Case against custodial dad in "disappearance" of daughter continues to grow (Putnam County, Florida)

Suspicions against custodial dad RONALD CUMMINGS continue to grow with additional examinations of the live-in girlfriend/child-wife. Cummings stripped Haleigh's mother of custody amidst accusations of domestic violence. Statistically, that would put the father in a much higher risk group for violence against the child. And that's not even going into other recent allegations against the father, like putting a headless rat in his brother-in-law's mailbox (previously posted about here at Dastardly Dads).

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=144098&catid=3

Expert: Misty Has Doubt About Haleigh's Dad
Jackelyn Barnard
Created: 8/28/2009 4:32:43 PM Updated: 8/28/2009 7:27:12 PM ArticleEmail


PUTNAM COUNTY, FL -- Six months after Haleigh Cummings disappeared, Misty Croslin-Cummings re-lives those last moments with a voice analysis expert and hypnosis expert.

Cummings spent more than 20 minutes under hypnosis. Most of the time was used to describe in detail those moments when Misty woke up and realized Haleigh was gone.
"We just looked and we searched and we couldn't find her," Cummings told the hypnosis expert.

The expert says Misty wasn't totally under and the test was inconclusive.

"I gave you the truth. I gave you everything that I got. If I knew more I would tell you," Misty told the expert.

More telling was the second test Misty did that same day, a layered voice analysis.

"I don't know why I woke up. I just woke up out of a deep sleep. I just woke up," said Misty. The expert, T.J. Ward, asked, "What did you notice?" Misty replied, "The kitchen light was on. All the lights were shut off when I went to bed. That kitchen light I knew was off when I went to sleep. The kitchen light was just glaring in my bedroom. So, I got up and went to the kitchen and that's when I noticed the back door was wide open."

For the next 20 minutes, Misty had a conversation with the expert, who was able to track her stress and movements.

"Do you know of any person that would bother Haleigh?" asked Ward. Misty replied, "I really didn't know a lot of people. I have suspicions, yeah."

Police have asked us not to release that part of the tape.

But it's what Misty did say during that section that raised a red flag for the voice expert. "You have knowledge of the person who has taken Haleigh. You need to think. You need to tell me the truth because I can see changes," Ward told Misty.

While fighting back tears, Misty said, "I've been trying to think. I've been thinking for six months. I don't know. I don't know if I seen something in my sleep. I don't know."

"There's something you are not telling me. Okay, I want you to tell me about it. I can see it. There's things about Haleigh you are not telling anybody," Ward told her.

"There's nothing I'm not telling nobody. I told everybody everything that I know. I don't know what you are trying to get out of me. I'm 17 years old. What do you think, come on how much can a 17 year old take?" Misty replied.

Misty was then asked about Ronald Cummings, Haleigh's dad and her new husband. It was that questioning which puzzled the expert.

"Ronald had nothing to do with his daughter. He loves his daughter more than anything in this world," Misty told Ward.

He then told her, "When I asked you that, it came up and said you are not sure. Why is there doubt in your mind?"

Misty replied, "I don't know. I don't know if there's doubt in my mind, really Ronald didn't have nothing to do with his daughter, I can tell you that."

Ward then asked Misty, "What do you think happened to Haleigh?"

Misty replied, "I don't know what's happened to her. I mean I don't think she's dead, and I don't think she's dead at all. Everyone keeps saying she could be, I don't think Haleigh's dead."

Ward then pressed Misty a little more, asking her if someone has threatened her not to say what happened to Haleigh.

"No, nobody told me nothing to say about Haleigh or nothing. I've never been once told not to tell where Haleigh is. I wouldn't care if someone told me not to tell I would still tell. I don't care if they want to kill me. Go ahead and kill me, they can have my life for her back any day."

Dad was miffed because mom wanted to move, so he slaughtered their daughter (Gary, Indiana)

This is an update on a story we posted on previously. And I'll tell you the Fathers Rights spin on this even before it happens.

They'll say that poor victimized CORDELL RICHARDSON was so overwhelmed with pain at the thought that his beloved daughter was moving to Texas that, well, he reacted strongly (throat clearing here, as speaker tries to soft-pedal the fact that Dad blasted a hole into the chest of an innocent baby, killing her almost instantly). So, they'll say, that's why moms should not be allowed to move if they have custody, and have to be chained to the same town or city for 18 years or more, regardless of the educational or professional opportunities available there, or the family, friends, or loved ones that may live elsewhere. Moms need to be stripped of the constitutional right to free movement that every other American takes for granted. Although a non-custodial dad is free to move where ever he likes, neglecting his kids and taking no responsibility, and nobody should chain him, because, ahem, he's a man after all. And should Dad be the one to have custody, well, we won't go into that, because we don't like to talk about relocation restrictions that would apply to custodial dads, you know.

Bull malarkey.

Guys like Cordell Richardson happen all the time. Despite what the neighbors think (or hope), they don't really love anybody. For them, it's all about control. Without even knowing this mother's story, I can just about tell you why she was desperate to get away from Gary, Indiana (which has been particularly hard hit by the Recession and "economic restructuring" over the past few years) and move away to Texas. I suspect that this father has a past history of violence, or at minimum, a history of threats and emotional/psychological abuse. I sincerely doubt that this guy's erratic behavior was something brand new. Letting the mom and the baby move to another state and have a fresh start threatened Dad's control. If he truly loved the baby, he would have tried to work with the mother, support her efforts to improve her life, be the best dad he could be. But no, he decided to slaughter a child just so he could show who's the boss. "Love" had nothing to do with it.

http://www.post-trib.com/news/1740944,gdeadfolo0829.article

Baby's father, charged with murder, upset by relocation plan

August 29, 2009

By Jon Seidel, Post-Tribune staff writer
GARY -- Distraught because his 19-month-old daughter might move with her mother to Texas, Cordell Richardson took the girl and, according to police, said "nobody was going to take his daughter away" before shooting and killing her.

Richardson, 22, is charged with murder in the death of the girl, Eboni Richardson. Police said he shot her in downtown Gary on Thursday just as he was expected to turn her over to her uncle. Then he shot himself in the head.

A Methodist Hospitals spokeswoman declined to release information about Richardson's condition Friday afternoon at its Merrillville campus where he's hospitalized. He faces a maximum of 65 years in prison if convicted. The Lake County Prosecutor's Office said he is to be held in the county jail without bond.

In a charging affidavit filed in Lake County Superior Court on Friday, Gary police describe a frantic attempt by friends and family to return the girl to her mother, Shaina Hill, hours before the shooting.

Hill, of Gary, told police she gave Richardson permission to take the child, according to the affidavit.

However, Cpl. Gabrielle King said Richardson called her at 4 p.m. Thursday and said she would never see Eboni again if she didn't meet him at his house by 4:30 p.m.

She arrived with police, according to reports, but Richardson wasn't there. Richardson then called Hill and refused to return Eboni.

Hill went to the home of Jamell Campbell, Richardson's brother-in-law, and told him Richardson was refusing to give Eboni back. Campbell told police he called Richardson, who told him he didn't want to lose his daughter.

Campbell called Jerry Wheeler, Richardson's friend, and Thomas Murray, Richardson's brother. Wheeler said Richardson called him and said he had kidnapped Eboni, according to court documents.

After several phone calls, Richardson agreed to meet Campbell, Wheeler and Murray at Murray's grandfather's home in Gary. When they got there, Richardson called again and told them to meet him at Bennigan's restaurant, 500 E. 5th Ave. in Gary.

The men found Richardson's truck in the parking lot and parked next to it, police said. Richardson was seen sitting on the driver's side in the back seat, holding Eboni.

Campbell told police he was walking up to the truck, heard two gunshots and saw a flash from inside. Murray opened the back door and discovered that Richardson had shot himself in the head.

Wheeler opened the door on the other side, police said, and Eboni, who had a gunshot wound in her chest, fell into his arms. Wheeler took her, got back into the car he had arrived in, and tried to drive to the hospital with Murray. Campbell got into Richardson's truck to drive there, as well.

Police said the car carrying Eboni broke down at 4th Avenue and Monroe Street, and Campbell had to pick the men and the baby up on the way to the hospital.

Members of Eboni's family could not be reached Friday.

Reggie Johnson, Hill's neighbor, said Eboni was a happy baby who liked to dress up for church and had joined his grandchildren to play outside less than a month ago.

"They were all out here playing with the bubbles," Johnson said.

He described Hill as a "work-aholic" who took care of her grandmother. He said he never noticed a problem between her and Richardson.

"He loved that baby," Johnson said.

Dad charged with felonious assault of 5-week-old son; baby has skull fracture (Toledo, Ohio)

Dad SHAWN SMITH, SR. has been charged with felonious assault for injuries inflicted on his 5-week-old son. The baby has a skull fracture and possible bleeding on the brain. The baby is in serious condition.

http://www.foxtoledo.com/dpp/news/wupw_infant_injured_father_charged_local_news_michelle_zepeda_august_25th_2009

Infant injured, father charged
5-week-old baby in hospital with brain injury
Updated: Tuesday, 25 Aug 2009, 6:04 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 25 Aug 2009, 5:02 PM EDT

Michelle Zepeda

TOLEDO, Ohio - A 5-week-old Toledo baby boy is in the hospital after police say his father abused him.

Shawn Smith, Sr., has been charged with felonious assault after detectives said he allegedly hurt his infant son. Shawn Smith, Jr., was brought into the St. Vincent Medical Mercy Medical Center's emergency room Monday evening with a skull fracture and possible bleeding on the brain.

Detectives said the newborn was allegedly abused at the family's home on Champlain Street in the city's north end.

According to police reports, the parents could not explain how their infant son was hurt.

"The hospital calls us when they have obvious child abuse they're obligated to call," said Capt. Ray Carroll, Toledo Police Department.

Detectives met the family at the hospital and then took the baby's father to the police station for questioning.

"The statements he gave us during the interviews were enough to charge him with the crime," Capt. Carroll said.

Shawn Smith, Sr., was charged with felonious assault, and a Toledo municipal judge set his bond at $500,000. He is being held in Lucas County Jail downtown until his next court appearance.

The infant was listed in serious condition.

More information on custodial father who almost drowned daughter (Clinton, Arkansas)

More information on custodial dad SAMUEL MERRYMAN. How did this overly zealous delusional father get custody of these kids anyway? Who made that decision? This little girl is dang lucky her whack job dad didn't kill her when he held her under water till she blacked out in some sort of "baptism."

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=89978&catid=2

Father Accused Of Holding Daughter Underwater

A 40-year-old Clinton man is out on a $50,000 bond after allegedly almost drowning his daughter while baptizing her. Samuel Merryman told police God asked him to do it.

Kristy Merryman says her ex-husband is a very religious man and had baptized her daughter several times before, but she says he went too far on July 29th when he allegedly held the eight-year-old under water until she blacked out.

"She was like his boy; they did everything together, fishing, hunting. She helped him work; they were buddies," says Kristy Merryman.

That's why she says she is still trying to wrap her head around what allegedly happened to her daughter.

"He has told me before about hearing voices and stuff, and that's what I kept telling him, 'How do you know that was God's voice? You've admitted to me to hearing voices before and God wouldn't tell you to do something like that anyway,' but he swears he knows God's voice," said Kristy Merryman.

Police arrested Samuel Merryman on July 31st. Sheriff Scott Bradley says he cooperated with their investigations and told Van Buren County police what happened. "He did say that it was something that the Lord was telling him to do," says Chief Bradley.


Merryman is charged with battery, endangerment of a minor and kidnapping. He said in a phone call Wednesday that all questions should be directed to his lawyer. Today's THV is working on getting in touch with his attorney.

Kirsty Merryman says it bothers her that her ex-husband is now out on bond. "My fear is that he's going to get away with this and then get to be around my kids and just continue to brainwash them with his extreme religion that doesn't even make any sense," she said.

Samuel Merryman had custody of both his children, but his ex-wife now has temporary custody. His daughter reportedly told her aunt about the incident first. That aunt then told Kristy Merryman.

Father sentenced for rape of teenage girl; son has also been sentenced (Fort Madison, Iowa)

Unbelievably revolting. It appears that father JEFFREY GENE THOMAS has brought up his son to take turns raping teenage girls with him.

http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/Father-son-rape-082809

published online: 8/28/2009
Father in rape case sentenced
By JOHN MANGALONZO

FORT MADISON -- A 44-year-old man who authorities say acted with his son in raping a teenage girl inside their home in January is going to prison.

Jeffrey Gene Thomas was sentenced Friday to serve five years in prison for assault with intent to commit sexual abuse.

Thomas also was tagged with a sexual offender special sentence, which means he will be under supervision for several years after he has served his prison term. He also must register as a sex offender for 10 years, unless discharged sooner. The special sentence also imposes a mandatory two-year prison term for the first probation revocation and a mandatory five-year prison term for any second or subsequent revocation.

Thomas' son, Geoffrey Gene Thomas, 19, was handed a two-year suspended prison term for assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor, immediately following a guilty plea in February. He, too, was tagged with the special sentence.

In May, Geoffrey Thomas' probation was revoked, and he was sent to serve the original two-year prison term.

Fort Madison police said the charges against the Thomases stemmed from a call authorities received from an emergency room doctor at the Fort Madison Community Hospital Jan. 8 about a 14-year-old girl who said she was raped inside the father and son's home.

She, and two other 14-year-old girls who spoke to police, told detectives Thomas had provided two of the girls -- including the victim -- vodka and whiskey to drink and some marijuana to smoke.

Authorities said the victim became ill from the alcohol and went to a room. The father and son soon followed, police said.

It was inside the room that Jeffrey and Geoffrey Thomas took turns in raping the girl, authorities said.

Dad charged with aggravated manslaughter in death of 2 infants (Riverview, Florida)

UPDATE: Dad MICHAEL JON ERVIN JR. has now been charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter in the death of his two infant children, an 18-month-old and a 5-month-old. Dad had been watching them while Mom was working. The babies died of hyperthermia.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/father-charged-in-the-overheating-deaths-of-his-children/1031974

Father charged in the overheating deaths of his children
By Robbyn Mitchell, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Aug 28, 2009 06:29 PM


RIVERVIEW — Deputies have arrested the father of two babies who died at Brandon Regional Hospital on Aug. 13 and charged him with two counts of aggravated manslaughter of a child.

The children were described as "nonresponsive'' and not breathing when he brought them there.
Michael Jon Ervin Jr., 26, of Valrico was taken into custody Friday at his home and booked on manslaughter charges in connection with the deaths his children, 18-month-old Dionna Ervin and 5-month-old Kaden Warren.

The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner told deputies the children died of hyperthermia, a result of being exposed to extreme environmental temperatures for an extended period of time.

Ervin, of 3807 Ridgeview Place in Valrico, arrived at Brandon Regional Hospital at 2:50 p.m. Aug. 13, pulling into the entrance to the hospital's women's center and asking for help.

Doctors' efforts to revive the children failed. The babies, the daughter and son of Ervin and 24-year-old Enidlin Warren, were pronounced dead shortly afterward.

Ervin told deputies he was caring for the children when he noticed something was wrong. Warren was away working, deputies said.

Detectives said the investigation has been difficult, but they have determined the children died while in the sole care of Ervin.

Ervin is being held without bail at Orient Road jail.

Dad gets 16 months in jail for swinging sword at 13-year-old daughter (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada)

Jeez, we just had a sword-swinging dad yesterday--or was it the day before yesterday? Anyway, dad JAININDER SINGH DUSANJH got peeved and started screaming at his wife because she hired a plumber or something stupid like that, and the 13-year-daughter had the audacity to stand up for Mom. So Dad ordered her to retrieve his sword, the sword the mother had hidden because Dad has an extensive history of domestic violence, drugs, and what-have-you (yea, I'm really surprised, too). So the girl gets the sword, and Dad starts swinging at the daughter. Fortunately he missed on the first couple of swings, and the girl was able to secure herself in her bedroom. Dad's now trying to say he was just trying to "scare" her. But the judge didn't buy that, so now he's doing 16 months in jail. I hope the mother and daughter will be able to ditch sword-swinging dad by then for good--with NO visitation.

http://www2.canada.com/surreynow/news/story.html?id=dbe41907-3423-430f-a36d-3e98e0e1977d

Sword-swinging dad loses appeal of his 16-month sentence
-CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Tom Zytaruk, Surrey NowPublished: Friday, August 28, 2009

A Surrey man who attacked his 13-year-old daughter with a sword has lost an appeal of his 16-month jail sentence.

Jaininder Singh Dusanjh, 44, had pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon following a preliminary hearing in which he faced a charge of attempted murder, following the April 2008 attack on his daughter, Jenny.

The court heard that Dusanjh returned home after being away several days and got into an argument with his wife concerning some minor renovations she'd hired a plumber to do.

Dusanjh started calling her names and their daughter, Jenny, stood up for her mom. The court heard Dusanjh ordered the child to fetch a sword, which had been hanging on a basement wall before his wife had hidden it from him.

Dusanjh had been in trouble with the law for assaulting his wife and had been convicted of assaults, breaching probation and possession of drugs.

After Jenny and her mom brought him the long, curved ceremonial sword, Dusanjh swung it at the girl and missed, cutting a big chip from a wooden handrail. He swung again, missed, and chopped a thermostat. The mother pulled her daughter away and put her in her bedroom, where she called 911.

Dusanjh claimed he was simply trying to scare the girl but the judge didn't buy it and sentenced him to 16 months on top of the seven months he'd already served.

He appealed, but it was dismissed.

"In my view, taking into consideration the seriousness of the actions of Mr. Dusanjh, directed as they were to his 13-year-old daughter in the home, and considering Mr. Dusanjh's prior criminal record of four convictions for spousal assault, the sentence imposed is entirely fit," Appeal Court Justice Robert Bauman declared.