Dad is identified as ALLEN RAY WILLIAMS.
http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/1/article/57964/
Statesboro father indicted for murder of 4-month-old
Allen Ray Williams charged in Sept. death of infant son
Posted: March 19, 2014 12:33 p.m.
Updated: March 19, 2014 12:30 p.m.
From staff reports
A man has been indicted on a felony murder count in the killing of his 4-month-old son, according to the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office.
On Sept. 12, deputies and Bulloch County EMS responded to a mobile home in the 2000 block of Old Register Road along for a 4-month-old child reportedly not breathing. EMS transported the child to East Georgia Regional Medical Center, where he died.
Investigators responded to both the scene and hospital to begin an investigation.
Extensive interviews were conducted with the father of the child, Allan Ray Williams, 29, of the mobile home, who had recently moved to Bulloch County from Johnson
County. Williams indicated that his son had choked while drinking a bottle in his crib and that upon noticing the child in distress, he called for help, Sheriff Lynn Anderson said in a news release issued Wednesday.
Based on multiple interviews with Williams and others, along with the processing of the residence, inconsistencies appeared in Williams' story, Anderson said.
A subsequent autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Coastal Regional Crime Lab further highlighted the fact that the child did not die as related by Williams, the sheriff said.
Chief Deputy Jared Akins, of the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office, said Wednesday that the autopsy revealed the infant died of asphyxiation.
On Sept. 27, Williams was charged with second-degree cruelty to children and making false statements. He has since remained in custody.
On Monday, the Grand Jury of Bulloch County was presented with the facts of the case. The grand jury returned true bills of indictment on the following charges against Williams: felony murder, second-degree cruelty to children and making false statements.
Williams remains in custody with no bond at the Bulloch County Jail.
Anyone with information on this case should contact Investigator Jason Long at (912) 764-1747 or submit an anonymous tip to tips@bullochsheriff.com.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Custodial dad on trial for murder admits he beat, isolated 10-year-old son (Brampton, Ontario, Canada)
I've had about all I can stand of GARFIELD BOOTHE. Notice how possessive he was of his "fruit." This is very typical of the abusive father who gains custody--only to shut the mother out and murder the child.
http://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/4420318-father-admits-to-beating-isolating-shakeil-before-the-boy-s-death/
Father admits to beating, isolating Shakeil before the boy’s death
Brampton Guardian
By Pam Douglas
BRAMPTON— In the final day of a 6 ½ week trial, Garfield Boothe told a Brampton jury Wednesday that his wife beat and chained up his 10-year-old son, yet he called her a “one-in-a-million mom” in a jailhouse love letter he wrote less than a year ago.
Nichelle Boothe-Rowe is the “only woman I want to raise my fruit,” Boothe wrote in one of 15 cards and love letters sent to his wife and co-accused last year while she was in custody at the Vanier Centre for Women. She is also accused of killing the boy.
Boothe professed his love for her in passages read out in court Wednesday, as he was cross-examined in the witness stand, using his own words, and quoting words from songs.
Boothe and Boothe-Rowe are both on trial for second-degree murder in the death of Boothe’s son Shakeil, 10.
Their trial began Feb. 3 and in the 6 ½ weeks that followed, a jury of five women and seven men heard from 42 witnesses as dozens of photographs and exhibits were filed in the case.
Final submissions from the Crown, Boothe’s defence lawyer John Rosen, and Boothe-Rowe’s defence lawyer Brian Ross, will be made late next Wednesday. The case is expected to be in the hands of the jury by early in the week of March 31.
The boy died in his Homeland Court home on May 26, 2011 after weeks of abuse, including being chained by the ankle to the leg of his bed in the months before he died.
His father and step-mother are blaming each other for his death and have both testified in their own defence. Boothe has been on the witness stand for three days.
On Wednesday, Boothe admitted to Crown attorney Brian McGuire in cross-examination that he suspected Shakeil had pneumonia, an illness he knew could be fatal if left untreated, but he chose not to seek medical help for him.
Boothe told jurors that, despite knowing Shakeil was sick and getting sicker, he did not take him to a doctor for fear he would be jailed and/or deported when the marks and injuries all over the child’s body were discovered.
He said he also didn’t want the couple’s baby, Jayden, to be taken away by Children’s Aid Society.
“It was not just Shakeil I was thinking about at the time,” he testified. “I had to think about Nichelle and Jayden… I was thinking about my family at home.”
“Where did you show any concern for his (Shakeil’s) life?” McGuire demanded of Boothe.
“Shakeil was being treated for a cold… I was unaware of what was transpiring with Shakeil at the time would have cost him his life.”
He said he was treating Shakeil’s illness with Tylenol and Buckley’s, and was inquiring about getting antibiotics from Jamaica.
Boothe thought the Children’s Aid Society would have taken Shakeil and Jayden out of the house if they knew Shakeil was being chained up.
“That would have been the best thing that happened to Shakeil if he was taken away by the authorities,” McGuire said.
Boothe agreed.
McGuire pointed out Boothe “isolated” Shakeil by removing him from “anybody who could blow the whistle on you”.
“All of the institutions of Canadian society that might raise an alarm about the way you were treating your son. You isolated him from that,” McGuire said.
“Yes, correct,” Boothe answered, noting he kept him out of school, didn’t take him to a doctor, and lied to the Children’s Aid Society all so they would not discover the boy was being beaten and chained.
“You chose to protect yourself rather than his health,” McGuire accused.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Boothe responded.
Boothe admitted beating Shakeil with the boy’s own belt until he bled on several occasions. He said he would hit him on the shoulders, legs and feet, saying he was disciplining him.
“That’s how I was brought up,” he testified.
When asked by McGuire if Shakeil would scream out in pain when he was being beaten, Boothe responded, “Not on all occasions.”
“On some occasions?” McGuire asked. “He was screaming out in pain and agony?”
“Yes,” Boothe testified.
He said he never asked him if he was hurt or in pain.
Boothe told the court he did not notice Shakeil having difficulty moving or any indication the boy was in pain, even though the coroner has testified the youngster’s ribs were broken weeks before his death, and re-fractured in the beating he received in the minutes or hours before he died.
Boothe admitted the boy spent most of his time in his room and did not go outside to play.
He said he put Polysporin on the open sores on Shakeil’s body, and said the boy would pick at scabs and open up the wounds.
Boothe said the autopsy pictures of the open sores did not represent what they looked like when he inflicted the injuries.
“This was not the end result (of his beatings),” he said when asked about the pictures.
“You’re saying it was Shakeil’s fault?” McGuire asked.
“I’m not blaming Shakeil. I would never blame my son for anything,” he responded.
He testified he did not lay a hand on Shakeil in the three weeks before his death from a combination of a severe beating, pneumonia and malnourishment.
He also refuted his wife’s testimony that he stomped on Shakeil on Mother’s Day when the boy ripped a page out of a book.
“That did not happen,” he testified.
He also denied he stomped on Shakeil during that final beating.
“I had no reason to stomp on Shakeil’s chest,” he testified.
As McGuire showed him areas of the house where Shakeil’s blood was found spattered on the wall— the hallway, the boy’s room— he admitted he had beaten him in those areas, but said he couldn’t describe the incidents because he doesn’t store negative events on his “hard drive”.
“I can’t isolate no events in that house,” he told McGuire, denying the Crown’s assertion that he had beaten the boy so many times he “lost track”.
“I can’t say that, sir. Shakeil’s discipline has been spread out over a period of time,” Boothe responded.
http://www.ourwindsor.ca/news-story/4420318-father-admits-to-beating-isolating-shakeil-before-the-boy-s-death/
Father admits to beating, isolating Shakeil before the boy’s death
Brampton Guardian
By Pam Douglas
BRAMPTON— In the final day of a 6 ½ week trial, Garfield Boothe told a Brampton jury Wednesday that his wife beat and chained up his 10-year-old son, yet he called her a “one-in-a-million mom” in a jailhouse love letter he wrote less than a year ago.
Nichelle Boothe-Rowe is the “only woman I want to raise my fruit,” Boothe wrote in one of 15 cards and love letters sent to his wife and co-accused last year while she was in custody at the Vanier Centre for Women. She is also accused of killing the boy.
Boothe professed his love for her in passages read out in court Wednesday, as he was cross-examined in the witness stand, using his own words, and quoting words from songs.
Boothe and Boothe-Rowe are both on trial for second-degree murder in the death of Boothe’s son Shakeil, 10.
Their trial began Feb. 3 and in the 6 ½ weeks that followed, a jury of five women and seven men heard from 42 witnesses as dozens of photographs and exhibits were filed in the case.
Final submissions from the Crown, Boothe’s defence lawyer John Rosen, and Boothe-Rowe’s defence lawyer Brian Ross, will be made late next Wednesday. The case is expected to be in the hands of the jury by early in the week of March 31.
The boy died in his Homeland Court home on May 26, 2011 after weeks of abuse, including being chained by the ankle to the leg of his bed in the months before he died.
His father and step-mother are blaming each other for his death and have both testified in their own defence. Boothe has been on the witness stand for three days.
On Wednesday, Boothe admitted to Crown attorney Brian McGuire in cross-examination that he suspected Shakeil had pneumonia, an illness he knew could be fatal if left untreated, but he chose not to seek medical help for him.
Boothe told jurors that, despite knowing Shakeil was sick and getting sicker, he did not take him to a doctor for fear he would be jailed and/or deported when the marks and injuries all over the child’s body were discovered.
He said he also didn’t want the couple’s baby, Jayden, to be taken away by Children’s Aid Society.
“It was not just Shakeil I was thinking about at the time,” he testified. “I had to think about Nichelle and Jayden… I was thinking about my family at home.”
“Where did you show any concern for his (Shakeil’s) life?” McGuire demanded of Boothe.
“Shakeil was being treated for a cold… I was unaware of what was transpiring with Shakeil at the time would have cost him his life.”
He said he was treating Shakeil’s illness with Tylenol and Buckley’s, and was inquiring about getting antibiotics from Jamaica.
Boothe thought the Children’s Aid Society would have taken Shakeil and Jayden out of the house if they knew Shakeil was being chained up.
“That would have been the best thing that happened to Shakeil if he was taken away by the authorities,” McGuire said.
Boothe agreed.
McGuire pointed out Boothe “isolated” Shakeil by removing him from “anybody who could blow the whistle on you”.
“All of the institutions of Canadian society that might raise an alarm about the way you were treating your son. You isolated him from that,” McGuire said.
“Yes, correct,” Boothe answered, noting he kept him out of school, didn’t take him to a doctor, and lied to the Children’s Aid Society all so they would not discover the boy was being beaten and chained.
“You chose to protect yourself rather than his health,” McGuire accused.
“I wouldn’t say that,” Boothe responded.
Boothe admitted beating Shakeil with the boy’s own belt until he bled on several occasions. He said he would hit him on the shoulders, legs and feet, saying he was disciplining him.
“That’s how I was brought up,” he testified.
When asked by McGuire if Shakeil would scream out in pain when he was being beaten, Boothe responded, “Not on all occasions.”
“On some occasions?” McGuire asked. “He was screaming out in pain and agony?”
“Yes,” Boothe testified.
He said he never asked him if he was hurt or in pain.
Boothe told the court he did not notice Shakeil having difficulty moving or any indication the boy was in pain, even though the coroner has testified the youngster’s ribs were broken weeks before his death, and re-fractured in the beating he received in the minutes or hours before he died.
Boothe admitted the boy spent most of his time in his room and did not go outside to play.
He said he put Polysporin on the open sores on Shakeil’s body, and said the boy would pick at scabs and open up the wounds.
Boothe said the autopsy pictures of the open sores did not represent what they looked like when he inflicted the injuries.
“This was not the end result (of his beatings),” he said when asked about the pictures.
“You’re saying it was Shakeil’s fault?” McGuire asked.
“I’m not blaming Shakeil. I would never blame my son for anything,” he responded.
He testified he did not lay a hand on Shakeil in the three weeks before his death from a combination of a severe beating, pneumonia and malnourishment.
He also refuted his wife’s testimony that he stomped on Shakeil on Mother’s Day when the boy ripped a page out of a book.
“That did not happen,” he testified.
He also denied he stomped on Shakeil during that final beating.
“I had no reason to stomp on Shakeil’s chest,” he testified.
As McGuire showed him areas of the house where Shakeil’s blood was found spattered on the wall— the hallway, the boy’s room— he admitted he had beaten him in those areas, but said he couldn’t describe the incidents because he doesn’t store negative events on his “hard drive”.
“I can’t isolate no events in that house,” he told McGuire, denying the Crown’s assertion that he had beaten the boy so many times he “lost track”.
“I can’t say that, sir. Shakeil’s discipline has been spread out over a period of time,” Boothe responded.
Police find 2-year-old daughter in dad's car after high-speed chase (Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania)
AYENDE CRAWFORD sounds like a real peach of a dad.
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/03/19/police-find-toddler-in-fathers-car-after-high-speed-chase/
Police Find Toddler In Father’s Car After High-Speed Chase
March 19, 2014 6:02 PM
Mary Robb Jackson
BEAVER FALLS (KDKA) — Ayende Crawford’s arrest two years ago was hard to forget.
He was taken into custody as his girlfriend was giving birth to their daughter.
Crawford, also known as Ayende Solomon, was holding his girlfriend’s hand at Heritage Valley Health System’s Beaver Hospital when he was cuffed by deputies and taken from the delivery room.
The baby was born minutes later.
At the time, Crawford was on Beaver County’s Most Wanted Fugitive List for aggravated assault, DUI, drug possession, unlawful restraint and reckless endangerment.
Last Sunday evening, in the 500-block of 17th Street in Beaver Falls, police noticed a blue Audi with illegally-tinted windows.
“Tried to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation,” said Chief Charles Jones, of the Beaver Falls Police. “The vehicle failed to stop.”
The driver, identified as 23-year-old Ayende Crawford, took off. With lights and siren, police gave chase, blowing through stop signs and down one-way streets, the wrong way.
When Crawford finally pulled over, he exited with his hands up.
In the back of the Audi, officers found Crawford’s 2-year-old daughter, Naliah. The toddler was in a car seat, but not buckled in.
“[She] became sick because of the excessive speed of the vehicle, bouncing around in the vehicle,” said Chief Jones.
Finding the little girl after the chase took police by surprise.
“Very scary, especially based on the fact that the officers at the time, when they were trying to stop the vehicle, didn’t realize there was a child in the vehicle till afterwards,” Chief Jones said.
Police allegedly also found marijuana and crack cocaine on Crawford.
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/03/19/police-find-toddler-in-fathers-car-after-high-speed-chase/
Police Find Toddler In Father’s Car After High-Speed Chase
March 19, 2014 6:02 PM
Mary Robb Jackson
BEAVER FALLS (KDKA) — Ayende Crawford’s arrest two years ago was hard to forget.
He was taken into custody as his girlfriend was giving birth to their daughter.
Crawford, also known as Ayende Solomon, was holding his girlfriend’s hand at Heritage Valley Health System’s Beaver Hospital when he was cuffed by deputies and taken from the delivery room.
The baby was born minutes later.
At the time, Crawford was on Beaver County’s Most Wanted Fugitive List for aggravated assault, DUI, drug possession, unlawful restraint and reckless endangerment.
Last Sunday evening, in the 500-block of 17th Street in Beaver Falls, police noticed a blue Audi with illegally-tinted windows.
“Tried to stop the vehicle for a traffic violation,” said Chief Charles Jones, of the Beaver Falls Police. “The vehicle failed to stop.”
The driver, identified as 23-year-old Ayende Crawford, took off. With lights and siren, police gave chase, blowing through stop signs and down one-way streets, the wrong way.
When Crawford finally pulled over, he exited with his hands up.
In the back of the Audi, officers found Crawford’s 2-year-old daughter, Naliah. The toddler was in a car seat, but not buckled in.
“[She] became sick because of the excessive speed of the vehicle, bouncing around in the vehicle,” said Chief Jones.
Finding the little girl after the chase took police by surprise.
“Very scary, especially based on the fact that the officers at the time, when they were trying to stop the vehicle, didn’t realize there was a child in the vehicle till afterwards,” Chief Jones said.
Police allegedly also found marijuana and crack cocaine on Crawford.
Dad gets prison for assaulting 2-week-old son (Scranton, Pennsylvania)
Dad is identified as DONALD DINNING.
http://wnep.com/2014/03/19/father-of-shaken-infant-sent-to-prison/
Father Of Shaken Infant Sent To Prison
Posted on: 5:27 pm, March 19, 2014, by Stacy Lange
SCRANTON — A father of four from Lackawanna County was sent to prison for shaking his youngest son so hard he spent weeks in the hospital.
Donald Dinning of Mayfield heard his sentence in court Wednesday morning.
It happened in the fall of 2012, when Donald Dinning’s son Evan was only 2 weeks old. Evan has since recovered from his serious injuries and family members say he is developing well but his father was sent to prison for shaking him when he was an infant.
Dinning was arrested in November of 2012. He went to trial late last year and was acquitted of the most serious charge against him. He was convicted of assault and endangering the welfare of a child for shaking his son Evan at their family’s home in Mayfield.
On Wednesday, a judge sentenced Dinning to three months in the Lackawanna County Prison, followed by three months of house arrest and nine and a half years of probation.
Prosecutors hope the sentence works as a deterrent for other parents.
“If parents feel overwhelmed or need help, we would much rather get in front of a problem like this than have to be here dealing with the sentencing,” said Lackawanna County Deputy A.D.A. Jen McCambridge.
The judge decided at sentencing that Dinning would receive credit for the time he’s already served in prison, meaning he will stay at the Lackawanna County Prison for about two months.
http://wnep.com/2014/03/19/father-of-shaken-infant-sent-to-prison/
Father Of Shaken Infant Sent To Prison
Posted on: 5:27 pm, March 19, 2014, by Stacy Lange
SCRANTON — A father of four from Lackawanna County was sent to prison for shaking his youngest son so hard he spent weeks in the hospital.
Donald Dinning of Mayfield heard his sentence in court Wednesday morning.
It happened in the fall of 2012, when Donald Dinning’s son Evan was only 2 weeks old. Evan has since recovered from his serious injuries and family members say he is developing well but his father was sent to prison for shaking him when he was an infant.
Dinning was arrested in November of 2012. He went to trial late last year and was acquitted of the most serious charge against him. He was convicted of assault and endangering the welfare of a child for shaking his son Evan at their family’s home in Mayfield.
On Wednesday, a judge sentenced Dinning to three months in the Lackawanna County Prison, followed by three months of house arrest and nine and a half years of probation.
Prosecutors hope the sentence works as a deterrent for other parents.
“If parents feel overwhelmed or need help, we would much rather get in front of a problem like this than have to be here dealing with the sentencing,” said Lackawanna County Deputy A.D.A. Jen McCambridge.
The judge decided at sentencing that Dinning would receive credit for the time he’s already served in prison, meaning he will stay at the Lackawanna County Prison for about two months.
Dad charged with murder in death of 23-month-old son (Mobile, Alabama)
Dad is identified as JOHN HENDERSON.
http://blog.al.com/live/2014/03/mobile_police_arrest_made_in_d.html
Mobile police: Father arrested, charged with murder in death of his toddler son
By Theresa Seiger on March 19, 2014 at 5:29 PM, updated March 19, 2014 at 6:13 PM Reddit
MOBILE, Alabama -- The father of a 23-month-old child who was brought to Providence Hospital after reportedly falling out of a high chair on Tuesday afternoon has been arrested in the child's death, said a Mobile Police Department spokeswoman.
John Henderson, the father of 23-month-old Christian Henderson, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and charged with murder, said MPD spokeswoman Ashley Rains.
He was booked into Mobile County Metro Jail at 5:47 p.m. under the name "Chris Henderson," jail records show.
According to police Henderson, 24, told hospital personnel and officers that Christian had fallen out of a high chair on Tuesday. He and the child's mother had brought Christian to Providence Hospital, where police were called around 4:45 p.m.
"Henderson was at home with the child when he said what happened," Rains said. "He called the child's mother and they came to the hospital."
Christian was suffering from life-threatening injuries and later died, said MPD spokesman Officer Terence Perkins.
"An autopsy revealed the child died of blunt force trauma to the abdomen and the cause of death was ruled homicide," Rains said. "His injuries were not at all consistent with what (Henderson) said."
Booking records show Henderson was arrested once before in 2008 on one count of disorderly conduct.
Homicide detectives are investigating the case. Anyone with information can contact MPD at 251-208-7211.
Note: Mobile police initially said the child was 24 months old, however, the child was 23-months old.
http://blog.al.com/live/2014/03/mobile_police_arrest_made_in_d.html
Mobile police: Father arrested, charged with murder in death of his toddler son
By Theresa Seiger on March 19, 2014 at 5:29 PM, updated March 19, 2014 at 6:13 PM Reddit
MOBILE, Alabama -- The father of a 23-month-old child who was brought to Providence Hospital after reportedly falling out of a high chair on Tuesday afternoon has been arrested in the child's death, said a Mobile Police Department spokeswoman.
John Henderson, the father of 23-month-old Christian Henderson, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon and charged with murder, said MPD spokeswoman Ashley Rains.
He was booked into Mobile County Metro Jail at 5:47 p.m. under the name "Chris Henderson," jail records show.
According to police Henderson, 24, told hospital personnel and officers that Christian had fallen out of a high chair on Tuesday. He and the child's mother had brought Christian to Providence Hospital, where police were called around 4:45 p.m.
"Henderson was at home with the child when he said what happened," Rains said. "He called the child's mother and they came to the hospital."
Christian was suffering from life-threatening injuries and later died, said MPD spokesman Officer Terence Perkins.
"An autopsy revealed the child died of blunt force trauma to the abdomen and the cause of death was ruled homicide," Rains said. "His injuries were not at all consistent with what (Henderson) said."
Booking records show Henderson was arrested once before in 2008 on one count of disorderly conduct.
Homicide detectives are investigating the case. Anyone with information can contact MPD at 251-208-7211.
Note: Mobile police initially said the child was 24 months old, however, the child was 23-months old.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
State declares low risk for 3-year-old boy; 5 days later killed by custodial father, step (Jefferson City, Missouri)
We first reported on this case in 2012. At that time it wasn't clear what the custodial arrangement was. Now it is pretty clear--though not stated explicitly--that JUSTIN WEBB was a custodial dad.
So how did this violent creep and the equally creepy step get custody of this child? Who gave it to them? What happened to this child's mother?
As we have stated time and time again, whenever a father has gained custody of a child (only to murder said child), the status of the mother needs to be investigated. Dead, "missing", outgunned in family court by an aggressive abuser intent on punishing her? What?
http://www.kctv5.com/story/22304869/state-declares-risk-low-for-preschooler-5-days-later-he-was-dead
State declares risk low for preschooler, 5 days later he was dead
Posted: May 21, 2013 2:02 AM EDT
Updated: Jul 20, 2013 2:10 AM EDT
By DeAnn Smith, Digital Content Manager
By Betsy Webster, News Reporter
JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KCTV) - For months, concerns had been raised about the welfare of Lucas Webb.
Authorities have arrested a father and stepmother after a 4-year-old boy died from being kicked in the stomach.
Clinton County prosecutors charged Lucas Webb's father, 34-year-old Justin Webb, and his stepmother, Melissa Webb, 32, with second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Both are being held at the Clinton County Jail on $500,000 bond each.
Born Jan. 3, 2008, Lucas knew much pain and suffering in his four short years. Missouri social workers either dismissed or overlooked signs that he was abused, including comments made by the little boy himself.
On Oct. 10, 2012, state social workers closed an investigation, saying that they had determined "the risk level is low for current parents."
On Oct. 16, 2012, state social workers, using Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's letterhead, would write to Justin Webb that they had investigated a Sept. 7 report that his son had bruises, welts, red marks, was malnourished and had other signs of abuse.
"There is insufficient evidence," to determine that Lucas was being abused, the letter to Webb stated. State social workers accepted Webb's contention that his son was "clumsy" and "bruised easily."
Lucas died on Oct. 15, 2012, and Webb and Lucas' stepmother, Melissa Webb, were charged with second-degree murder.
His death is one of several recent cases that have raised questions about how Missouri social workers respond to allegations of abuse and neglect involving children. Under pressure from state lawmakers, the state released on Monday hundreds of pages about their handling of the case to news media outlets that had first sought them months ago.
The first allegations about Lucas being abused came in 2009, according to the state records released Monday. More allegations were filed in January 2012, when he turned four.
By that summer, the allegations would intensify with workers at a daycare that he attended sharing their concerns with a confidential hotline to state social workers.
A Missouri Department of Social Services spokeswoman told KCTV5 that staff members had violated agency policy while handling the allegations involving the little boy.
"As a result, appropriate personnel actions was (sic) taken and two employees are no longer working for the Department of Social Services," DSS Department spokeswoman Rebecca Woelfel wrote in an email to KCTV5.
She offered her regrets.
"The death of any child is a tragedy and the Department of Social Services deeply regrets the death of Lucas," she wrote.
Lucas told an adult that his stepmother had kicked him in the stomach with her foot, according to the records released Monday. He described being deprived of food and being locked out of the house.
Daycare workers were worried about his frail condition, his lethargy, his distended stomach and absenteeism from the class. One worker said that Lucas claimed his father was mean to him and made him eat pencils.
But social workers concluded he wasn't required to go to class, so it wasn't a big enough issue for them. This came after they twice visited the home and determined food was present and Lucas suffered from typical childhood bruises.
KCTV5 interviewed a former Children's Division investigations manager on Monday. She honed in on two major mistakes that she said allowed Lucas to slip through the cracks. This included failing to hone in on the daycare workers' specific concerns about his physical appearance and Lucas describing the physical abuse.
The state worker also had concerns that on Oct. 10 a school official reported that Lucas had missed nearly three weeks of school (coinciding with the first report to the state hotline), and no call was made by the parents.
An autopsy found that Lucas died from blunt-force trauma to his abdomen. He also had fractured ribs and healed injuries.
Webb's next court appearance is July 9. Melissa Webb is due back in court on June 6.
So how did this violent creep and the equally creepy step get custody of this child? Who gave it to them? What happened to this child's mother?
As we have stated time and time again, whenever a father has gained custody of a child (only to murder said child), the status of the mother needs to be investigated. Dead, "missing", outgunned in family court by an aggressive abuser intent on punishing her? What?
http://www.kctv5.com/story/22304869/state-declares-risk-low-for-preschooler-5-days-later-he-was-dead
State declares risk low for preschooler, 5 days later he was dead
Posted: May 21, 2013 2:02 AM EDT
Updated: Jul 20, 2013 2:10 AM EDT
By DeAnn Smith, Digital Content Manager
By Betsy Webster, News Reporter
JEFFERSON CITY, MO (KCTV) - For months, concerns had been raised about the welfare of Lucas Webb.
Authorities have arrested a father and stepmother after a 4-year-old boy died from being kicked in the stomach.
Clinton County prosecutors charged Lucas Webb's father, 34-year-old Justin Webb, and his stepmother, Melissa Webb, 32, with second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Both are being held at the Clinton County Jail on $500,000 bond each.
Born Jan. 3, 2008, Lucas knew much pain and suffering in his four short years. Missouri social workers either dismissed or overlooked signs that he was abused, including comments made by the little boy himself.
On Oct. 10, 2012, state social workers closed an investigation, saying that they had determined "the risk level is low for current parents."
On Oct. 16, 2012, state social workers, using Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon's letterhead, would write to Justin Webb that they had investigated a Sept. 7 report that his son had bruises, welts, red marks, was malnourished and had other signs of abuse.
"There is insufficient evidence," to determine that Lucas was being abused, the letter to Webb stated. State social workers accepted Webb's contention that his son was "clumsy" and "bruised easily."
Lucas died on Oct. 15, 2012, and Webb and Lucas' stepmother, Melissa Webb, were charged with second-degree murder.
His death is one of several recent cases that have raised questions about how Missouri social workers respond to allegations of abuse and neglect involving children. Under pressure from state lawmakers, the state released on Monday hundreds of pages about their handling of the case to news media outlets that had first sought them months ago.
The first allegations about Lucas being abused came in 2009, according to the state records released Monday. More allegations were filed in January 2012, when he turned four.
By that summer, the allegations would intensify with workers at a daycare that he attended sharing their concerns with a confidential hotline to state social workers.
A Missouri Department of Social Services spokeswoman told KCTV5 that staff members had violated agency policy while handling the allegations involving the little boy.
"As a result, appropriate personnel actions was (sic) taken and two employees are no longer working for the Department of Social Services," DSS Department spokeswoman Rebecca Woelfel wrote in an email to KCTV5.
She offered her regrets.
"The death of any child is a tragedy and the Department of Social Services deeply regrets the death of Lucas," she wrote.
Lucas told an adult that his stepmother had kicked him in the stomach with her foot, according to the records released Monday. He described being deprived of food and being locked out of the house.
Daycare workers were worried about his frail condition, his lethargy, his distended stomach and absenteeism from the class. One worker said that Lucas claimed his father was mean to him and made him eat pencils.
But social workers concluded he wasn't required to go to class, so it wasn't a big enough issue for them. This came after they twice visited the home and determined food was present and Lucas suffered from typical childhood bruises.
KCTV5 interviewed a former Children's Division investigations manager on Monday. She honed in on two major mistakes that she said allowed Lucas to slip through the cracks. This included failing to hone in on the daycare workers' specific concerns about his physical appearance and Lucas describing the physical abuse.
The state worker also had concerns that on Oct. 10 a school official reported that Lucas had missed nearly three weeks of school (coinciding with the first report to the state hotline), and no call was made by the parents.
An autopsy found that Lucas died from blunt-force trauma to his abdomen. He also had fractured ribs and healed injuries.
Webb's next court appearance is July 9. Melissa Webb is due back in court on June 6.
Dad indicted for life-threatening injuries to 3-year-old daughter (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Dad is identified as MACIE PRIDGEN.
http://wavy.com/2014/03/18/dad-indicted-on-child-abuse-charges/
Dad indicted on child abuse charges
By Rachel West
Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 7:13 am
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A Virginia Beach man was indicted on charges he abused a 3-year-old last year.
Macie Pridgen with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said the child’s father, Erico Sawyer, 29, was indicted on charges of malicious wounding and child cruelty/abuse/neglect Monday.
In September, Sawyer was arrested after the child was taken to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters with possible life-threatening injuries. Further information on the case was not released.
A next court date of May 27 was scheduled.
http://wavy.com/2014/03/18/dad-indicted-on-child-abuse-charges/
Dad indicted on child abuse charges
By Rachel West
Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 7:13 am
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A Virginia Beach man was indicted on charges he abused a 3-year-old last year.
Macie Pridgen with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said the child’s father, Erico Sawyer, 29, was indicted on charges of malicious wounding and child cruelty/abuse/neglect Monday.
In September, Sawyer was arrested after the child was taken to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters with possible life-threatening injuries. Further information on the case was not released.
A next court date of May 27 was scheduled.
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