child, but the things that she told us, I was very concerned what she left him with him,” said Sgt. Cook.
Strunk is facing a charge of battery on a child under 14 and two charges of neglect of a dependent. The children are OK and have been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Dad being investigated for "suspicious death" of 1-year-old daughter during visitation; DHS had investigated him for child abuse before (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
Read this carefully, and you'll see it's the same old story. The mother was forced to share custody/allow visitation with the father--even though the father was under previous suspicion of child abuse, which DHS failed (one again) to follow up on.
As a result, we now have a child that is dead--allegedly from Daddy's "rough housing." Whether Daddy is just clueless or vicious remains to be seen. But it's still the case that the child is dead--apparently from his actions.
But even now, the family court has refused to step it up and terminate Daddy's parental rights. So Daddy will still have access to this mother's surviving child. Sickening.
Dad is identified as JARROD ELLIOTT.
http://wwmt.com/shared/news/features/top-stories/stories/wwmt_investigation-underway-after-suspicious-death-kalamazoo-child-17867.shtml#.UuvqOtco7cw
Investigation underway after suspicious death of Kalamazoo child
Updated: Thursday, January 30 2014, 06:26 PM EST
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - New details tonight about the suspicious death of a one-year-old child in Kalamazoo.
Little Ava Jones was found dead in a mobile home in the Pavilion Estates Park on November 30th.
Thursday in family court new information was revealed about the girl's father Jarrod Elliott, who was watching baby Ava when she died.
According to DHS investigation Jarrod Elliott was watching Jones the night she died.
He told investigators they were rough-housing and "she was hit in the head while being swung around..."
He says he put her in her crib and when he checked back he says he found her, “not breathing, purple in color with blood coming out of her mouth, nose and ears.”
But the child's mother says she doesn’t believe his story.
"I actually saw both of the kids the day before her passing and she was perfectly fine, happy little self, one year old," says Emily Jones.
In court records DHS says last January the child returned from a visit with Elliott with bruises on her face and a foot injury.
Investigators removed evidence from the home in November when the child died and the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office says only there is an open investigation.
"There's so many stories, we don't exactly what happened, there's so many," says Jones.
In family court today Jones was hoping Elliott would lose parental rights to see the two-year-old son the two have together. DHS has recommended Elliott lose those rights but there was no decision today.
As a result, we now have a child that is dead--allegedly from Daddy's "rough housing." Whether Daddy is just clueless or vicious remains to be seen. But it's still the case that the child is dead--apparently from his actions.
But even now, the family court has refused to step it up and terminate Daddy's parental rights. So Daddy will still have access to this mother's surviving child. Sickening.
Dad is identified as JARROD ELLIOTT.
http://wwmt.com/shared/news/features/top-stories/stories/wwmt_investigation-underway-after-suspicious-death-kalamazoo-child-17867.shtml#.UuvqOtco7cw
Investigation underway after suspicious death of Kalamazoo child
Updated: Thursday, January 30 2014, 06:26 PM EST
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - New details tonight about the suspicious death of a one-year-old child in Kalamazoo.
Little Ava Jones was found dead in a mobile home in the Pavilion Estates Park on November 30th.
Thursday in family court new information was revealed about the girl's father Jarrod Elliott, who was watching baby Ava when she died.
According to DHS investigation Jarrod Elliott was watching Jones the night she died.
He told investigators they were rough-housing and "she was hit in the head while being swung around..."
He says he put her in her crib and when he checked back he says he found her, “not breathing, purple in color with blood coming out of her mouth, nose and ears.”
But the child's mother says she doesn’t believe his story.
"I actually saw both of the kids the day before her passing and she was perfectly fine, happy little self, one year old," says Emily Jones.
In court records DHS says last January the child returned from a visit with Elliott with bruises on her face and a foot injury.
Investigators removed evidence from the home in November when the child died and the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office says only there is an open investigation.
"There's so many stories, we don't exactly what happened, there's so many," says Jones.
In family court today Jones was hoping Elliott would lose parental rights to see the two-year-old son the two have together. DHS has recommended Elliott lose those rights but there was no decision today.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Six-week-old infant shaken by dad dies one year later (Monroe, Michigan)
Dad is identified as TYLER STONER.
http://www.monroenews.com/news/2014/jan/22/baby-who-was-shaken-dies-year-later/?top-stories
Baby Who Was Shaken Dies A Year Later .
One year old Trey L. Stoner died Saturday January 18, 2014.
By Ray Kisonas As of Wednesday, January 22, 2014, 04:21 p.m.
A baby who was severely injured after being violently shaken and whose father is in prison for child abuse has died.
Trey Lee Stoner, who was a little more than a year old, died at his foster family home in the Saginaw area, said the child’s attorney Christina D. Hills of Monroe.
The baby had suffered permanent and incapacitating injuries during the assault when he was 6 weeks old.
“He was a sweet little guy,” Ms. Hills said. “He never had a chance.”
The baby’s father, Tyler Stoner of Monroe, is in the St. Louis Correctional Facility in northern Michigan, where he is serving a nine-year sentence after pleading no contest to a charge of first degree child abuse.
Mr. Stoner, 19, was sentenced in October in Monroe County Circuit Court.
According to a plea agreement made with the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, the charges cannot be changed or amended, according to Mr. Stoner’s attorney, Russell A. Smith of Temperance, who called the entire situation sad.
“I don’t believe he’ll be facing additional charges,” Mr. Smith said.
Monroe County Prosecutor William P. Nichols said Monday he is reviewing the case. #Ms. Hills did say that when the agreement was made, there was some optimism about Trey’s future, however, his condition deteriorated.
She said the number of seizures had increased and doctors were trying to manage the pain. The injuries proved to be too severe and left the baby blind, virtually deaf and prone to numerous seizures.
Trey was assaulted Jan. 19, 2013, and he died Saturday, almost a year to the day later. According to court records, the infant suffered a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury and broken bones. He had been kept on a life-support system.
Mr. Stoner was the only person charged in the assault and he voluntarily terminated his parental rights, court records show.
Trey’s mother, who was never accused of harming the infant, voluntarily yet reluctantly terminated her parental rights also.
The baby, who required almost 24-hour care, was being cared for by a family in the Saginaw area who are known to accept children who are disabled or terminally ill.
“They just loved him,” Ms. Hills said. “They did everything they could for him.”
Recently, Trey went into a downward spiral and died at home. Funeral arrangements are pending.
http://www.monroenews.com/news/2014/jan/22/baby-who-was-shaken-dies-year-later/?top-stories
Baby Who Was Shaken Dies A Year Later .
One year old Trey L. Stoner died Saturday January 18, 2014.
By Ray Kisonas As of Wednesday, January 22, 2014, 04:21 p.m.
A baby who was severely injured after being violently shaken and whose father is in prison for child abuse has died.
Trey Lee Stoner, who was a little more than a year old, died at his foster family home in the Saginaw area, said the child’s attorney Christina D. Hills of Monroe.
The baby had suffered permanent and incapacitating injuries during the assault when he was 6 weeks old.
“He was a sweet little guy,” Ms. Hills said. “He never had a chance.”
The baby’s father, Tyler Stoner of Monroe, is in the St. Louis Correctional Facility in northern Michigan, where he is serving a nine-year sentence after pleading no contest to a charge of first degree child abuse.
Mr. Stoner, 19, was sentenced in October in Monroe County Circuit Court.
According to a plea agreement made with the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, the charges cannot be changed or amended, according to Mr. Stoner’s attorney, Russell A. Smith of Temperance, who called the entire situation sad.
“I don’t believe he’ll be facing additional charges,” Mr. Smith said.
Monroe County Prosecutor William P. Nichols said Monday he is reviewing the case. #Ms. Hills did say that when the agreement was made, there was some optimism about Trey’s future, however, his condition deteriorated.
She said the number of seizures had increased and doctors were trying to manage the pain. The injuries proved to be too severe and left the baby blind, virtually deaf and prone to numerous seizures.
Trey was assaulted Jan. 19, 2013, and he died Saturday, almost a year to the day later. According to court records, the infant suffered a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury and broken bones. He had been kept on a life-support system.
Mr. Stoner was the only person charged in the assault and he voluntarily terminated his parental rights, court records show.
Trey’s mother, who was never accused of harming the infant, voluntarily yet reluctantly terminated her parental rights also.
The baby, who required almost 24-hour care, was being cared for by a family in the Saginaw area who are known to accept children who are disabled or terminally ill.
“They just loved him,” Ms. Hills said. “They did everything they could for him.”
Recently, Trey went into a downward spiral and died at home. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Dad arrested for abusing 5-month-old son; baby in critical condition (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Sounds like another scumbag who tried to blame the baby's injuries on a toddler. Nope, just another short-tempered dad.
Dad is identified as RAAD S. AL-MASAUDI.
http://journalstar.com/news/local/911/police-baby-critical-after-dad-hurt-him/article_bc572cb8-97a5-5296-bc75-f174f21a1019.html
Police: Baby's condition critical after dad hurt him
November 21, 2013 11:25 am • By JONATHAN EDWARDS / Lincoln Journal Star
A 5-month-old boy is fighting to live a week and a half after his father allegedly beat him, causing several brain bleeds, Lincoln police said.
Raad S. Al-Masaudi was arrested at his home at 4111 X St. just before noon Wednesday, Lancaster County jail records show.
Prosecutors charged him with felony child abuse Thursday, and Lancaster County Judge Timothy Phillips set his bond at 10 percent of $500,000, meaning he'll have to post $50,000 to get out.
Al-Masaudi, 43, called his wife at about 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 while she was grocery shopping to tell her that her 23-month-old daughter threw a fit and head-butted their baby and knocked him out, Officer Katie Flood said.
He said the baby went limp and stopped breathing, Officer Brytten Sorgenfrei said in an affidavit.
Al-Masaudi said he tried to revive his son by doing CPR, Flood said.
The mother returned to the house, and they took the infant to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, Sorgenfrei said.
Doctors found several brain bleeds and think his injuries don’t jibe with Al-Masaudi’s explanation of what happened, Flood said. They think someone hurt him on purpose.
A rescue crew took the baby to Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, where his condition “significantly declined” and a doctor found he suffered a cerebral injury, subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages, Sorgenfrei said. She, too, said the injuries suggested abuse.
The baby's mother, day care provider and baby sitter told investigators he was fine when they were with him earlier in the day, Sorgenfrei said.
The 23-month-old girl told police Al-Masaudi abuses his 5-year-old daughter and gets mad when his baby son cries, Sorgenfrei said in the affidavit. “The father was the only one caring for the child at the time, and the only one who witnessed any symptoms,” Flood said of the Nov. 12 incident.
A Lancaster County Juvenile Court judge removed the 5-year-old and the 23-month-old from Al-Masaudi’s house Friday, and prosecutors are pushing to terminate his parental rights, court records show.
Al-Masaudi said in a Sept. 12 Facebook post that he had gotten married. A week earlier, he posted photos of the baby and wrote: “Fun playing with my boy today!”
Dad is identified as RAAD S. AL-MASAUDI.
http://journalstar.com/news/local/911/police-baby-critical-after-dad-hurt-him/article_bc572cb8-97a5-5296-bc75-f174f21a1019.html
Police: Baby's condition critical after dad hurt him
November 21, 2013 11:25 am • By JONATHAN EDWARDS / Lincoln Journal Star
A 5-month-old boy is fighting to live a week and a half after his father allegedly beat him, causing several brain bleeds, Lincoln police said.
Raad S. Al-Masaudi was arrested at his home at 4111 X St. just before noon Wednesday, Lancaster County jail records show.
Prosecutors charged him with felony child abuse Thursday, and Lancaster County Judge Timothy Phillips set his bond at 10 percent of $500,000, meaning he'll have to post $50,000 to get out.
Al-Masaudi, 43, called his wife at about 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 while she was grocery shopping to tell her that her 23-month-old daughter threw a fit and head-butted their baby and knocked him out, Officer Katie Flood said.
He said the baby went limp and stopped breathing, Officer Brytten Sorgenfrei said in an affidavit.
Al-Masaudi said he tried to revive his son by doing CPR, Flood said.
The mother returned to the house, and they took the infant to Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, Sorgenfrei said.
Doctors found several brain bleeds and think his injuries don’t jibe with Al-Masaudi’s explanation of what happened, Flood said. They think someone hurt him on purpose.
A rescue crew took the baby to Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, where his condition “significantly declined” and a doctor found he suffered a cerebral injury, subdural hematomas and retinal hemorrhages, Sorgenfrei said. She, too, said the injuries suggested abuse.
The baby's mother, day care provider and baby sitter told investigators he was fine when they were with him earlier in the day, Sorgenfrei said.
The 23-month-old girl told police Al-Masaudi abuses his 5-year-old daughter and gets mad when his baby son cries, Sorgenfrei said in the affidavit. “The father was the only one caring for the child at the time, and the only one who witnessed any symptoms,” Flood said of the Nov. 12 incident.
A Lancaster County Juvenile Court judge removed the 5-year-old and the 23-month-old from Al-Masaudi’s house Friday, and prosecutors are pushing to terminate his parental rights, court records show.
Al-Masaudi said in a Sept. 12 Facebook post that he had gotten married. A week earlier, he posted photos of the baby and wrote: “Fun playing with my boy today!”
Friday, September 27, 2013
Dad gets prison for assaulting 6-week-old son; baby has life-long disabiliies (Monroe County, Michigan)
Dad is identified as TYLER L. STONE. Notice that the mother was asleep when Daddy assaulted the baby, and was never charged with any crime. Nevertheless, she has still lost custody. Mothers are typically held to freakishly high standards, while fathers get excuses.
http://www.monroenews.com/news/2013/sep/27/father-faces-prison-case-involving-baby/
Monroe Father Faces Prison In Case Involving Baby
By Ray Kisonas
As of Friday, September 27, 2013, 09:44 p.m.
A teenaged father accused of shaking his baby so severely that it caused debilitating injuries made a legal agreement that is expected to put him jail for at least nine years.
Tyler L. Stoner, 18, of Frenchtown Township has pleaded no contest to a charge of first-degree child abuse.
In an agreement with the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Stoner is expected to be sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison.
In exchange for the plea the prosecutor’s office agreed to not file any additional criminal charges.
Mr. Stoner, who remains lodged in the county jail, is to be sentenced Oct. 10 by 38th Circuit Court Judge Michael W. LaBeau. His attorney, Russell Smith of Temperance, declined to comment.
The charge stems from a Jan. 19 assault when the child was 6 weeks old. Monroe County sheriff’s deputies reported that Mr. Stoner was caring for the child in the early morning while the baby’s mother slept. The parents, who are not married, took the baby to the hospital when he was unresponsive.
According to court records, the baby suffered life-threatening injuries, including a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, two broken arms and broken toes. The child was kept on a life- support system and eventually was weaned off a ventilator.
The baby’s mother was never accused of assaulting the child, police and court documents showed.
“The grief this girl has gone through was excruciating,” said the mother’s attorney, Cheryl E. Lohmeyer. “It’s heartbreaking.”
The child eventually was released from the hospital and lives with a caregiver approved by the courts.
The baby is now nine months old and requires 24- hour care, suffers from seizures and receives all his nutrition from a feeding tube, according to Monroe County Probate Court records. The effects of the injuries are expected to be life-long and the baby might be permanently blind because of the bleeding behind his eyes.
The father voluntarily terminated his parental rights months ago, court records show. At first the mother tried to retain her rights and care for the child, according to court documents. But Ms. Lohmeyer said her client decided earlier this month voluntarily to terminate her parental rights also.
“That decision was very hard to make,” Ms. Lohmeyer said. “It was the best decision for the child. That was the most loving thing she should do.”
Prior to the decision, many supportive friends and relatives petitioned the court with handwritten letters in hopes to allow the young mother to continue to care for the child. She also kept a written journal about her visits to the hospital.
“I miss him so, so, so much,” she wrote in one entry. “ Today I got to hold ( him). Today was good.”
http://www.monroenews.com/news/2013/sep/27/father-faces-prison-case-involving-baby/
Monroe Father Faces Prison In Case Involving Baby
By Ray Kisonas
As of Friday, September 27, 2013, 09:44 p.m.
A teenaged father accused of shaking his baby so severely that it caused debilitating injuries made a legal agreement that is expected to put him jail for at least nine years.
Tyler L. Stoner, 18, of Frenchtown Township has pleaded no contest to a charge of first-degree child abuse.
In an agreement with the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Stoner is expected to be sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison.
In exchange for the plea the prosecutor’s office agreed to not file any additional criminal charges.
Mr. Stoner, who remains lodged in the county jail, is to be sentenced Oct. 10 by 38th Circuit Court Judge Michael W. LaBeau. His attorney, Russell Smith of Temperance, declined to comment.
The charge stems from a Jan. 19 assault when the child was 6 weeks old. Monroe County sheriff’s deputies reported that Mr. Stoner was caring for the child in the early morning while the baby’s mother slept. The parents, who are not married, took the baby to the hospital when he was unresponsive.
According to court records, the baby suffered life-threatening injuries, including a fractured skull, traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, two broken arms and broken toes. The child was kept on a life- support system and eventually was weaned off a ventilator.
The baby’s mother was never accused of assaulting the child, police and court documents showed.
“The grief this girl has gone through was excruciating,” said the mother’s attorney, Cheryl E. Lohmeyer. “It’s heartbreaking.”
The child eventually was released from the hospital and lives with a caregiver approved by the courts.
The baby is now nine months old and requires 24- hour care, suffers from seizures and receives all his nutrition from a feeding tube, according to Monroe County Probate Court records. The effects of the injuries are expected to be life-long and the baby might be permanently blind because of the bleeding behind his eyes.
The father voluntarily terminated his parental rights months ago, court records show. At first the mother tried to retain her rights and care for the child, according to court documents. But Ms. Lohmeyer said her client decided earlier this month voluntarily to terminate her parental rights also.
“That decision was very hard to make,” Ms. Lohmeyer said. “It was the best decision for the child. That was the most loving thing she should do.”
Prior to the decision, many supportive friends and relatives petitioned the court with handwritten letters in hopes to allow the young mother to continue to care for the child. She also kept a written journal about her visits to the hospital.
“I miss him so, so, so much,” she wrote in one entry. “ Today I got to hold ( him). Today was good.”
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Dad accused of assaulting infant son; baby has life-threatening injuries (Newport, Michigan)
Contrary to fathers rights propaganda, mothers are held to a much higher standard than fathers. Notice that Mom may lose her parental rights, even though DHS doesn't believe she was involved in the assault on this infant. Fathers are very seldom held accountable in those cases where the mother was the sole abuser.
The abuser dad is identified as TYLER LEE STONER.
http://www.monroenews.com/news/2013/jan/29/father-faces-child-abuse-charges/
Father Faces Child Abuse Charges
By Ray Kisonas
Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 01:29 p.m.
A teen-aged father accused of shaking his infant son, causing life-threatening injuries, was arrested at the hospital where the baby reportedly is being treated, authorities said.
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office issued a warrant charging Tyler Lee Stoner, 18, of Frenchtown Villa Mobile Home Park in Newport with first degree child abuse, a felony that has a maximum penalty of life in prison upon conviction.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported that Mr. Stoner was arrested in Ohio at the hospital where his 6-week-old son remains listed in critical condition with severe head injuries.
Mr. Stoner is being held in the Lucas County jail and will be brought here once he legally can be transferred to Michigan.
Sheriff’s detectives reported that on Jan. 19, Mr. Stoner was caring for the child while the baby’s mother slept.
The parents, who are not married, took the infant to Mercy Memorial Hospital when he became unresponsive. He eventually was transferred to a Toledo hospital.
In addition to severe head injuries, the baby suffered broken ribs, authorities reported.
Since the incident, probate court officials ruled that the father was not allowed to have contact with the infant.
The hospital where he was arrested also had banned him from visiting the child.
The Michigan Department of Human Services is seeking to terminate the parental rights of both parents, even though the mother was not believed to be involved with the assault.
She is allowed supervised visits with her son.
The abuser dad is identified as TYLER LEE STONER.
http://www.monroenews.com/news/2013/jan/29/father-faces-child-abuse-charges/
Father Faces Child Abuse Charges
By Ray Kisonas
Tuesday, January 29, 2013, 01:29 p.m.
A teen-aged father accused of shaking his infant son, causing life-threatening injuries, was arrested at the hospital where the baby reportedly is being treated, authorities said.
The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office issued a warrant charging Tyler Lee Stoner, 18, of Frenchtown Villa Mobile Home Park in Newport with first degree child abuse, a felony that has a maximum penalty of life in prison upon conviction.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported that Mr. Stoner was arrested in Ohio at the hospital where his 6-week-old son remains listed in critical condition with severe head injuries.
Mr. Stoner is being held in the Lucas County jail and will be brought here once he legally can be transferred to Michigan.
Sheriff’s detectives reported that on Jan. 19, Mr. Stoner was caring for the child while the baby’s mother slept.
The parents, who are not married, took the infant to Mercy Memorial Hospital when he became unresponsive. He eventually was transferred to a Toledo hospital.
In addition to severe head injuries, the baby suffered broken ribs, authorities reported.
Since the incident, probate court officials ruled that the father was not allowed to have contact with the infant.
The hospital where he was arrested also had banned him from visiting the child.
The Michigan Department of Human Services is seeking to terminate the parental rights of both parents, even though the mother was not believed to be involved with the assault.
She is allowed supervised visits with her son.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Dad sentenced to 8 years in prison for shooting of two kids (Burney, California)
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT. What happened to the mother of these kids? Notice that we have mention of the "girlfriend" and that the kids that were shot are now in foster care.
So was KEVIN ROBERT VENIA a custodial dad? If so, how did he get custody and who gave it to him?
http://www.redding.com/news/2013/jan/23/burney-father-sentenced-to-prison-for-child/
Burney father sentenced to prison for child endangerment
By Jim Schultz
Posted January 23, 2013 at 5:48 p.m.
A Burney man whose two young children were severely hurt Nov. 12 by an accidental shotgun blast at their home was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison after he pleaded no contest to child endangerment-abuse charges.
Kevin Robert Venia, 29, must serve 50 percent of his prison sentence before being eligible for parole.
Venia, who was scheduled to begin standing trial early next month, faced about 10- to- 11 years in prison had he been convicted of the charges against him, a prosecutor said.
Venia, who also pleaded no contest to a felony count of criminal storage of a firearm, was arrested after his then 5-year-old son accidentally shot his 2-year-old brother and 4-year-old sister with a loaded sawed-off shotgun their father had left within easy reach on a living room ottoman.
But Senior Deputy Public Defender Max Ruffcorn Sr., noting his client was charged with child abuse, stressed Venia never struck or hit his children.
"It's more of a criminal negligence case," he said, adding that Venia has taken responsibility for the accident. "He's as mortified as everyone else."
Sheriff's deputies have said Venia's 2-year-old son's leg was nearly severed by the shotgun blast, and his daughter suffered wounds to her hand, arm and thigh.
Ruffcorn said both children are out of the hospital and continuing to recover from their wounds, adding that doctors were able to save the boy's leg.
All three of the children have been placed in foster care, Ruffcorn said, and Venia will be losing his parental rights.
"That's inevitable," he said.
Shasta County sheriff's deputy Jason Thatcher, who testified last year at Venia's preliminary hearing, said the Burney man was standing outside the home when he heard what he thought was a gunshot.
But, Thatcher said, Venia told him he had "no idea" how the children were injured and denied having a shotgun in the house, even though two family members later contradicted that statement.
Venia's half-brother, Ridge Gigax, has told detectives he saw Venia with the shotgun only minutes before he heard the blast, while Venia's girlfriend, Rose Williams, said the couple had argued about having a shotgun in the house only a few days before the shooting.
So was KEVIN ROBERT VENIA a custodial dad? If so, how did he get custody and who gave it to him?
http://www.redding.com/news/2013/jan/23/burney-father-sentenced-to-prison-for-child/
Burney father sentenced to prison for child endangerment
By Jim Schultz
Posted January 23, 2013 at 5:48 p.m.
A Burney man whose two young children were severely hurt Nov. 12 by an accidental shotgun blast at their home was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison after he pleaded no contest to child endangerment-abuse charges.
Kevin Robert Venia, 29, must serve 50 percent of his prison sentence before being eligible for parole.
Venia, who was scheduled to begin standing trial early next month, faced about 10- to- 11 years in prison had he been convicted of the charges against him, a prosecutor said.
Venia, who also pleaded no contest to a felony count of criminal storage of a firearm, was arrested after his then 5-year-old son accidentally shot his 2-year-old brother and 4-year-old sister with a loaded sawed-off shotgun their father had left within easy reach on a living room ottoman.
But Senior Deputy Public Defender Max Ruffcorn Sr., noting his client was charged with child abuse, stressed Venia never struck or hit his children.
"It's more of a criminal negligence case," he said, adding that Venia has taken responsibility for the accident. "He's as mortified as everyone else."
Sheriff's deputies have said Venia's 2-year-old son's leg was nearly severed by the shotgun blast, and his daughter suffered wounds to her hand, arm and thigh.
Ruffcorn said both children are out of the hospital and continuing to recover from their wounds, adding that doctors were able to save the boy's leg.
All three of the children have been placed in foster care, Ruffcorn said, and Venia will be losing his parental rights.
"That's inevitable," he said.
Shasta County sheriff's deputy Jason Thatcher, who testified last year at Venia's preliminary hearing, said the Burney man was standing outside the home when he heard what he thought was a gunshot.
But, Thatcher said, Venia told him he had "no idea" how the children were injured and denied having a shotgun in the house, even though two family members later contradicted that statement.
Venia's half-brother, Ridge Gigax, has told detectives he saw Venia with the shotgun only minutes before he heard the blast, while Venia's girlfriend, Rose Williams, said the couple had argued about having a shotgun in the house only a few days before the shooting.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Dad under indictment for severe abuse of infant son given custody of 3-year-old daughter (Clinton, Tennessee)
In all this verbiage, it is NEVER EXPLAINED what happened to this girl's mother or why the girl was originally put in foster care. All we know is that dad MATTHEW ARMSTRONG and his "former girlfriend" have been indicted for severely abusing the girl's half brother, who was badly burned. AND YET DADDY GOT CUSTODY of this 3-year-old girl anyway. With no CPS investigation of his fitness to assume custody.
Once again, we see that not only are daddies not discriminated against in family court proceedings, they're positively coddled in every way. Now this jackass has a little girl to torture...
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT
Man charged with child abuse given custody of 3-year-old
By Bob Fowler
Posted January 12, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.
CLINTON — A todder who lived in a foster home for three years was given in October to her birth father, who is charged with aggravated child abuse of the girl's half-brother.
Foster mom Susan Hager has for weeks waged a campaign to bring the case to light.
In letters and emails, Hager lambastes the state Department of Children's Services for slack oversight, communication breakdowns and outright errors.
The rebukes come as DCS is under intense scrutiny for numerous deaths last year of children that had been involved with DCS.
DCS officials say the decision to place the young girl with her father was made within the Anderson County court system and that DCS followed proper procedures in foster care and child custody.
A judge in an Anderson County Circuit Court ruling has opined there was no evidence the father abused the boy, upholding a decision reportedly also reached in juvenile court, where rulings are confidential.
Brennan Lenihan, an attorney involved in the case, which has included an extended legal tug-of-war over the girl's custody, says Hager's version of the events "is not remotely close to the full picture."
Hager is declining to speak about the case, saying to do so could jeopardize her future standing as a foster parent.
State Rep. Sherry Jones, D-Nashville, a long-standing DCS critic, contacted the News Sentinel and provided copies of a three-page letter Hager wrote DCS Commissioner Kathryn O'Day, as well as other correspondence.
The letter to O'Day was also copied to numerous officials, from Gov. Bill Haslam to federal and state lawmakers.
State Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, has sent a "letter of inquiry" about the situation to a DCS official.
Jones recently expressed outrage over the Anderson County case.
"We're not supposed to give children back to people who abuse and neglect children," she said. "DCS and the courts should never, never make that sort of placement."
ABUSE CASE
In her letter to O'Day, Hager worries that the 3-year-old girl may be in danger in dad Matthew Armstrong's custody. Armstrong, 28, and his former girlfriend, Melissa Lopez, 35, both of Oak Ridge, are under indictment for aggravated child abuse and neglect of the girl's half-brother.
Both defendants are out on $100,000 bonds. No trial dates have been set.
When he was 11 months old in November 2008, the baby boy reportedly sustained severe burns to much of his body, including injuries that left him blind in his left eye, according to Hager's letter to DCS.
A doctor, Mary Palmer Campbell, testified in court hearings that the boy suffered "one of the worst cases of abuse … that she had seen in her medical career," Hager wrote to O'Day.
"Without compromising confidentiality, I felt the alleged acts of the accused against the unidentified victim were the most severe among the hundreds of cases I investigated as a guardian ad litem," Knoxville attorney Amy Brown said in an emailed statement.
No public Criminal Court records provide details of the alleged abuse or how it occurred.
Susan Hager and her husband Sam were first serving as foster parents for the infant boy before they adopted him in May 2011.
The boy's parents — Lopez and Timothy McKinney — had earlier surrendered their parental rights.
The Hagers became the baby girl's foster parents when she was 16 days old in September 2009.
They then filed an Anderson County Chancery Court petition to adopt her.
That petition was filed the day Armstrong and Lopez were to have a juvenile court hearing on the merits of the case and which party was entitled to custody, said Lenihan, who served as Lopez's court-appointed attorney in the legal battles.
In an appeal of one juvenile court ruling, court records show, Anderson County Chancellor Bill Lantrip in June 2010 ruled in a Circuit Court order there was no evidence that Armstrong abused the boy.
The chancellor also found that Lopez failed to promptly seek medical care for the boy, and sent the case back to juvenile court for more proceedings.
CUSTODY DISPUTE
The Hagers' petition to adopt the girl put a halt to the juvenile court action awarding custody to Armstrong because Chancery Court takes precedence.
The Chancery Court hearing on the Hagers' petition to adopt was scheduled for Oct. 24, but their attorney dismissed the petition late the day before.
With the adoption petition gone, the case went back to juvenile court, where a ruling already had been made that Armstrong should have custody.
Lawyers involved in the matter quickly signed off on an order to that effect, and DCS came to the Hagers' home that afternoon and removed the girl, according to Hager's letter.
Susan Hager in her letter to O'Day criticized the abrupt move: "While we were aware that there was an appeals hearing regarding Matthew Bret Armstrong's right to future custody ... we had no notice that DCS and/or any party to this case was seeking the immediate removal of (the girl) from our home without any notice, transition or preparation …"
DCS agreed to the girl's immediate removal "without any investigation of his home, his means of support, and/or his ability to care for another three-year-old child in his home," according to Hager's letter.
A "slow transition to her father's custody" would have been more appropriate, Hager wrote.
Since the girl was removed from the Hagers' home, Susan Hager told O'Day that Armstrong has refused to allow any contact with her.
"This three-year-old child has now been removed from the only parents and family she has known, and returned to a father that is currently under indictment for the severe child abuse of her half-brother, and prohibited from any contact or visitation with anyone she has ever known in her life," Hager wrote.
Armstrong's attorney, David Vander Sluis, didn't return calls seeking comment.
Once again, we see that not only are daddies not discriminated against in family court proceedings, they're positively coddled in every way. Now this jackass has a little girl to torture...
INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT
Man charged with child abuse given custody of 3-year-old
By Bob Fowler
Posted January 12, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.
CLINTON — A todder who lived in a foster home for three years was given in October to her birth father, who is charged with aggravated child abuse of the girl's half-brother.
Foster mom Susan Hager has for weeks waged a campaign to bring the case to light.
In letters and emails, Hager lambastes the state Department of Children's Services for slack oversight, communication breakdowns and outright errors.
The rebukes come as DCS is under intense scrutiny for numerous deaths last year of children that had been involved with DCS.
DCS officials say the decision to place the young girl with her father was made within the Anderson County court system and that DCS followed proper procedures in foster care and child custody.
A judge in an Anderson County Circuit Court ruling has opined there was no evidence the father abused the boy, upholding a decision reportedly also reached in juvenile court, where rulings are confidential.
Brennan Lenihan, an attorney involved in the case, which has included an extended legal tug-of-war over the girl's custody, says Hager's version of the events "is not remotely close to the full picture."
Hager is declining to speak about the case, saying to do so could jeopardize her future standing as a foster parent.
State Rep. Sherry Jones, D-Nashville, a long-standing DCS critic, contacted the News Sentinel and provided copies of a three-page letter Hager wrote DCS Commissioner Kathryn O'Day, as well as other correspondence.
The letter to O'Day was also copied to numerous officials, from Gov. Bill Haslam to federal and state lawmakers.
State Rep. John Ragan, R-Oak Ridge, has sent a "letter of inquiry" about the situation to a DCS official.
Jones recently expressed outrage over the Anderson County case.
"We're not supposed to give children back to people who abuse and neglect children," she said. "DCS and the courts should never, never make that sort of placement."
ABUSE CASE
In her letter to O'Day, Hager worries that the 3-year-old girl may be in danger in dad Matthew Armstrong's custody. Armstrong, 28, and his former girlfriend, Melissa Lopez, 35, both of Oak Ridge, are under indictment for aggravated child abuse and neglect of the girl's half-brother.
Both defendants are out on $100,000 bonds. No trial dates have been set.
When he was 11 months old in November 2008, the baby boy reportedly sustained severe burns to much of his body, including injuries that left him blind in his left eye, according to Hager's letter to DCS.
A doctor, Mary Palmer Campbell, testified in court hearings that the boy suffered "one of the worst cases of abuse … that she had seen in her medical career," Hager wrote to O'Day.
"Without compromising confidentiality, I felt the alleged acts of the accused against the unidentified victim were the most severe among the hundreds of cases I investigated as a guardian ad litem," Knoxville attorney Amy Brown said in an emailed statement.
No public Criminal Court records provide details of the alleged abuse or how it occurred.
Susan Hager and her husband Sam were first serving as foster parents for the infant boy before they adopted him in May 2011.
The boy's parents — Lopez and Timothy McKinney — had earlier surrendered their parental rights.
The Hagers became the baby girl's foster parents when she was 16 days old in September 2009.
They then filed an Anderson County Chancery Court petition to adopt her.
That petition was filed the day Armstrong and Lopez were to have a juvenile court hearing on the merits of the case and which party was entitled to custody, said Lenihan, who served as Lopez's court-appointed attorney in the legal battles.
In an appeal of one juvenile court ruling, court records show, Anderson County Chancellor Bill Lantrip in June 2010 ruled in a Circuit Court order there was no evidence that Armstrong abused the boy.
The chancellor also found that Lopez failed to promptly seek medical care for the boy, and sent the case back to juvenile court for more proceedings.
CUSTODY DISPUTE
The Hagers' petition to adopt the girl put a halt to the juvenile court action awarding custody to Armstrong because Chancery Court takes precedence.
The Chancery Court hearing on the Hagers' petition to adopt was scheduled for Oct. 24, but their attorney dismissed the petition late the day before.
With the adoption petition gone, the case went back to juvenile court, where a ruling already had been made that Armstrong should have custody.
Lawyers involved in the matter quickly signed off on an order to that effect, and DCS came to the Hagers' home that afternoon and removed the girl, according to Hager's letter.
Susan Hager in her letter to O'Day criticized the abrupt move: "While we were aware that there was an appeals hearing regarding Matthew Bret Armstrong's right to future custody ... we had no notice that DCS and/or any party to this case was seeking the immediate removal of (the girl) from our home without any notice, transition or preparation …"
DCS agreed to the girl's immediate removal "without any investigation of his home, his means of support, and/or his ability to care for another three-year-old child in his home," according to Hager's letter.
A "slow transition to her father's custody" would have been more appropriate, Hager wrote.
Since the girl was removed from the Hagers' home, Susan Hager told O'Day that Armstrong has refused to allow any contact with her.
"This three-year-old child has now been removed from the only parents and family she has known, and returned to a father that is currently under indictment for the severe child abuse of her half-brother, and prohibited from any contact or visitation with anyone she has ever known in her life," Hager wrote.
Armstrong's attorney, David Vander Sluis, didn't return calls seeking comment.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Dad gets probation for beating up 4-month-old daughter (Waterloo, Iowa)
Dad is identified as BRANDON MCCOWEN. He was home alone with the baby at the time of the assault. No mention of a mother.
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130108/NEWS/130109604/1016
Published Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 3:20 am / Updated at 3:22 am
Father, 24, gets probation for injuries to baby
Omaha World-Herald
WATERLOO, Iowa — A 24-year-old Iowa man has been given two to five years of probation and a suspended prison term for injuring his 4-month-old daughter.
Brandon McCowen had pleaded guilty after prosecutors lowered the charge to child endangerment causing bodily injury.
The girl was hospitalized on June 6, 2010, after she had trouble breathing. She was flown to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, where doctors concluded that she had head and eye injuries too numerous to count.
McCowen told authorities that he was home alone with his daughter when she fell out of his arms and onto a bed. Court records say doctors told investigators the injuries appeared to have resulted from “nonaccidental trauma.”
McCowen’s parental rights have been terminated.
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130108/NEWS/130109604/1016
Published Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 3:20 am / Updated at 3:22 am
Father, 24, gets probation for injuries to baby
Omaha World-Herald
WATERLOO, Iowa — A 24-year-old Iowa man has been given two to five years of probation and a suspended prison term for injuring his 4-month-old daughter.
Brandon McCowen had pleaded guilty after prosecutors lowered the charge to child endangerment causing bodily injury.
The girl was hospitalized on June 6, 2010, after she had trouble breathing. She was flown to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, where doctors concluded that she had head and eye injuries too numerous to count.
McCowen told authorities that he was home alone with his daughter when she fell out of his arms and onto a bed. Court records say doctors told investigators the injuries appeared to have resulted from “nonaccidental trauma.”
McCowen’s parental rights have been terminated.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Dad to stand trial for abusing 5-month-old daughter; previously convicted of abusing another child in 2008 (Hudsonville, Michigan)
Notice that this isn't the first time dad RYAN KUPRES has abused a baby. Wonder if Mom even knew about that earlier felony conviction. Also notice that although Mom is not charged with a crime, she has still lost custody to foster care.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/12/father_to_stand_trial_in_secon.html
Father to stand trial in second child abuse case since 2008
By Kyle Moroney on December 19, 2012 at 6:30 AM, updated December 19, 2012 at 6:31 AM
HUDSONVILLE, MI -- A father charged with first-degree child abuse for the second time has been ordered to stand trial in Ottawa County Circuit Court.
Several witnesses testified during Ryan Kupres’ preliminary hearing in Ottawa County District Court in Hudsvonville on Tuesday, Dec. 18. A judge determined there was enough evidence in the case to send it to Circuit Court on Jan. 14.
Kupres was arrested in late November on allegations that he hurt his then 5-month-old daughter, Layla, last March.
He faces the same felony charge that he was convicted of in 2008 in relation to another child, and for which he was sentenced to one year in jail. That victim, also his child, has since recovered.
In the current case, police allege Layla suffered injuries in late March while she was at her Zeeland home with her parents, Kupres and Jessica Jones.
Suspicions arose after doctors at Zeeland Community Hospital and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital examined Layla after she was brought in by her parents with flu-like symptoms in late March.
Dr. Sarah Brown, of the Center for Child Protection at the children’s hospital, detailed her examinations of Layla and the baby’s medical history.
Brown noted that through a CT scan, doctors discovered Layla had a subdural hemorrhage -- bleeding in the layers between her brain and dura – on the left side of her brain.
The doctor also testified on Tuesday that the infant had several bruises on her head and jawline – something that her parents had reportedly said was likely caused by her “pinching” her cheeks.
“I do not believe a 5-month-old could pinch herself to cause that injury,” Brown said on the stand.
Ottawa County Assistant Prosecutor JoEllen Haas and Kupres’ attorney, Philip Sielski, questioned Brown, Jones and Kupres’ mother, Vicki Hedgecock, during Tuesday’s preliminary hearing. The hearing detailed the events, as well as Layla’s symptoms prior to and following Layla’s March 31 visit to the Zeeland hospital.
On March 25, Kupres had said Layla was vomiting while in the bathtub and that when he got in the tub to pick her up, Layla was “flailing” and her head hit his leg. She also had a bruise on her right leg that, in Brown’s opinion, was not consistent with Kupres’ report that it hit against the side of the tub, she said.
Brown testified the blood covering Layla’s brain was less than a week old from when the infant had her first scan on March 31. There was separate bleeding in the back of Layla’s head and around the front and back of her spinal cord, with bruising on the back, which Brown also believes occurred about seven days prior to the March 31 scan.
Brown considered Layla’s head injuries “severe,” and could cause headaches and severe vomiting.
“The only reason (for that bleeding) is significant trauma caused that injury,” Brown said.
In addition to the head and spinal bleeding, Brown detailed Layla’s X-rays, which also showed fractures in her shoulders and legs.
Layla’s injuries were “clearly life threatening,” the doctor testified.
When Layla’s mom, Jessica Jones, took the stand, she went through the details of the days leading up to the March 31 hospital visit – however, said she couldn’t remember certain events.
“A lot has happened in my life the last several months,” she said.
She recalled a day when Layla was with Kupres and his mother at her house where Layla had been vomiting and then went “limp.” Jones also discovered a bruise on the back of Layla’s head.
“In my mind, there is nothing that could explain an injury like that,” Jones said.
Layla is currently in foster care, but is in Jones’ care a “majority of the time,” she said in court.
Kupres relinquished his parental rights to Layla in August.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/12/father_to_stand_trial_in_secon.html
Father to stand trial in second child abuse case since 2008
By Kyle Moroney on December 19, 2012 at 6:30 AM, updated December 19, 2012 at 6:31 AM
HUDSONVILLE, MI -- A father charged with first-degree child abuse for the second time has been ordered to stand trial in Ottawa County Circuit Court.
Several witnesses testified during Ryan Kupres’ preliminary hearing in Ottawa County District Court in Hudsvonville on Tuesday, Dec. 18. A judge determined there was enough evidence in the case to send it to Circuit Court on Jan. 14.
Kupres was arrested in late November on allegations that he hurt his then 5-month-old daughter, Layla, last March.
He faces the same felony charge that he was convicted of in 2008 in relation to another child, and for which he was sentenced to one year in jail. That victim, also his child, has since recovered.
In the current case, police allege Layla suffered injuries in late March while she was at her Zeeland home with her parents, Kupres and Jessica Jones.
Suspicions arose after doctors at Zeeland Community Hospital and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital examined Layla after she was brought in by her parents with flu-like symptoms in late March.
Dr. Sarah Brown, of the Center for Child Protection at the children’s hospital, detailed her examinations of Layla and the baby’s medical history.
Brown noted that through a CT scan, doctors discovered Layla had a subdural hemorrhage -- bleeding in the layers between her brain and dura – on the left side of her brain.
The doctor also testified on Tuesday that the infant had several bruises on her head and jawline – something that her parents had reportedly said was likely caused by her “pinching” her cheeks.
“I do not believe a 5-month-old could pinch herself to cause that injury,” Brown said on the stand.
Ottawa County Assistant Prosecutor JoEllen Haas and Kupres’ attorney, Philip Sielski, questioned Brown, Jones and Kupres’ mother, Vicki Hedgecock, during Tuesday’s preliminary hearing. The hearing detailed the events, as well as Layla’s symptoms prior to and following Layla’s March 31 visit to the Zeeland hospital.
On March 25, Kupres had said Layla was vomiting while in the bathtub and that when he got in the tub to pick her up, Layla was “flailing” and her head hit his leg. She also had a bruise on her right leg that, in Brown’s opinion, was not consistent with Kupres’ report that it hit against the side of the tub, she said.
Brown testified the blood covering Layla’s brain was less than a week old from when the infant had her first scan on March 31. There was separate bleeding in the back of Layla’s head and around the front and back of her spinal cord, with bruising on the back, which Brown also believes occurred about seven days prior to the March 31 scan.
Brown considered Layla’s head injuries “severe,” and could cause headaches and severe vomiting.
“The only reason (for that bleeding) is significant trauma caused that injury,” Brown said.
In addition to the head and spinal bleeding, Brown detailed Layla’s X-rays, which also showed fractures in her shoulders and legs.
Layla’s injuries were “clearly life threatening,” the doctor testified.
When Layla’s mom, Jessica Jones, took the stand, she went through the details of the days leading up to the March 31 hospital visit – however, said she couldn’t remember certain events.
“A lot has happened in my life the last several months,” she said.
She recalled a day when Layla was with Kupres and his mother at her house where Layla had been vomiting and then went “limp.” Jones also discovered a bruise on the back of Layla’s head.
“In my mind, there is nothing that could explain an injury like that,” Jones said.
Layla is currently in foster care, but is in Jones’ care a “majority of the time,” she said in court.
Kupres relinquished his parental rights to Layla in August.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Judge criticizes DHS in child custody case involving sex offender father (Jackson, Mississippi)
So we have a registered sex offender UNNAMED DAD who sexually abused/raped the underaged mother, who "allegedly" had (unspecified) "mental problems." And yet DHS (CPS) refused to find him unfit as a father. What else do you need to know about DHS has been taken over by the fathers rights mentality....
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a1ce159942d0408f99f659c0b99e8e5f/MS--DHS-Custody-Case
Judge criticizes DHS in child custody case involving child whose father is sex offender
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 12, 2012 - 10:33 am EST
JACKSON, Mississippi — A Lamar County judge has criticized the Department of Human Services related to the custody of a 3-year-old child whose biological father is a registered sex offender.
The Clarion-Ledger says (http://on.thec-l.com/T8juOU ) the biological father is 24 years older than the child's mother. He was convicted for having sex with the mother when she was a minor and pleaded guilty to fondling her daughter from a previous relationship.
The woman allegedly has mental problems.
Despite that, Chancery Judge Ronald Doleac said some DHS workers didn't view the biological parents as unfit.
The judge says DHS ignored or failed to investigate reports of abuse and neglect.
Doleac terminated parental rights last month and gave permanent custody to a couple who has cared for the girl since she was 18 months old.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/a1ce159942d0408f99f659c0b99e8e5f/MS--DHS-Custody-Case
Judge criticizes DHS in child custody case involving child whose father is sex offender
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 12, 2012 - 10:33 am EST
JACKSON, Mississippi — A Lamar County judge has criticized the Department of Human Services related to the custody of a 3-year-old child whose biological father is a registered sex offender.
The Clarion-Ledger says (http://on.thec-l.com/T8juOU ) the biological father is 24 years older than the child's mother. He was convicted for having sex with the mother when she was a minor and pleaded guilty to fondling her daughter from a previous relationship.
The woman allegedly has mental problems.
Despite that, Chancery Judge Ronald Doleac said some DHS workers didn't view the biological parents as unfit.
The judge says DHS ignored or failed to investigate reports of abuse and neglect.
Doleac terminated parental rights last month and gave permanent custody to a couple who has cared for the girl since she was 18 months old.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Custodial dad kills 2-year-old daughter; judge investigated (Novosibirsk, Russia)
This is almost never seen. The times I have seen a judge held to even a minimal level of responsibility for decisions that result in dead children could be counted on one hand--with fingers to spare. Why was a drug-addicted (and convicted criminal!) father like VLADIMIR GLOTOV ever granted custody of a toddler? Only because our expectations when it comes to fathers are so low. Virtually any dad with a pulse is considered "good enough" these days.
Only TWO WEEKS AFTER gaining custody, Daddy beat this girl to death. Disgusting. But utterly predictable, given Daddy's track record. Cases like this happen all over the world, unfortunately.
http://rt.com/news/judge-face-consequences-ruling/
Addict dad kills 2yo girl – custody judge investigated
Published: 15 August, 2011, 18:34
A criminal case could be brought against Novosibirsk Judge Irina Glebova, who restored the parental rights of a drug addict, a move which resulted in the death of the man’s two-year-old daughter.
Eva Glotova resided in a foster home after her drug-addicted mother passed away last year. Her father, a long-time drug user and convict, was deprived of his parental rights. However, in March this year he decided he wanted his daughter returned home and Judge Irina Glebova for some reason ruled in his favor.
Vladimir Markin, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, says that an inspection established that on February 18th and March 5th, 2011, the judge presided over two court sessions that violated court procedures.
“Following these sessions, the judge, Irina Glebova, on March 5th ruled to have the parenting rights of Vladimir Glotov restored. These rulings were unlawful by definition. Glotov’s daughter Eva, the subject of his parenting rights, had not even turned three at that time. On March 16th, 2011, a foster home was forced to turn Eva over to her drug addict father. Only two weeks later, Eva was brutally beaten by her father. Her death was caused by a stomach wound inflicted with a blunt object,” he said.
Initially, Glotov claimed his daughter had choked to death, but examination proved that the girl died from injuries, reports Vesti FM.
According to the Investigative Committee, Glotov acknowledged his guilt and explained that when Eva had refused to eat, he punched her stomach and then kicked her in the head.
Judge Glebova was forced to return her judicial robes after she was dismissed in May from the Novosibirsk Kirov District Court over her decision to restore the parental rights in the Glotov case.
However, disciplinary proceedings against this judge had been brought long before the death of Eva Glotova. Numerous complaints have previously been filed against Glebova.
Back in March the Qualifying Board of Judges ruled on disciplinary actions against Glebova – if the slightest infringement was to be found in her work, she would lose her job. Unfortunately, that did not happen soon enough. Only on May 13 did the board make a decision to terminate her powers.
If the Novosibirsk Region’s Collegiate of Judges satisfies the request of the Investigative Committee’s chairman, a criminal case will be opened against the judge.
Only TWO WEEKS AFTER gaining custody, Daddy beat this girl to death. Disgusting. But utterly predictable, given Daddy's track record. Cases like this happen all over the world, unfortunately.
http://rt.com/news/judge-face-consequences-ruling/
Addict dad kills 2yo girl – custody judge investigated
Published: 15 August, 2011, 18:34
A criminal case could be brought against Novosibirsk Judge Irina Glebova, who restored the parental rights of a drug addict, a move which resulted in the death of the man’s two-year-old daughter.
Eva Glotova resided in a foster home after her drug-addicted mother passed away last year. Her father, a long-time drug user and convict, was deprived of his parental rights. However, in March this year he decided he wanted his daughter returned home and Judge Irina Glebova for some reason ruled in his favor.
Vladimir Markin, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, says that an inspection established that on February 18th and March 5th, 2011, the judge presided over two court sessions that violated court procedures.
“Following these sessions, the judge, Irina Glebova, on March 5th ruled to have the parenting rights of Vladimir Glotov restored. These rulings were unlawful by definition. Glotov’s daughter Eva, the subject of his parenting rights, had not even turned three at that time. On March 16th, 2011, a foster home was forced to turn Eva over to her drug addict father. Only two weeks later, Eva was brutally beaten by her father. Her death was caused by a stomach wound inflicted with a blunt object,” he said.
Initially, Glotov claimed his daughter had choked to death, but examination proved that the girl died from injuries, reports Vesti FM.
According to the Investigative Committee, Glotov acknowledged his guilt and explained that when Eva had refused to eat, he punched her stomach and then kicked her in the head.
Judge Glebova was forced to return her judicial robes after she was dismissed in May from the Novosibirsk Kirov District Court over her decision to restore the parental rights in the Glotov case.
However, disciplinary proceedings against this judge had been brought long before the death of Eva Glotova. Numerous complaints have previously been filed against Glebova.
Back in March the Qualifying Board of Judges ruled on disciplinary actions against Glebova – if the slightest infringement was to be found in her work, she would lose her job. Unfortunately, that did not happen soon enough. Only on May 13 did the board make a decision to terminate her powers.
If the Novosibirsk Region’s Collegiate of Judges satisfies the request of the Investigative Committee’s chairman, a criminal case will be opened against the judge.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Judge: Won't release body of boy "allegedly" killed by custodial dad, step (Gary, Indiana)
More on custodial dad RILEY CHOATE, who is accused in the torture and murder of his 13-year-old son. This article is one of the few times you'll see Daddy's custodial status confirmed. But as usual, we avoid the issue of how and why Daddy got custody, and what corrupt judge gave it to him.
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/6988607-537/judge-rules-christin-choates-body-wont-be-released-for-burial.html
Judge rules Christin Choate’s body won’t be released for burial
By Ruth Ann Krause Post-Tribune correspondent
August 10, 2011 1:56PM Updated: August 10, 2011 2:01PM
The body of a 13-year-old boy authorities say was killed by his father and stepmother will not be released for burial.
Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell ruled Wednesday that Christian Choate’s body will remain at the Lake County morgue until further notice. The decision came at a brief hearing during which Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter and defense attorneys Randy Godshalk and Linda Kollintzas said they jointly wanted to delay the burial.
Riley Choate, 39, of Hammond, and his wife, Kimberly Leona Kubina, 46, of Gary, have pleaded not guilty to murder, battery, neglect of a dependent and several other felony charges in the 2009 death of Christian Choate.
Riley Choate led investigators to the boy’s body, which was recovered May 4 from a shallow grave under a shed in the Colfax Mobile Home Park in Black Oak where the family lived.
Last week, Boswell had denied a renewed request by Godshalk for an independent autopsy on the boy’s body and ordered the coroner’s office to release the child to be buried. The boy’s funeral was May 20 at Ridgelawn Funeral Home.
In court Wednesday, Carter told the judge that parental rights are muddied in light of Choate having custody of Christian and his older sister but also being charged in the boy’s death.
In addition, Carter said the ongoing investigation into the boy’s death could necessitate additional examination of the body. Carter said if the body is released to Christian’s mother, Aimee Estrada, he thinks the remains would be cremated, making additional forensic examinations impossible.
Godshalk said attorneys also are waiting on DNA testing to confirm Choate is the boy’s father. In court, Choate told Boswell he is Christian’s father.
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/6988607-537/judge-rules-christin-choates-body-wont-be-released-for-burial.html
Judge rules Christin Choate’s body won’t be released for burial
By Ruth Ann Krause Post-Tribune correspondent
August 10, 2011 1:56PM Updated: August 10, 2011 2:01PM
The body of a 13-year-old boy authorities say was killed by his father and stepmother will not be released for burial.
Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell ruled Wednesday that Christian Choate’s body will remain at the Lake County morgue until further notice. The decision came at a brief hearing during which Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter and defense attorneys Randy Godshalk and Linda Kollintzas said they jointly wanted to delay the burial.
Riley Choate, 39, of Hammond, and his wife, Kimberly Leona Kubina, 46, of Gary, have pleaded not guilty to murder, battery, neglect of a dependent and several other felony charges in the 2009 death of Christian Choate.
Riley Choate led investigators to the boy’s body, which was recovered May 4 from a shallow grave under a shed in the Colfax Mobile Home Park in Black Oak where the family lived.
Last week, Boswell had denied a renewed request by Godshalk for an independent autopsy on the boy’s body and ordered the coroner’s office to release the child to be buried. The boy’s funeral was May 20 at Ridgelawn Funeral Home.
In court Wednesday, Carter told the judge that parental rights are muddied in light of Choate having custody of Christian and his older sister but also being charged in the boy’s death.
In addition, Carter said the ongoing investigation into the boy’s death could necessitate additional examination of the body. Carter said if the body is released to Christian’s mother, Aimee Estrada, he thinks the remains would be cremated, making additional forensic examinations impossible.
Godshalk said attorneys also are waiting on DNA testing to confirm Choate is the boy’s father. In court, Choate told Boswell he is Christian’s father.
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