Crime Magazine is about true crime: organized crime, celebrity crime, serial killers, corruption, sex crimes, capital punishment, prisons, assassinations, justice issues, crime books, crime films and crime studies.
Dastardly Dads
ANONYMOUSnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7811125
Updated: 1 hour 49 min ago
Custodial dad convicted of 1st-degree murder in death of 8-year-old daughter (Pueblo, Colorado)
Why did killer dad JOHN WESLEY FRENCH JR. have custody, and who gave it to him?
We've posed on this case before.
http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/father-convicted-in-daughter-s-death/article_c062be7e-9193-11e2-9f9f-0019bb2963f4.html
Father convicted in daughter's death
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole
Posted: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 1:25 pm | Updated: 10:28 pm, Wed Mar 20, 2013.
By JEFF TUCKER
As he did through much of his first-degree murder trial, John Wesley French Jr. stared off into the distance as a guilty verdict was reached for each of his three charges stemming from the death of his daughter.
French, 34, was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole, a mandatory term for the first-degree murder charge.
"It's justice. It's justice," said Lacie Fernandez, mother of 8-year-old Desirea French, whose lifeless body was found April 10, 2011, by her grandfather in the home he shared with Desirea and her father.
"They got justice for Des and that's all I wanted," Fernandez said.
The jury of nine women and three men took less than three hours Wednesday morning to reach their decision.
French was convicted on two separate counts of first-degree murder, one was after deliberation and the other was for knowingly causing the death of a child under the age of 12.
He also was convicted of child abuse resulting in death.
French's attorneys, Public Defenders Suzanne Reynolds and Albert Singleton, didn't dispute that French killed his daughter, but argued that it was an accident and French's attempt at suicide was a grief-stricken response to what had happened in the home.
But prosecutors Karl Kuenhold and Stephen Talbot argued that French planned to kill himself that day and couldn't bear the thought of leaving his daughter behind.
The trial's closing arguments on Tuesday revolved around differing interpretations of blood patterns at the crime scene and what caused a wound to French's hand that had what appeared to be his daughter's hair in it.
In pronouncing his sentence to French, District Judge Victor Reyes referred back to those arguments.
"I don't think anyone would disagree that what happened was nothing but a tragedy," he said. "Only you know what happened that day. It's just very sad."
We've posed on this case before.
http://www.chieftain.com/news/local/father-convicted-in-daughter-s-death/article_c062be7e-9193-11e2-9f9f-0019bb2963f4.html
Father convicted in daughter's death
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole
Posted: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 1:25 pm | Updated: 10:28 pm, Wed Mar 20, 2013.
By JEFF TUCKER
As he did through much of his first-degree murder trial, John Wesley French Jr. stared off into the distance as a guilty verdict was reached for each of his three charges stemming from the death of his daughter.
French, 34, was immediately sentenced to life in prison without parole, a mandatory term for the first-degree murder charge.
"It's justice. It's justice," said Lacie Fernandez, mother of 8-year-old Desirea French, whose lifeless body was found April 10, 2011, by her grandfather in the home he shared with Desirea and her father.
"They got justice for Des and that's all I wanted," Fernandez said.
The jury of nine women and three men took less than three hours Wednesday morning to reach their decision.
French was convicted on two separate counts of first-degree murder, one was after deliberation and the other was for knowingly causing the death of a child under the age of 12.
He also was convicted of child abuse resulting in death.
French's attorneys, Public Defenders Suzanne Reynolds and Albert Singleton, didn't dispute that French killed his daughter, but argued that it was an accident and French's attempt at suicide was a grief-stricken response to what had happened in the home.
But prosecutors Karl Kuenhold and Stephen Talbot argued that French planned to kill himself that day and couldn't bear the thought of leaving his daughter behind.
The trial's closing arguments on Tuesday revolved around differing interpretations of blood patterns at the crime scene and what caused a wound to French's hand that had what appeared to be his daughter's hair in it.
In pronouncing his sentence to French, District Judge Victor Reyes referred back to those arguments.
"I don't think anyone would disagree that what happened was nothing but a tragedy," he said. "Only you know what happened that day. It's just very sad."
Categories: crime
Dad arrested for torturing kids during weekend visitation (Highland, California)
Let's see now. Dad ANTWONE RATTER has a previous CONVICTION for child abuse. The mother of these two children is either divorced or separated from him. And yet he has weekend visitation?
Notice that we are NOT told how this weekend visitation came about, but somehow I suspect it was not Mom's idea. This suggests that it was very likely court-ordered, through the reporter does not explore that angle.
Too bad. What we need to know here is why this f**k up was allowed around children again, when he is really a pretty sick puppy. The Geneva Convention bans this kind of treatment for prisoners of war, and yet we think it's just dandy to inflict binding, gagging, and beatings on children in the name of fathers rights?
If this was court-ordered, I WANT TO SEE THE JUDGE'S NAME.
http://www.pe.com/local-news/san-bernardino-county/san-bernardino-county-headlines-index/20130320-highland-father-accused-of-torturing-children-for-misbehaving.ece
HIGHLAND: Dad accused of torturing kids for misbehaving
BY JOHN ASBURY | STAFF WRITER | March 20, 2013; 09:13 AM |
A Highland man with a criminal history of child abuse was arrested after his young children accused him of torturing them for misbehaving.
A woman took her 5-year-old daughter to the Highland police station Monday, March 18, after finding bruising on the girl’s back, San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials said in a news release.
The girl had spent the weekend with her biological father, Antwone Ratter, 26. She told police he had beaten her for misbehaving.
The girl “described cruel and unusual physical extremes that Rattler subjected her to on an almost daily basis,” sheriff’s officials said. “She described how she was bound and gagged, and forced into physically exhausting positions for extended periods of time.”
The girl’s 9-year-old bother was later taken from the home and told police he was given similar beatings and punishments.
Sheriff’s detectives reached Wednesday declined to elaborate on the abuse or explain the types of punishments.
Ratter was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and torture and booked at the West Valley Detention Center, where bail was set at $500,000. As of Wednesday morning, online court records did not show he had been charged.
He was previously convicted of abusing his son.
Notice that we are NOT told how this weekend visitation came about, but somehow I suspect it was not Mom's idea. This suggests that it was very likely court-ordered, through the reporter does not explore that angle.
Too bad. What we need to know here is why this f**k up was allowed around children again, when he is really a pretty sick puppy. The Geneva Convention bans this kind of treatment for prisoners of war, and yet we think it's just dandy to inflict binding, gagging, and beatings on children in the name of fathers rights?
If this was court-ordered, I WANT TO SEE THE JUDGE'S NAME.
http://www.pe.com/local-news/san-bernardino-county/san-bernardino-county-headlines-index/20130320-highland-father-accused-of-torturing-children-for-misbehaving.ece
HIGHLAND: Dad accused of torturing kids for misbehaving
BY JOHN ASBURY | STAFF WRITER | March 20, 2013; 09:13 AM |
A Highland man with a criminal history of child abuse was arrested after his young children accused him of torturing them for misbehaving.
A woman took her 5-year-old daughter to the Highland police station Monday, March 18, after finding bruising on the girl’s back, San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials said in a news release.
The girl had spent the weekend with her biological father, Antwone Ratter, 26. She told police he had beaten her for misbehaving.
The girl “described cruel and unusual physical extremes that Rattler subjected her to on an almost daily basis,” sheriff’s officials said. “She described how she was bound and gagged, and forced into physically exhausting positions for extended periods of time.”
The girl’s 9-year-old bother was later taken from the home and told police he was given similar beatings and punishments.
Sheriff’s detectives reached Wednesday declined to elaborate on the abuse or explain the types of punishments.
Ratter was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and torture and booked at the West Valley Detention Center, where bail was set at $500,000. As of Wednesday morning, online court records did not show he had been charged.
He was previously convicted of abusing his son.
Categories: crime
Why was dad under investigation for killing newborn son allowed to return home and kill other infant son in SAME way? (Washington County, Arkansas)
We've posted on dad TRAVIS FOX before.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2295393/Why-Arkansas-father-Travis-Fox-investigation-killing-newborn-son-allowed-return-family-home.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Why was father under investigation for shaking his newborn son to death allowed to return to the family home where he killed his other baby son in the SAME way?
Travis Fox confessed to killing his two infant sons Travis Fox II and William Fox - 18-months apart
He was under investigation for his first child's death by shaking when his second son was hospitalized and died the same way
Fox has a history with drugs and anger issues
By PAUL THOMPSON
PUBLISHED: 15:01 EST, 18 March 2013 | UPDATED: 08:09 EST, 19 March 2013
Hard questions are being asked in Springdale, Washington County, after a 24-year-old father appeared in court today charged with the violent murders of his two infant sons - 18-months apart.
Travis Fox admitted to police in the Arkansas city that last week he shook his seven-month old son William to death after consuming five beers on Wednesday and then confessed to killing his son Travis Fox II the exact same way in 2011 after a tequila binge.
And despite his fiancee's shock at his admission, it has emerged that Washington County sheriff's suspected him of murdering his first child as did the couple's church pastor - but no charges were pressed and he was allowed to return home to ultimately kill again.
Seven month-old William Fox, died at Northwest Medical Center from injuries as a result of being violently shaken in his parents home on Wednesday last week.
Questioned by Springdale police, immediately after, Fox told investigators 'that he violently shook the child for an extended amount of time because the child was `fussing,' said officers in a news release.
'He demonstrated the shake and it was violent,' said officials, who added that Fox said he had been heavily drinking before shaking his infant son to death.
While Springdale police officers were investigating the death they learned Fox was already under investigation by Washington County sheriff's for the death of his other son Travis II 18 months ago.
Travis II died from 'suspicious' injuries in September 2011.
An autopsy was inconclusive and Fox was never charged with any crime - despite the strong suspicion of the Washington County Coroner.
Indeed, after the death of his latest son, the coroner remembered Fox and contacted police.
In addition, the Foxes pastor, Tim Estes admitted to 40/29 News in Arkansas that after the memorial service for the couple's first child, he felt uneasy about the circumstances.
'I have to tell you some alarm bells went off in my mind when the first baby was brought in. Something felt uneasy in my spirit,' said Estes.
But in the aftermath of the terrible crimes against two defenseless children, hindsight is proving no help for those who knew Travis Fox.
Estes told 40/29 that Fox had been known to suffer from drug and anger issues and he had tried to help him as a youth.
Neighbors also said that they sometimes heard the Foxes argue. Angela Robison who lived in the same Olivewood Apartments as the Foxes said she would hear him argue with his wife Tiffany - who is currently pregnant with twins. Family home: Travis lived at his Springdale, Arkansas, home with his wife Tiffany and their sons,
'She would say ‘he hit me’ and he would say ‘I didn’t,’ said Robinson to 5newsonline.
'I would tell him ‘come to my house before you hit her, come down and talk to me’ because we were close.'
'Just, poor babies and I don’t understand how he could do it. I know he admitted it but still hard to actually think of him because he wasn’t like that.
'My kids picked on him and played around with him and he never got mad.'
His wife has claimed she knew never saw this coming and has disowned her husband, labeling him a 'baby killer'.
Incredibly, having escaped punishment for the murder of his first son, Fox and Tiffany had an falling out around a year-ago and he begged his wife to let him come home.
Judging by the dates on his wife's myspace.com page where he posted his apology, Tiffany would have been four-months pregnant with William.
'I miss him so much thats (sic) also my son,' wrote Fox. 'I love the hell out of him. Babygurl I love u (sic) so much too.'
It was while being questioned, Fox allegedly confessed to killing both his children.
He told investigators his first child died after he shook him for 30-45 seconds.
'Mr. Fox said he was angered and tired because he was up for two days without sleep,' a prosecutor wrote in his report.
The report says Fox told the investigator that he admitted drinking tequila the day of the first death and that he'd tossed the child on a chair.
Travis Fox faces two counts of first-degree murder. It is unclear whether Fox has an attorney. He s being held without bond at the Washington County Jail.
Fox also faces a charge of probation violation.
According to court documents, he was sentenced to five years probation in 2009 after pleading guilty to residential burglary and several other theft-related charges.
Fox will not be formally charged until his arraignment on April 17 and A funeral for William Fox is being planned at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2295393/Why-Arkansas-father-Travis-Fox-investigation-killing-newborn-son-allowed-return-family-home.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Why was father under investigation for shaking his newborn son to death allowed to return to the family home where he killed his other baby son in the SAME way?
Travis Fox confessed to killing his two infant sons Travis Fox II and William Fox - 18-months apart
He was under investigation for his first child's death by shaking when his second son was hospitalized and died the same way
Fox has a history with drugs and anger issues
By PAUL THOMPSON
PUBLISHED: 15:01 EST, 18 March 2013 | UPDATED: 08:09 EST, 19 March 2013
Hard questions are being asked in Springdale, Washington County, after a 24-year-old father appeared in court today charged with the violent murders of his two infant sons - 18-months apart.
Travis Fox admitted to police in the Arkansas city that last week he shook his seven-month old son William to death after consuming five beers on Wednesday and then confessed to killing his son Travis Fox II the exact same way in 2011 after a tequila binge.
And despite his fiancee's shock at his admission, it has emerged that Washington County sheriff's suspected him of murdering his first child as did the couple's church pastor - but no charges were pressed and he was allowed to return home to ultimately kill again.
Seven month-old William Fox, died at Northwest Medical Center from injuries as a result of being violently shaken in his parents home on Wednesday last week.
Questioned by Springdale police, immediately after, Fox told investigators 'that he violently shook the child for an extended amount of time because the child was `fussing,' said officers in a news release.
'He demonstrated the shake and it was violent,' said officials, who added that Fox said he had been heavily drinking before shaking his infant son to death.
While Springdale police officers were investigating the death they learned Fox was already under investigation by Washington County sheriff's for the death of his other son Travis II 18 months ago.
Travis II died from 'suspicious' injuries in September 2011.
An autopsy was inconclusive and Fox was never charged with any crime - despite the strong suspicion of the Washington County Coroner.
Indeed, after the death of his latest son, the coroner remembered Fox and contacted police.
In addition, the Foxes pastor, Tim Estes admitted to 40/29 News in Arkansas that after the memorial service for the couple's first child, he felt uneasy about the circumstances.
'I have to tell you some alarm bells went off in my mind when the first baby was brought in. Something felt uneasy in my spirit,' said Estes.
But in the aftermath of the terrible crimes against two defenseless children, hindsight is proving no help for those who knew Travis Fox.
Estes told 40/29 that Fox had been known to suffer from drug and anger issues and he had tried to help him as a youth.
Neighbors also said that they sometimes heard the Foxes argue. Angela Robison who lived in the same Olivewood Apartments as the Foxes said she would hear him argue with his wife Tiffany - who is currently pregnant with twins. Family home: Travis lived at his Springdale, Arkansas, home with his wife Tiffany and their sons,
'She would say ‘he hit me’ and he would say ‘I didn’t,’ said Robinson to 5newsonline.
'I would tell him ‘come to my house before you hit her, come down and talk to me’ because we were close.'
'Just, poor babies and I don’t understand how he could do it. I know he admitted it but still hard to actually think of him because he wasn’t like that.
'My kids picked on him and played around with him and he never got mad.'
His wife has claimed she knew never saw this coming and has disowned her husband, labeling him a 'baby killer'.
Incredibly, having escaped punishment for the murder of his first son, Fox and Tiffany had an falling out around a year-ago and he begged his wife to let him come home.
Judging by the dates on his wife's myspace.com page where he posted his apology, Tiffany would have been four-months pregnant with William.
'I miss him so much thats (sic) also my son,' wrote Fox. 'I love the hell out of him. Babygurl I love u (sic) so much too.'
It was while being questioned, Fox allegedly confessed to killing both his children.
He told investigators his first child died after he shook him for 30-45 seconds.
'Mr. Fox said he was angered and tired because he was up for two days without sleep,' a prosecutor wrote in his report.
The report says Fox told the investigator that he admitted drinking tequila the day of the first death and that he'd tossed the child on a chair.
Travis Fox faces two counts of first-degree murder. It is unclear whether Fox has an attorney. He s being held without bond at the Washington County Jail.
Fox also faces a charge of probation violation.
According to court documents, he was sentenced to five years probation in 2009 after pleading guilty to residential burglary and several other theft-related charges.
Fox will not be formally charged until his arraignment on April 17 and A funeral for William Fox is being planned at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs.
Categories: crime
Dad arrested for severely injuring 6-week-old son (Chesterfield, Virginia)
Dad is identified as BRADLEY W. SIMMONS.
http://www.wric.com/story/21702704/chesterfield-police-dad-shook-severely-injured-6-week-old-boy
Chesterfield Police: Dad Shook, Severely Injured 6-Week-Old Son
Posted: Mar 19, 2013 10:23 AM EDT Updated: Mar 19, 2013 7:31 PM EDT
CHESTERFIELD, VA—A Chesterfield County father has been arrested after police say he severely injured his 6-weeek-old son by shaking the boy.
The child was taken to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after police say the boy's father shook the child.
Bradley W. Simmons, 22, of the 15200 block of Timsberry Circle, has been charged with felony child abuse.
Chesterfield County Police say the child's mother and father took the newborn to a fire department Wednesday, March 13.
Fire officials recognized the child's injuries as suspicious and said the father's account of the child's injuries changed multiple times, Chesterfield County Police said.
Police believe Simmons was alone with the child when the alleged incident occurred. The child is now in critical but stable condition, according to police.
The child is Simmons' second child; he has an older child from a previous relationship.
Simmons is being held without bond at the Chesterfield County Jail. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years behind bars.
http://www.wric.com/story/21702704/chesterfield-police-dad-shook-severely-injured-6-week-old-boy
Chesterfield Police: Dad Shook, Severely Injured 6-Week-Old Son
Posted: Mar 19, 2013 10:23 AM EDT Updated: Mar 19, 2013 7:31 PM EDT
CHESTERFIELD, VA—A Chesterfield County father has been arrested after police say he severely injured his 6-weeek-old son by shaking the boy.
The child was taken to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries after police say the boy's father shook the child.
Bradley W. Simmons, 22, of the 15200 block of Timsberry Circle, has been charged with felony child abuse.
Chesterfield County Police say the child's mother and father took the newborn to a fire department Wednesday, March 13.
Fire officials recognized the child's injuries as suspicious and said the father's account of the child's injuries changed multiple times, Chesterfield County Police said.
Police believe Simmons was alone with the child when the alleged incident occurred. The child is now in critical but stable condition, according to police.
The child is Simmons' second child; he has an older child from a previous relationship.
Simmons is being held without bond at the Chesterfield County Jail. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years behind bars.
Categories: crime
Dad accused of breaking legs of 6-month-old son for crying (Granite City, Illinois)
Mom has lost custody to CPS though she apparently isn't charged with anything. Dad is identified as MATTHEW BARNETT.
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/03/matthew_barnett_granite_city_battery.php
Matthew Barnett: Granite City Dad Accused of Breaking Six-Month-Old Son's Legs
By Sam Levin Tue., Mar. 19 2013 at 2:00 PM
Today in terrible parenting news, we bring you the case of Matthew Barnett, a 24-year-old Granite City father who, police say, badly injured his six-month-old child.
On Friday at around 1:40 a.m, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services alerted the Madison County Sheriff's Office to a child being treated for trauma at a St. Louis area hospital. The infant had suffered multiple leg fractures and bruising to his body -- and an investigation, officials say, revealed the father was responsible.
Why? Apparently the baby was crying.
Authorities met with the father and mother of the infant as part of an investigation that revealed "Barnett forcefully tugged at the child's legs while the child was crying, which caused the fractures," the Madison County Sheriff's Office says in its announcement yesterday of his arrest.
Officials say that incident happened on Tuesday, a week ago, when the father was reportedly alone with the child.
The infant, however, was not taken to the hospital until the early morning hours of March 15 -- several days later.
The dad, charged with aggravated battery of a child, was taken into custody after the investigation and was detained in a Madison County jail pending a formal review. Bond was set at $100,000.
Meanwhile the child was placed in protective custody by the Illinois Children and Family Services Department. The infant currently remains in the care of the hospital and is expected to recover from the injuries. Madison County Sheriff's Office
Here's the full announcement from Madison County:
The following individual was charged today in Madison County Circuit Court with a felony charge of AGGRAVATED BATTERY OF A CHILD:
MATTHEW E. BARNETT
MALE
AGE: 24
601 E. CHAIN OF ROCKS ROAD
GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS
On Friday, March 15, 2013, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the Madison County Sheriff's Office was advised by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (D.C.F.S.) that a six month old child, from Madison County, was being treated for non accidental trauma at a St. Louis area hospital. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office responded to the hospital and conducted an investigation.
Investigators determined the child was being treated for multiple leg fractures and bruising to his body. Investigators met with and interviewed the parents of the child. The investigation revealed that the child's father, Matthew E. Barnett was responsible for fractures to his son's legs.
The injuries reportedly occurred during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, March 12, 2013, while Barnett was alone with the child. The investigation revealed Barnett forcefully tugged at the child's legs while the child was crying, which caused the fractures.
The child was not taken to the hospital until the early morning hours of March 15, 2013, where the injuries were discovered. Investigators found no evidence linking the mother to the injuries.
Barnett was taken into custody during the early morning hours of Friday, March 15, 2013. Barnett was detained in the Madison County Jail pending a formal review of facts by the Madison County States Attorney's Office.
The child was placed in protective custody by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service. The child remains in the care of a St. Louis area hospital and is expected to recover from the injuries.
The warrant and information were issued by the Honorable Judge James Hackett. Bond was set at $100,000.00.
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2013/03/matthew_barnett_granite_city_battery.php
Matthew Barnett: Granite City Dad Accused of Breaking Six-Month-Old Son's Legs
By Sam Levin Tue., Mar. 19 2013 at 2:00 PM
Today in terrible parenting news, we bring you the case of Matthew Barnett, a 24-year-old Granite City father who, police say, badly injured his six-month-old child.
On Friday at around 1:40 a.m, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services alerted the Madison County Sheriff's Office to a child being treated for trauma at a St. Louis area hospital. The infant had suffered multiple leg fractures and bruising to his body -- and an investigation, officials say, revealed the father was responsible.
Why? Apparently the baby was crying.
Authorities met with the father and mother of the infant as part of an investigation that revealed "Barnett forcefully tugged at the child's legs while the child was crying, which caused the fractures," the Madison County Sheriff's Office says in its announcement yesterday of his arrest.
Officials say that incident happened on Tuesday, a week ago, when the father was reportedly alone with the child.
The infant, however, was not taken to the hospital until the early morning hours of March 15 -- several days later.
The dad, charged with aggravated battery of a child, was taken into custody after the investigation and was detained in a Madison County jail pending a formal review. Bond was set at $100,000.
Meanwhile the child was placed in protective custody by the Illinois Children and Family Services Department. The infant currently remains in the care of the hospital and is expected to recover from the injuries. Madison County Sheriff's Office
Here's the full announcement from Madison County:
The following individual was charged today in Madison County Circuit Court with a felony charge of AGGRAVATED BATTERY OF A CHILD:
MATTHEW E. BARNETT
MALE
AGE: 24
601 E. CHAIN OF ROCKS ROAD
GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS
On Friday, March 15, 2013, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the Madison County Sheriff's Office was advised by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (D.C.F.S.) that a six month old child, from Madison County, was being treated for non accidental trauma at a St. Louis area hospital. Investigators with the Sheriff's Office responded to the hospital and conducted an investigation.
Investigators determined the child was being treated for multiple leg fractures and bruising to his body. Investigators met with and interviewed the parents of the child. The investigation revealed that the child's father, Matthew E. Barnett was responsible for fractures to his son's legs.
The injuries reportedly occurred during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, March 12, 2013, while Barnett was alone with the child. The investigation revealed Barnett forcefully tugged at the child's legs while the child was crying, which caused the fractures.
The child was not taken to the hospital until the early morning hours of March 15, 2013, where the injuries were discovered. Investigators found no evidence linking the mother to the injuries.
Barnett was taken into custody during the early morning hours of Friday, March 15, 2013. Barnett was detained in the Madison County Jail pending a formal review of facts by the Madison County States Attorney's Office.
The child was placed in protective custody by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service. The child remains in the care of a St. Louis area hospital and is expected to recover from the injuries.
The warrant and information were issued by the Honorable Judge James Hackett. Bond was set at $100,000.00.
Categories: crime
Dad gets life in prison for torture murder of 1-year-old son (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Dad is identified as ANDRE HAMPTON.
http://www.wcnc.com/news/crime/Life-or-death-Verdict-reached-in-trial-for-beaten-toddler-198980591.html
Father gets life in prison for the murder of his 1-year-old son
by TONY BURBECK / NBC Charlotte
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:37 AM Updated today at 5:55 PM
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A father will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his young son, but will not face death row.
A jury decided Andre Hampton's fate Tuesday after about 16 hours of deliberations spanning three days. The same jury convicted Hampton of abuse and murder by torture in the death of his 23-month-old son Elijah Burger.
Hampton beat Burger to death with a belt, toothbrush and hairbrush. Some investigators call it the worst murder they've ever seen in Mecklenburg County.
"It was a family tragedy that Elijah Burger died and the verdict speaks with compassion," said attorney Norman Butler, who represented Hampton.
"We respect their decision, we respect the process they followed to do it and we respect the system of laws that allowed them to do it," said Assistant District Attorney Bill Stetzer after the jury rendered the verdict.
Prosecutors offered Hampton life in prison but Hampton and his attorneys chose to go to trial.
Hampton spoke after learning his fate and told courtroom there are no words to describe how sorry he is. Hampton also thanked the prosecutors because their case showed how much they cared about Elijah.
"I appreciate those words and he'll never be free to hurt another child, and that gives us some solace," Stetzer said.
Jurors left the courthouse escorted by deputies and did not explain their verdict.
Hampton's mother April Gadson gave NBC Charlotte this statement:
"To God be all the glory! I am relieved that the jury saw fit to save my son's life. I am very thankful. I tried to raise my children in a way that they would not have had a fate such as this. But God is always in control. We loved Elijah and will go forth as a family to make sure that we as well as other people will be educated to break the cycle of abuse."
The trial and sentencing was flat-out gut wrenching, from the testimony to the pictures.
Most if not all the jurors, as well as others in the courtroom, cried when it was over.
http://www.wcnc.com/news/crime/Life-or-death-Verdict-reached-in-trial-for-beaten-toddler-198980591.html
Father gets life in prison for the murder of his 1-year-old son
by TONY BURBECK / NBC Charlotte
Posted on March 19, 2013 at 11:37 AM Updated today at 5:55 PM
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A father will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering his young son, but will not face death row.
A jury decided Andre Hampton's fate Tuesday after about 16 hours of deliberations spanning three days. The same jury convicted Hampton of abuse and murder by torture in the death of his 23-month-old son Elijah Burger.
Hampton beat Burger to death with a belt, toothbrush and hairbrush. Some investigators call it the worst murder they've ever seen in Mecklenburg County.
"It was a family tragedy that Elijah Burger died and the verdict speaks with compassion," said attorney Norman Butler, who represented Hampton.
"We respect their decision, we respect the process they followed to do it and we respect the system of laws that allowed them to do it," said Assistant District Attorney Bill Stetzer after the jury rendered the verdict.
Prosecutors offered Hampton life in prison but Hampton and his attorneys chose to go to trial.
Hampton spoke after learning his fate and told courtroom there are no words to describe how sorry he is. Hampton also thanked the prosecutors because their case showed how much they cared about Elijah.
"I appreciate those words and he'll never be free to hurt another child, and that gives us some solace," Stetzer said.
Jurors left the courthouse escorted by deputies and did not explain their verdict.
Hampton's mother April Gadson gave NBC Charlotte this statement:
"To God be all the glory! I am relieved that the jury saw fit to save my son's life. I am very thankful. I tried to raise my children in a way that they would not have had a fate such as this. But God is always in control. We loved Elijah and will go forth as a family to make sure that we as well as other people will be educated to break the cycle of abuse."
The trial and sentencing was flat-out gut wrenching, from the testimony to the pictures.
Most if not all the jurors, as well as others in the courtroom, cried when it was over.
Categories: crime
Dad rapes daughter for seven years; gets just 17 years in prison (Fiji)
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/8863/man-cops-17-years-for-rape
Man cops 17 years for rape
17:36 Fri Mar 15, 2013
Taken from/By: Report by: Dev Narayan
Suva High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo has sentenced a man to 17 years imprisonment for raping his daughter.
In his ruling, Justice Temo described the case as the worst parental abuse case that he has come across in the 19-years that he has served on the bench.
Justice Temo also said the sentence should serve as a warning to fathers who want to abuse their daughters in the way the accused did.
The 37-year old father of three children was found guilty of five counts of rape and two of indecent assault.
The man whose name has been permanently suppressed systematically indecently assaulted and raped his daughter from 2004 to November 2011.
Justice Temo told the accused that he unashamedly committed these crimes in the comforts of his own home, mostly in his daughter’s bedroom.
The rapes stopped when the daughter was found to be suffering from cancer and that she was 20-weeks pregnant, carrying her own father’s child in 2011.
It was then with support from the mother and doctors, that the matter was reported to the police.
The court heard the accused has three children aged between four years and 16 years. He also apologised to his wife, children, family and the court. The court has ordered a non-parole period of 16-years imprisonment.
http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/8863/man-cops-17-years-for-rape
Man cops 17 years for rape
17:36 Fri Mar 15, 2013
Taken from/By: Report by: Dev Narayan
Suva High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo has sentenced a man to 17 years imprisonment for raping his daughter.
In his ruling, Justice Temo described the case as the worst parental abuse case that he has come across in the 19-years that he has served on the bench.
Justice Temo also said the sentence should serve as a warning to fathers who want to abuse their daughters in the way the accused did.
The 37-year old father of three children was found guilty of five counts of rape and two of indecent assault.
The man whose name has been permanently suppressed systematically indecently assaulted and raped his daughter from 2004 to November 2011.
Justice Temo told the accused that he unashamedly committed these crimes in the comforts of his own home, mostly in his daughter’s bedroom.
The rapes stopped when the daughter was found to be suffering from cancer and that she was 20-weeks pregnant, carrying her own father’s child in 2011.
It was then with support from the mother and doctors, that the matter was reported to the police.
The court heard the accused has three children aged between four years and 16 years. He also apologised to his wife, children, family and the court. The court has ordered a non-parole period of 16-years imprisonment.
Categories: crime
Six-year-old boy found in parking lot, with dad passed out (Wilmington North Carolina)
Dad is identified as JONATHAN CURTMAN.
http://www.wcti12.com/news/Police-Child-found-in-parking-lot-dad-passed-out/-/13530444/19384358/-/10mery9/-/index.html
Police: Child found in parking lot, dad passed out
By Jaime McCutcheon, Anchor
POSTED: 6:26 PM Mar 19 2013
UPDATED: 6:43 PM Mar 19 2013
WILMINGTON - Police say a father drove his six-year-old child on the back of a motorcycle from Jacksonville to Wilmington and then passed out while leaving his child to play in a parking lot.
Wilmington Police say they found the child at 8:48 Monday night in the parking lot outside of the Dollar Store on College Road in Wilmington. Witnesses told the officers the six-year-old child had been left in the parking lot and had been playing with toy cars for several hours.
While attempting to locate a parent, officers found Jonathan Curtman, the child’s biological father, passed out in some nearby bushes. Officers say they also located two packets of “Spice” in Curtman’s pockets.
The investigation revealed Curtman, 28, had brought the child from Jacksonville to Wilmington on the back of his motorcycle. He apparently bought some toy cars at the store and told the child to play on the ground behind the parked motorcycle. Curtman then went over to the bushes and passed out.
Curtman was arrested for child abuse and placed under a $5,000 secure bond. He remains in custody as of Tuesday afternoon. The child was released to the custody of the child’s mother.
http://www.wcti12.com/news/Police-Child-found-in-parking-lot-dad-passed-out/-/13530444/19384358/-/10mery9/-/index.html
Police: Child found in parking lot, dad passed out
By Jaime McCutcheon, Anchor
POSTED: 6:26 PM Mar 19 2013
UPDATED: 6:43 PM Mar 19 2013
WILMINGTON - Police say a father drove his six-year-old child on the back of a motorcycle from Jacksonville to Wilmington and then passed out while leaving his child to play in a parking lot.
Wilmington Police say they found the child at 8:48 Monday night in the parking lot outside of the Dollar Store on College Road in Wilmington. Witnesses told the officers the six-year-old child had been left in the parking lot and had been playing with toy cars for several hours.
While attempting to locate a parent, officers found Jonathan Curtman, the child’s biological father, passed out in some nearby bushes. Officers say they also located two packets of “Spice” in Curtman’s pockets.
The investigation revealed Curtman, 28, had brought the child from Jacksonville to Wilmington on the back of his motorcycle. He apparently bought some toy cars at the store and told the child to play on the ground behind the parked motorcycle. Curtman then went over to the bushes and passed out.
Curtman was arrested for child abuse and placed under a $5,000 secure bond. He remains in custody as of Tuesday afternoon. The child was released to the custody of the child’s mother.
Categories: crime
"Caretaking" dad held after toddler son found wandering on road in dirty diaper (Clarendon County, South Carolina)
Once again, it appears we have one of those classic deadbeat, lying daddies (also known in polite terms as "stay-at-home" fathers) who busy snoozing while Mom was working.
And given that mothers must be punished and held accountable for what fathers do (though fathers are seldom held accountable for what mothers do), SHE has lost custody to the Department of Social Services because she "involved" Daddy. Just like mothers are told they must do by the Department of Social Services. Can't win for losing.
Dad is identified as TRIEQUOMY BROWN.
http://www.14news.com/story/21659434/sheriff-searching-for-guardian-after-toddler-found-wandering-on-road
Father held after toddler found wandering on road in dirty diaper
Posted: Mar 16, 2013 12:07 PM EDT
Updated: Mar 18, 2013 8:16 AM EDT
By Renee Standera
By Jody Barr
CLARENDON COUNTY, SC (WIS) - The father of a toddler found wandering on a busy road in a dirty diaper Saturday morning is being held on $50,000 bond and has been ordered to stay away from his son.
Clarendon County Sheriff Randy Garrett says a woman driving to work at a bank on Highway 261 near Manning found the 2 1/2-year-old boy wearing a tee-shirt, soiled diaper and shoes walking on the road at about 9 a.m. She picked him up and called 9-1-1.
Deputies took the boy door-to-door in the neighborhood trying to locate his family, but nobody recognized him.
Sheriff Garrett says nobody filed a missing child report and the child went unclaimed for more than three hours. At about 12:30 p.m., the Sheriff says a man claiming to be the boy's father went to the Sheriff's Office to pick up the child along with another man.
After he failed to answer certain questions regarding the boy, deputies determined that 17-year-old Nakeius Robinson was not the boy's father, and Robinson admitted the boy's father was his companion, who was waiting in the lobby. Robinson was charged with providing false information. He is a nephew of the boy's mother.
Garrett said deputies discovered that the father, Triequomy Brown, was wanted on a warrant for a traffic violation.
Sheriff Garrett said the boy was identified as Triquan Brown. Investigators determined the boy was found on the four-lane highway about 200 yards from the Forest Villa apartment complex where his father lived.
Brown was taken into custody on a charge of child neglect and providing false information to law enforcement. At a bond hearing Sunday, the judge ordered Brown held on $50,000 bond.
Robinson was released on $1,500 personal recognizance bond.
In court, both men admitted to lying to investigators about their identities. Robinson admitted his guilt in court.
"I'm not here to try you," the judge told him. "I'm just here to set your bond, okay?"
Major Kip Coker with the Sheriff's Office says Brown told investigators he fell asleep at about 7 a.m. Saturday and when he woke up, the boy was gone.
"It could have been a lot worse," says Coker. "A few minutes more, the child would have been in the middle of Highway 261 where there was a lot of traffic and possibly gotten hit."
Sheriff Garrett says they located the boy's mother, who was questioned by the Department of Social Services. Garrett said she was working at the time the boy wandered away and the boy's father was supposed to be taking care of him.
When Brown asked the judge how long he had to stay away from his son, the judge told him, "Until this has gone to court."
The Department of Social Services now has custody of the boy.
And given that mothers must be punished and held accountable for what fathers do (though fathers are seldom held accountable for what mothers do), SHE has lost custody to the Department of Social Services because she "involved" Daddy. Just like mothers are told they must do by the Department of Social Services. Can't win for losing.
Dad is identified as TRIEQUOMY BROWN.
http://www.14news.com/story/21659434/sheriff-searching-for-guardian-after-toddler-found-wandering-on-road
Father held after toddler found wandering on road in dirty diaper
Posted: Mar 16, 2013 12:07 PM EDT
Updated: Mar 18, 2013 8:16 AM EDT
By Renee Standera
By Jody Barr
CLARENDON COUNTY, SC (WIS) - The father of a toddler found wandering on a busy road in a dirty diaper Saturday morning is being held on $50,000 bond and has been ordered to stay away from his son.
Clarendon County Sheriff Randy Garrett says a woman driving to work at a bank on Highway 261 near Manning found the 2 1/2-year-old boy wearing a tee-shirt, soiled diaper and shoes walking on the road at about 9 a.m. She picked him up and called 9-1-1.
Deputies took the boy door-to-door in the neighborhood trying to locate his family, but nobody recognized him.
Sheriff Garrett says nobody filed a missing child report and the child went unclaimed for more than three hours. At about 12:30 p.m., the Sheriff says a man claiming to be the boy's father went to the Sheriff's Office to pick up the child along with another man.
After he failed to answer certain questions regarding the boy, deputies determined that 17-year-old Nakeius Robinson was not the boy's father, and Robinson admitted the boy's father was his companion, who was waiting in the lobby. Robinson was charged with providing false information. He is a nephew of the boy's mother.
Garrett said deputies discovered that the father, Triequomy Brown, was wanted on a warrant for a traffic violation.
Sheriff Garrett said the boy was identified as Triquan Brown. Investigators determined the boy was found on the four-lane highway about 200 yards from the Forest Villa apartment complex where his father lived.
Brown was taken into custody on a charge of child neglect and providing false information to law enforcement. At a bond hearing Sunday, the judge ordered Brown held on $50,000 bond.
Robinson was released on $1,500 personal recognizance bond.
In court, both men admitted to lying to investigators about their identities. Robinson admitted his guilt in court.
"I'm not here to try you," the judge told him. "I'm just here to set your bond, okay?"
Major Kip Coker with the Sheriff's Office says Brown told investigators he fell asleep at about 7 a.m. Saturday and when he woke up, the boy was gone.
"It could have been a lot worse," says Coker. "A few minutes more, the child would have been in the middle of Highway 261 where there was a lot of traffic and possibly gotten hit."
Sheriff Garrett says they located the boy's mother, who was questioned by the Department of Social Services. Garrett said she was working at the time the boy wandered away and the boy's father was supposed to be taking care of him.
When Brown asked the judge how long he had to stay away from his son, the judge told him, "Until this has gone to court."
The Department of Social Services now has custody of the boy.
Categories: crime
Dad accused of killing 20-month-old daughter as part of "religious ritual" (Gadsden, Alabama)
The family thinks Daddy killed this 20-month-old daughter as part of a "religious ritual"??? Say what?
Dad is identified as STEPHON LINDSAY.
http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/man-accused-of-killing-child-due-in-court-next-month/article_6fcb982e-8fdf-11e2-ad06-0019bb30f31a.html
Man accused of killing child due in court next month
Posted: Monday, March 18, 2013 10:20 am | Updated: 10:36 am, Mon Mar 18, 2013.
GADSDEN, Ala. (WBMA) - The man accused of killing his 20-month-old daughter is set to appear in court next month.
Stephon Lindsay, 35, will have a court appearance April 11th for a preliminary hearing before Etowah County District Judge Will H. Clay. The court has appointed attorneys for Lindsay.
Lindsay was arrested Tuesday night after an investigation began into the disappearance of 20-month-old Maliyah Lindsay. Maliyah's body was discovered off a dead-end road. Her father was charged with capital murder.
The child's family held a funeral Saturday afternoon in Gadsden. They tell ABC 33/40 they believe the murder was part of a religious sacrifice. Police have not yet released a motive.
Dad is identified as STEPHON LINDSAY.
http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/man-accused-of-killing-child-due-in-court-next-month/article_6fcb982e-8fdf-11e2-ad06-0019bb30f31a.html
Man accused of killing child due in court next month
Posted: Monday, March 18, 2013 10:20 am | Updated: 10:36 am, Mon Mar 18, 2013.
GADSDEN, Ala. (WBMA) - The man accused of killing his 20-month-old daughter is set to appear in court next month.
Stephon Lindsay, 35, will have a court appearance April 11th for a preliminary hearing before Etowah County District Judge Will H. Clay. The court has appointed attorneys for Lindsay.
Lindsay was arrested Tuesday night after an investigation began into the disappearance of 20-month-old Maliyah Lindsay. Maliyah's body was discovered off a dead-end road. Her father was charged with capital murder.
The child's family held a funeral Saturday afternoon in Gadsden. They tell ABC 33/40 they believe the murder was part of a religious sacrifice. Police have not yet released a motive.
Categories: crime
Dad gets life in prison for beating 4-year-old son to death during weekend visitation (Twiggs County, Georgia)
No explanation here as to whether Daddy's weekend visitation was court-ordered or "voluntary" on Mom's part.
The killer dad is identified as KELCEY JONES.
http://www.newscentralga.com/news/local/Twiggs-County-father-gets-life-in-prison-for-beating-four-year-old-son-198833821.html
Twiggs County father gets life in prison for beating four-year-old son
NewsCentral Staff
Created: Mar 18, 2013 at 3:42 PM EDT (Story Updated: Mar 18, 2013 at 3:42 PM EDT )
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's highest court has upheld the conviction and life prison sentence given to a father accused of beating his 4-year-old son to death in Twiggs County.
The Supreme Court of Georgia on Monday announced the unanimous ruling involving defendant Kelcey Jones.
An autopsy had found that Jones' 4-year-old son Joshua died of blows to the head and abdomen in September 2003. The boy's mother, who had separated from Jones earlier, said the child had been spending the weekend with his father when the beating occurred.
Kelcey Jones was sentenced in Twiggs County to life in prison for murder and an additional 20 years for first-degree cruelty to a child.
Jones appealed the conviction, but the state Supreme Court rejected most of the arguments made by his lawyers.
The killer dad is identified as KELCEY JONES.
http://www.newscentralga.com/news/local/Twiggs-County-father-gets-life-in-prison-for-beating-four-year-old-son-198833821.html
Twiggs County father gets life in prison for beating four-year-old son
NewsCentral Staff
Created: Mar 18, 2013 at 3:42 PM EDT (Story Updated: Mar 18, 2013 at 3:42 PM EDT )
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's highest court has upheld the conviction and life prison sentence given to a father accused of beating his 4-year-old son to death in Twiggs County.
The Supreme Court of Georgia on Monday announced the unanimous ruling involving defendant Kelcey Jones.
An autopsy had found that Jones' 4-year-old son Joshua died of blows to the head and abdomen in September 2003. The boy's mother, who had separated from Jones earlier, said the child had been spending the weekend with his father when the beating occurred.
Kelcey Jones was sentenced in Twiggs County to life in prison for murder and an additional 20 years for first-degree cruelty to a child.
Jones appealed the conviction, but the state Supreme Court rejected most of the arguments made by his lawyers.
Categories: crime
Dad arrested on abuse charges; 5-month-old baby has fractured ribs, bleeding on the brain (National City, California)
UNNAMED DAD
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/17/baby-father-arrested-abuse-charges/
Father of injured baby arrested on abuse charges
By Debbi Baker
2:50 p.m.March 17, 2013
NATIONAL CITY — The father of a 5-month-old was arrested on child abuse charges Friday in National City after doctors found the baby had fractured ribs and bleeding on the brain.
Paramedics were called to the baby’s home on D Avenue near East 24th Street Wednesday about 10:20 p.m. after someone reported the child was having difficulty breathing and could possibly be having a seizure, National City police said.
The infant was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital where doctors found multiple rib fractures, a recent injury causing bleeding on the brain as well as an old injury that also caused bleeding, police said.
National City police returned to the home on Friday, interviewed the parents and took the child’s father into custody. He was booked into county jail on felony child abuse charges, police said.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/mar/17/baby-father-arrested-abuse-charges/
Father of injured baby arrested on abuse charges
By Debbi Baker
2:50 p.m.March 17, 2013
NATIONAL CITY — The father of a 5-month-old was arrested on child abuse charges Friday in National City after doctors found the baby had fractured ribs and bleeding on the brain.
Paramedics were called to the baby’s home on D Avenue near East 24th Street Wednesday about 10:20 p.m. after someone reported the child was having difficulty breathing and could possibly be having a seizure, National City police said.
The infant was taken to Rady Children’s Hospital where doctors found multiple rib fractures, a recent injury causing bleeding on the brain as well as an old injury that also caused bleeding, police said.
National City police returned to the home on Friday, interviewed the parents and took the child’s father into custody. He was booked into county jail on felony child abuse charges, police said.
Categories: crime
Custodial dad convicted of "child neglect" for starving, imprisoning 15-year-old daughter in basement (Madison, Wisconsin)
We've posted on custodial dad CHAD CHRITTON before. As we have previously noted, this wasn't so much "neglect" as out and out torture. Prisoners of war are entitled to better treatment than this girl got.
So far, this is typical of the judicial wrist slapping that abusive fathers get, especially abusive fathers with full custody....
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/father-convicted-of-child-neglect-jury-deadlocked-on-other-charges/article_ee93a25e-8cfc-11e2-9161-001a4bcf887a.html
Chad Chritton convicted of child neglect; jury deadlocked on other charges
March 16, 2013 7:15 am • ED TRELEVEN | Wisconsin State Journal
Chad Chritton, whose 15-year-old daughter told authorities she was starved, abused and confined to a basement, was convicted Friday night of felony child neglect after 19 hours of deliberation by a jury over two days.
Chritton, 41, of Madison, also was acquitted of one count of misdemeanor child neglect. But for Chritton, the case may be far from over.
The jury of 10 women and two men deadlocked on four other felony charges, meaning that Chritton could be retried on the charges at a later date.
District Attorney Ismael Ozanne was circumspect afterward when asked whether he would retry the charges, which include first-degree reckless endangerment, child abuse, false imprisonment and causing mental harm to a child. Ozanne said only that he is "looking to retry" the charges.
"The next case we have is Melinda Drabek’s, that’s our next concern," Ozanne said.
Ozanne was referring to Chritton’s wife, Melinda Drabek-Chritton, 43, whose trial on similar charges will begin April 8.
Chritton’s sentencing on the felony child neglect conviction would be held after trials for Drabek-Chritton and her son, Joshua Drabek, who is scheduled to be tried on sexual assault charges in June, and after a possible retrial of Chritton on the charges on which the jury was deadlocked.
The child neglect conviction carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and three years of extended supervision.
Chritton’s lawyer, William Hayes, said after the verdicts that he did not expect the jury to do what it did.
"I had no idea what the jury was going to do," he said. Hayes said he wasn’t happy with the result because his client was convicted of a crime. But he said he was grateful that the jurors took the time over the three-week trial to listen carefully to the evidence and give it careful consideration during deliberations.
Hayes said he assumed Ozanne would prosecute Chritton again, "and then we’ll just have to gear up and go through it again."
It was apparently a difficult deliberation for the jury. In notes to Dane County Circuit Judge Julie Genovese, the jury indicated that it was deadlocked within about an hour after deliberations started Thursday afternoon.
The jury went home about 12:45 a.m. Friday and returned about 10 a.m., and by about 7:50 p.m. jurors were asking whether they could go home and return Saturday for more deliberations. But asked by Genovese whether more deliberations were likely to break the deadlock, the jury answered "no."
At that point, Genovese brought the jury into the courtroom and read verdicts on two of the charges and declared mistrials on the other four charges. Jurors declined to comment on the deliberations after the verdicts were read.
So far, this is typical of the judicial wrist slapping that abusive fathers get, especially abusive fathers with full custody....
http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/father-convicted-of-child-neglect-jury-deadlocked-on-other-charges/article_ee93a25e-8cfc-11e2-9161-001a4bcf887a.html
Chad Chritton convicted of child neglect; jury deadlocked on other charges
March 16, 2013 7:15 am • ED TRELEVEN | Wisconsin State Journal
Chad Chritton, whose 15-year-old daughter told authorities she was starved, abused and confined to a basement, was convicted Friday night of felony child neglect after 19 hours of deliberation by a jury over two days.
Chritton, 41, of Madison, also was acquitted of one count of misdemeanor child neglect. But for Chritton, the case may be far from over.
The jury of 10 women and two men deadlocked on four other felony charges, meaning that Chritton could be retried on the charges at a later date.
District Attorney Ismael Ozanne was circumspect afterward when asked whether he would retry the charges, which include first-degree reckless endangerment, child abuse, false imprisonment and causing mental harm to a child. Ozanne said only that he is "looking to retry" the charges.
"The next case we have is Melinda Drabek’s, that’s our next concern," Ozanne said.
Ozanne was referring to Chritton’s wife, Melinda Drabek-Chritton, 43, whose trial on similar charges will begin April 8.
Chritton’s sentencing on the felony child neglect conviction would be held after trials for Drabek-Chritton and her son, Joshua Drabek, who is scheduled to be tried on sexual assault charges in June, and after a possible retrial of Chritton on the charges on which the jury was deadlocked.
The child neglect conviction carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and three years of extended supervision.
Chritton’s lawyer, William Hayes, said after the verdicts that he did not expect the jury to do what it did.
"I had no idea what the jury was going to do," he said. Hayes said he wasn’t happy with the result because his client was convicted of a crime. But he said he was grateful that the jurors took the time over the three-week trial to listen carefully to the evidence and give it careful consideration during deliberations.
Hayes said he assumed Ozanne would prosecute Chritton again, "and then we’ll just have to gear up and go through it again."
It was apparently a difficult deliberation for the jury. In notes to Dane County Circuit Judge Julie Genovese, the jury indicated that it was deadlocked within about an hour after deliberations started Thursday afternoon.
The jury went home about 12:45 a.m. Friday and returned about 10 a.m., and by about 7:50 p.m. jurors were asking whether they could go home and return Saturday for more deliberations. But asked by Genovese whether more deliberations were likely to break the deadlock, the jury answered "no."
At that point, Genovese brought the jury into the courtroom and read verdicts on two of the charges and declared mistrials on the other four charges. Jurors declined to comment on the deliberations after the verdicts were read.
Categories: crime
Ten-year-old son dies from beating by custodial father (Multan, Pakistan)
This is what happens in a culture where fathers rights are institutionalized, and mothers have none. Even fathers with criminal records get complete control of the kids. Not one word here on what happened to this poor boy's mother. Typical in that the mother is erased...but this happens in stories about abusive/violent custodial fathers all the time.
Dad is identified as NASIR.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/520971/brutal-end-child-dies-from-fathers-beating/
Brutal end: Child dies from father’s beating
By Our Correspondent
Published: March 15, 2013
MULTAN: A ten year-old died on Wednesday from a beating by his father annoyed by his asking his stepmother for food.
Bharwaan Mai, Dilawar’s stepmother, told The Express Tribune that her husband, Nasir, wanted to be served dinner first. She said Dilawar began crying at this.
Nasir then began to beat him with a wooden rod until the boy fainted.
She said that Nasir then tried to revive the child and failing in the effort took the body to his father’s house in Sameej Abad colony before he fled. The deceased’s brother, Rawal, told his grandfather, Muhammad Ramazan what had happened. Ramazan then informed the police.
An FIR has been registered at the New Multan police station. Police said Nasir had a criminal record.
Post-mortem report revealed 40 fractured bones and more than 160 bruises.
Dad is identified as NASIR.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/520971/brutal-end-child-dies-from-fathers-beating/
Brutal end: Child dies from father’s beating
By Our Correspondent
Published: March 15, 2013
MULTAN: A ten year-old died on Wednesday from a beating by his father annoyed by his asking his stepmother for food.
Bharwaan Mai, Dilawar’s stepmother, told The Express Tribune that her husband, Nasir, wanted to be served dinner first. She said Dilawar began crying at this.
Nasir then began to beat him with a wooden rod until the boy fainted.
She said that Nasir then tried to revive the child and failing in the effort took the body to his father’s house in Sameej Abad colony before he fled. The deceased’s brother, Rawal, told his grandfather, Muhammad Ramazan what had happened. Ramazan then informed the police.
An FIR has been registered at the New Multan police station. Police said Nasir had a criminal record.
Post-mortem report revealed 40 fractured bones and more than 160 bruises.
Categories: crime
Ten-year-old son calls 911 after custodial dad, grandmother overdose on heroin (New Brightton, Pennsylvania)
A lot is passed over in silence in this article. Like, what happened to this boy's mother? Is she alive, dead, "missing," what? Why is this boy in the custody of a drug-addicted, neglectful father? Did somebody in the court system grant him custody? If so, who? Why is this boy now with CPS and not with the mother?
Dad is identified as CHAD STEVEN KISER.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/topsociety/ten-year-old-calls-911-after-dad-and-grandma-overdose-heroin
Ten-Year-Old Calls 911 After Dad and Grandma Overdose on Heroin
By Ashley Davis, Thu, March 14, 2013
A ten-year-old boy whose father and grandmother overdosed on heroin saved their lives by calling 911.
The child called police in New Brighton, Penn. after his father and grandmother collapsed from heroin.
Authorities arrived at the home to find Chad Steven Kiser, 34, unresponsive in the bathroom, and Ginger Ray Foust, 52, also unresponsive.
The boy first called to tell authorities that his father had collapsed, but he called back minutes later after his grandmother collapsed as well. She was trying to help Kiser.
Police said the mother and son were revived by medical personnel and are being charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
The child said the pair were trying to help each other overcome their drug addiction. He said they had tried to go to rehab before.
Authorities said there was no food in the apartment but found a pipe, scale, mirror and a silver tube for inhaling controlled substances.
He is now in county welfare custody.
Dad is identified as CHAD STEVEN KISER.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/topsociety/ten-year-old-calls-911-after-dad-and-grandma-overdose-heroin
Ten-Year-Old Calls 911 After Dad and Grandma Overdose on Heroin
By Ashley Davis, Thu, March 14, 2013
A ten-year-old boy whose father and grandmother overdosed on heroin saved their lives by calling 911.
The child called police in New Brighton, Penn. after his father and grandmother collapsed from heroin.
Authorities arrived at the home to find Chad Steven Kiser, 34, unresponsive in the bathroom, and Ginger Ray Foust, 52, also unresponsive.
The boy first called to tell authorities that his father had collapsed, but he called back minutes later after his grandmother collapsed as well. She was trying to help Kiser.
Police said the mother and son were revived by medical personnel and are being charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
The child said the pair were trying to help each other overcome their drug addiction. He said they had tried to go to rehab before.
Authorities said there was no food in the apartment but found a pipe, scale, mirror and a silver tube for inhaling controlled substances.
He is now in county welfare custody.
Categories: crime
Social workers visited home of custodial dad before hatchet killing of 9-year-old son (Sacramento, California)
Typical CPS incompetence and abuser daddy coddling.
These folks work very much hand in hand with the corrupt family courts that gave this convicted felon and wife beater custody of these kids.
Daddy is identified as PHILLIP HERNANDEZ.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/usworld/article/303601/6/Father-allegedly-kills-son-with-hatchet
Social workers visited home before hatchet killing
10:16 PM, Mar 14, 2013
(AP) - Child welfare workers investigated claims of violence and drug use at a Sacramento home three weeks before authorities said a 9-year-old boy was killed by his father with a hatchet.
While representatives from the Sacramento County Child Protective Services office confirmed drug use was going on at Matthew Hernandez' home during a Feb. 4 visit, they concluded the behavior did not warrant removing the boy and his older brother, the Sacramento Bee reported Thursday.
Despite the claim, the agency said, "The children do not appear to be in any imminent danger at this time."
Matthew's father, Phillip Hernandez, has been charged with murder in the boy's Feb. 26 slaying. The 36-year-old did not enter plea during his appearance in a Sacramento County courtroom Thursday.
He was jailed without bail and is due back in court April 12.
County records did not make clear the report whether the caregiver mentioned was Hernandez. County Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Laura McCasland declined comment Thursday to The Associated Press on whether Hernandez is the caregiver cited in the report.
The report also does not mention who made the initial claims, but the boys' mother, Jessica Hernandez, told KCRA-TV that she called CPS on Feb. 4 and 5 to complain about the welfare of her children and to report that Philip Hernandez uses drugs, is violent and there were rifles inside his home.
Phillip Hernandez was convicted of domestic violence and served prison time from July 2006 to October 2007, according to state records.
The slain boy's 12-year-old brother is now in the custody of his mother, who divorced Phillip Hernandez and lives in Las Vegas, the newspaper said.
Authorities say officers found Matthew Hernandez dead from blunt-force trauma after his father allegedly had gone into the backyard to get a hatchet and, for unknown reasons, broke through a sliding glass door to get back inside.
The boy's great-grandmother who lives in the home heard the glass shatter, ran into the living room and found Hernandez standing over his sleeping son with the ax, authorities said. The victim's brother, who was at home during the attack, was unharmed.
The county said in a written statement Thursday that it is working with law enforcement in the criminal investigation.
These folks work very much hand in hand with the corrupt family courts that gave this convicted felon and wife beater custody of these kids.
Daddy is identified as PHILLIP HERNANDEZ.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/usworld/article/303601/6/Father-allegedly-kills-son-with-hatchet
Social workers visited home before hatchet killing
10:16 PM, Mar 14, 2013
(AP) - Child welfare workers investigated claims of violence and drug use at a Sacramento home three weeks before authorities said a 9-year-old boy was killed by his father with a hatchet.
While representatives from the Sacramento County Child Protective Services office confirmed drug use was going on at Matthew Hernandez' home during a Feb. 4 visit, they concluded the behavior did not warrant removing the boy and his older brother, the Sacramento Bee reported Thursday.
Despite the claim, the agency said, "The children do not appear to be in any imminent danger at this time."
Matthew's father, Phillip Hernandez, has been charged with murder in the boy's Feb. 26 slaying. The 36-year-old did not enter plea during his appearance in a Sacramento County courtroom Thursday.
He was jailed without bail and is due back in court April 12.
County records did not make clear the report whether the caregiver mentioned was Hernandez. County Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Laura McCasland declined comment Thursday to The Associated Press on whether Hernandez is the caregiver cited in the report.
The report also does not mention who made the initial claims, but the boys' mother, Jessica Hernandez, told KCRA-TV that she called CPS on Feb. 4 and 5 to complain about the welfare of her children and to report that Philip Hernandez uses drugs, is violent and there were rifles inside his home.
Phillip Hernandez was convicted of domestic violence and served prison time from July 2006 to October 2007, according to state records.
The slain boy's 12-year-old brother is now in the custody of his mother, who divorced Phillip Hernandez and lives in Las Vegas, the newspaper said.
Authorities say officers found Matthew Hernandez dead from blunt-force trauma after his father allegedly had gone into the backyard to get a hatchet and, for unknown reasons, broke through a sliding glass door to get back inside.
The boy's great-grandmother who lives in the home heard the glass shatter, ran into the living room and found Hernandez standing over his sleeping son with the ax, authorities said. The victim's brother, who was at home during the attack, was unharmed.
The county said in a written statement Thursday that it is working with law enforcement in the criminal investigation.
Categories: crime
Dad "accidentally" shoots and kills 10-month-old son (Nashville, Tennessee)
Why are the authorities so quick to call these incidents an "accident"? Funny how most of these "accidental" shootings of children involve fathers--not mothers--and charges are almost never filed.
Dad is identified as LARRY BASS.
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Father-Accidentally-Shoots-Kills-Baby-198469551.html
Father Accidentally Shoots, Kills Baby
By John Newland, NBC News March 15, 2013Updated Mar 15, 2013 at 9:24 AM PDT
A 10-month-old boy was shot and killed by his father Thursday in an apparent accident at a Nashville, Tenn., hotel, local media reported.
Two police detectives from the Hermitage Precinct were close to the hotel when the call went out and made it to the scene within about three minutes but were unable to resuscitate the child, NBC affiliate WSMV-TV Channel 4 reported.
The child's mother Jacquelin Bass, 28, and the couple's other sons, aged 3 and 2, were in the room when the gun went off, the station said.
The baby was shot once in the chest as his father, Larry Bass, 30, handled the semi-automatic handgun, the Nashville Tennessean reported.
NBC News was unable to independently confirm the accounts early Friday.
Both news outlets reported that the family, from Texas, was at the Extended Stay America hotel near Nashville International Airport when the incident happened. Larry Bass was in town to work on construction of the Music City Center, a 1.2-million-square foot convention center
Dad is identified as LARRY BASS.
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Father-Accidentally-Shoots-Kills-Baby-198469551.html
Father Accidentally Shoots, Kills Baby
By John Newland, NBC News March 15, 2013Updated Mar 15, 2013 at 9:24 AM PDT
A 10-month-old boy was shot and killed by his father Thursday in an apparent accident at a Nashville, Tenn., hotel, local media reported.
Two police detectives from the Hermitage Precinct were close to the hotel when the call went out and made it to the scene within about three minutes but were unable to resuscitate the child, NBC affiliate WSMV-TV Channel 4 reported.
The child's mother Jacquelin Bass, 28, and the couple's other sons, aged 3 and 2, were in the room when the gun went off, the station said.
The baby was shot once in the chest as his father, Larry Bass, 30, handled the semi-automatic handgun, the Nashville Tennessean reported.
NBC News was unable to independently confirm the accounts early Friday.
Both news outlets reported that the family, from Texas, was at the Extended Stay America hotel near Nashville International Airport when the incident happened. Larry Bass was in town to work on construction of the Music City Center, a 1.2-million-square foot convention center
Categories: crime
Dad convicted of "disappearing" his 4-month-old daughter files appeal (Mason County, Michigan)
We've followed this case since it broke, and I can hardly believe this guy has the freaking nerve to show his face in public again.
In reality, he got off easy. The evidence very strongly suggests that he abducted AND KILLED this baby.
But entitled abusers never take responsbility for their own actions.
Dad is identified as SEAN PHILLIPS.
http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?list=294709&id=872562
Baby Kate's father challenging conviction
by Anne Cook
Posted: 43 mins ago
Sean Phillips was convicted of unlawfully imprisoning his four-month-old daughter Katherine.
MASON CO. -- The father of missing baby Katherine Phillips - or "Baby Kate" as she became known - is challenging his conviction of unlawfully imprisoning his daughter.
Sean Phillips, who was convicted of the unlawful imprisonment of his 4-month-old daughter Katherine, has filed an appeal with the Michigan Appeals Court.
According to his attorney, Valerie Newman, the appeal was filed on February 14. They are citing three reasons for appeal:
The state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Kate was "restrained."
Mason County Judge Richard Cooper erred in instructing the jury that the secret confinement could be from either Kate's mother, Ariel Courtland, or from the State of Michigan.
The judge departed from sentencing recommendations for reasons that were not articulated as substantial or compelling.
Newman says it could take up to nine months for the decision to be rendered.
A jury found Phillips guilty of the unlawful imprisonment of his daughter in April of 2012. He was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison.
Baby Kate went missing in June of 2011, when her mother, Ariel Courtland reported her as missing. Courtland testified that Phillips allegedly drove off with the child and that was the last time she saw her.
A letter, apparently written by Sean Phillips in prison, details what happened the day Baby Kate disappeared.
Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola told 7&4 News in September that the letter was given to investigative officers by a family member of Baby Kate.
In reality, he got off easy. The evidence very strongly suggests that he abducted AND KILLED this baby.
But entitled abusers never take responsbility for their own actions.
Dad is identified as SEAN PHILLIPS.
http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?list=294709&id=872562
Baby Kate's father challenging conviction
by Anne Cook
Posted: 43 mins ago
Sean Phillips was convicted of unlawfully imprisoning his four-month-old daughter Katherine.
MASON CO. -- The father of missing baby Katherine Phillips - or "Baby Kate" as she became known - is challenging his conviction of unlawfully imprisoning his daughter.
Sean Phillips, who was convicted of the unlawful imprisonment of his 4-month-old daughter Katherine, has filed an appeal with the Michigan Appeals Court.
According to his attorney, Valerie Newman, the appeal was filed on February 14. They are citing three reasons for appeal:
The state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Kate was "restrained."
Mason County Judge Richard Cooper erred in instructing the jury that the secret confinement could be from either Kate's mother, Ariel Courtland, or from the State of Michigan.
The judge departed from sentencing recommendations for reasons that were not articulated as substantial or compelling.
Newman says it could take up to nine months for the decision to be rendered.
A jury found Phillips guilty of the unlawful imprisonment of his daughter in April of 2012. He was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison.
Baby Kate went missing in June of 2011, when her mother, Ariel Courtland reported her as missing. Courtland testified that Phillips allegedly drove off with the child and that was the last time she saw her.
A letter, apparently written by Sean Phillips in prison, details what happened the day Baby Kate disappeared.
Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola told 7&4 News in September that the letter was given to investigative officers by a family member of Baby Kate.
Categories: crime
Dad charged with 1st-degree murder in deaths of two babies (Springdale, Arkansas)
Dad is identified as TRAVIS FOX.
http://news.yahoo.com/arkansas-father-arrested-deaths-2-infants-232341187.html#.UUNP8248ZYg.facebook
Arkansas father arrested in deaths of 2 infants
Associated Press – 17 hrs ago
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas man accused of fatally shaking two of his infant children in separate angry outbursts was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder.
A 7-month-old baby was brought Wednesday to Northwest Medical Center, where doctors found the boy to have suspicious injuries.
Under questioning, the baby's father, Travis Fox, 24, of Springdale, told investigators "that he violently shook the child for an extended amount of time because the child was 'fussing,'''police said in a news release.
"He demonstrated the shake and it was violent," the release said.
Authorities said Fox acknowledged that he drank five beers before shaking the baby.
While the baby's death was being investigated, Springdale officers learned that Fox was under investigation for the Sept. 4, 2011, death of another of his children, a 6-month-old boy.
A Washington County sheriff's detective interviewed Fox about the baby's death in 2011.
"Mr. Fox admitted that he shook his 6-month-old son for 30-45 seconds because he was 'fussing,'" according to a prosecutor's report. "Mr. Fox said he was angered and tired because he was up for two days without sleep."
The report says Fox told the investigator that he admitted drinking tequila the day of the first death and that he'd tossed the child on a chair.
"Mr. Fox admitted he needs help for his anger," the report said.
It was unclear Thursday whether Fox had an attorney. He was being held without bond at the Washington County Jail.
http://news.yahoo.com/arkansas-father-arrested-deaths-2-infants-232341187.html#.UUNP8248ZYg.facebook
Arkansas father arrested in deaths of 2 infants
Associated Press – 17 hrs ago
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas man accused of fatally shaking two of his infant children in separate angry outbursts was charged Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder.
A 7-month-old baby was brought Wednesday to Northwest Medical Center, where doctors found the boy to have suspicious injuries.
Under questioning, the baby's father, Travis Fox, 24, of Springdale, told investigators "that he violently shook the child for an extended amount of time because the child was 'fussing,'''police said in a news release.
"He demonstrated the shake and it was violent," the release said.
Authorities said Fox acknowledged that he drank five beers before shaking the baby.
While the baby's death was being investigated, Springdale officers learned that Fox was under investigation for the Sept. 4, 2011, death of another of his children, a 6-month-old boy.
A Washington County sheriff's detective interviewed Fox about the baby's death in 2011.
"Mr. Fox admitted that he shook his 6-month-old son for 30-45 seconds because he was 'fussing,'" according to a prosecutor's report. "Mr. Fox said he was angered and tired because he was up for two days without sleep."
The report says Fox told the investigator that he admitted drinking tequila the day of the first death and that he'd tossed the child on a chair.
"Mr. Fox admitted he needs help for his anger," the report said.
It was unclear Thursday whether Fox had an attorney. He was being held without bond at the Washington County Jail.
Categories: crime
Custodial dad charged in murder of 15-month-old son (Sampson County, North Carolina)
Lots of vague euphemisms here.
We are told that the accused killer dad had a "rocky marriage" with the mother. This is often code for "high conflict marriage" which is often code for a violent and abusive husband.
Then there's that throwaway line about the baby being "left" with the killer daddy. "Left" behind like your cell phone on the kitchen counter?
I don't think so.
It is not uncommon in the slightest for abusive fathers to be control freaks over their partners and spouses--and insisting on "ownership" of the mother's baby is one way to demonstrate that you be da man and to hurt the mom. Wanting to be a parent or luuuuv is NOT the motivation for these guys. That's why the children are often abused or killed by these fathers.
Notice that this account discretly passes over any possible involvement by lawyers or family courts in this "left" baby.
And notice that this guy has every sign of being a pathological liar. Also typical behavior for abusers.
The custodial dad is identified as MATTHEW THEURER.
http://fox59.com/2013/03/14/air-force-investigators-to-interview-local-family-members-of-airman-charged-in-sons-murder/#axzz2NI05qQ5k
Air Force investigators to interview local family members of airman charged in son’s murder
•Indiana airman charged in infant son’s murder
Air Force investigators will be turning their attention to the family and friends of the Indiana airman accused of killing his 15-month old son, to learn more about what may have led to the tragedy.
Matthew Theurer of Portland, Ind., was arrested after the body of his baby, Matthew, was discovered in a bag on the side of a highway about 100 miles away from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina.
Theurer, senior airman at the military base, is charged with voluntary manslaughter, negligent homicide and murder.
An Air Force spokesperson said investigators would soon be in touch with loved ones here in Indiana to learn more about the suspect.
“They will be in touch with family in Indiana and others who know him,” said Linda Card from the Air Force, Office of Special Investigations.
“Everybody’s basically praying for them,” said neighbor Justin Winters. “It leaves everybody speechless.”
Others who knew Theurer are shocked by the allegations.
“He was just very quiet. Very just.. kind of awkward,” said one Air Force wife living at the same base. She said she knew Theurer and his family through spending time with them on the base.
She recalled Theurer and his estranged wife, Amy, had a rocky marriage and said they were separated. She said his wife had moved back to Indiana, had gotten engaged and was pregnant.
The baby was left in Theurer’s care. The woman said Theurer was telling people on the base that his son was in Indiana.
“I would never in a million years thought that he would do that to his own child,” she said.
Authorities said Theurer tried to commit suicide after he claimed he found his son dead in a crib and dumped his body.
“You just pray for people like that,” said Portland resident Alice Lehman. “Your heart breaks for them, but there’s nothing you can do and it’s just a definite shock.”
Theurer is being held in Sampson County Pre-Confinement Facility.
We are told that the accused killer dad had a "rocky marriage" with the mother. This is often code for "high conflict marriage" which is often code for a violent and abusive husband.
Then there's that throwaway line about the baby being "left" with the killer daddy. "Left" behind like your cell phone on the kitchen counter?
I don't think so.
It is not uncommon in the slightest for abusive fathers to be control freaks over their partners and spouses--and insisting on "ownership" of the mother's baby is one way to demonstrate that you be da man and to hurt the mom. Wanting to be a parent or luuuuv is NOT the motivation for these guys. That's why the children are often abused or killed by these fathers.
Notice that this account discretly passes over any possible involvement by lawyers or family courts in this "left" baby.
And notice that this guy has every sign of being a pathological liar. Also typical behavior for abusers.
The custodial dad is identified as MATTHEW THEURER.
http://fox59.com/2013/03/14/air-force-investigators-to-interview-local-family-members-of-airman-charged-in-sons-murder/#axzz2NI05qQ5k
Air Force investigators to interview local family members of airman charged in son’s murder
•Indiana airman charged in infant son’s murder
Air Force investigators will be turning their attention to the family and friends of the Indiana airman accused of killing his 15-month old son, to learn more about what may have led to the tragedy.
Matthew Theurer of Portland, Ind., was arrested after the body of his baby, Matthew, was discovered in a bag on the side of a highway about 100 miles away from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina.
Theurer, senior airman at the military base, is charged with voluntary manslaughter, negligent homicide and murder.
An Air Force spokesperson said investigators would soon be in touch with loved ones here in Indiana to learn more about the suspect.
“They will be in touch with family in Indiana and others who know him,” said Linda Card from the Air Force, Office of Special Investigations.
“Everybody’s basically praying for them,” said neighbor Justin Winters. “It leaves everybody speechless.”
Others who knew Theurer are shocked by the allegations.
“He was just very quiet. Very just.. kind of awkward,” said one Air Force wife living at the same base. She said she knew Theurer and his family through spending time with them on the base.
She recalled Theurer and his estranged wife, Amy, had a rocky marriage and said they were separated. She said his wife had moved back to Indiana, had gotten engaged and was pregnant.
The baby was left in Theurer’s care. The woman said Theurer was telling people on the base that his son was in Indiana.
“I would never in a million years thought that he would do that to his own child,” she said.
Authorities said Theurer tried to commit suicide after he claimed he found his son dead in a crib and dumped his body.
“You just pray for people like that,” said Portland resident Alice Lehman. “Your heart breaks for them, but there’s nothing you can do and it’s just a definite shock.”
Theurer is being held in Sampson County Pre-Confinement Facility.
Categories: crime
Pages
Lastest News
Active forum topics
- Stockholm riots challenge image of happy, generous state
- Training push fails to halt military sexual assault crisis
- O.J. Simpson testifies in Vegas courtroom for new trial
- Oscar Pistorius: The Shooting Star and The Model
- Racketeering, Smuggling, Sex with Guards: 25 Indicted in Massive Baltimore Prison Scandal
Innocence Cases
User login
Featured Articles
China Wholesale at DHgate.com
Print Edition (.pdf)
Crime Books of Note
Poll
Syndicate
