TX-Father kills 2yr old daughter by punching her in the chest.

[Tight_rope]

Here in Houston today a father kills his 2 year old daughter after punching her in the chest several times because she pinched him. In addition, he had a 5 year old and a 1 year old. The one year old had severe bruises on the butt. He told the police he had beat the baby with a belt. The 5 year old also had bruises. I'm so sickened by this. Why do people do this to children.

[Carolab]

1. Shit.

That's horrifying. I don't care what this maniac was going through to send him off. There is NO legitimate excuse for harming, let alone killing, a child. EVER.

[zmdem]

2. Good argument for the death penalty

Fortunately TX isn't shy about that.

[Seldona]

3. Only one good thing about this.

He did it in Texas.

They love to fry people down there.

In this case, I could not agree more.

[Jack_DeLeon]

4. Execute the fucker...

[indigobusiness]

5. God almighty damn.

This is one sick fucking society.

[President Jesus]

6. does he have Jesus in his heart?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

17. yeah...your motives are clear

no mention of religion in the post at all...typical

theProdigal

[QC]

21. Yeah, for the religion and region bigots, a dead baby is just

grist for the mill. Unfortunate, of course, but increasingly typical of the level of discourse here.

[vpigrad]

7. Because Jebus told them to!

Seriously, that was the reply a friend gave to me when I questioned his beating of his children. He not only hit them on the butt. He used weapons like a belt and a table leg that had fallen off of his coffee table!

He claimed that because children were treated that way in the bible that he not only had the right to, but the duty to hit his children. He used the word duty! I live in GA now, and the local social services doesn't give a damn. I called them several times about this guy. It's depressing to think that his kids are probably going to grow-up the same way and beat their children.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

18. post 17 applies to you, too n/t

[Misunderestimator]

22. Though I see the intentional flameworthiness of their posts...

My father used the "spare the rod..." line from the bible innumerable times. He beat the religion he taught me out of me, that's for sure. These people DO exist.

[tx_dem41]

30. But, in the original post...let me check....hold on...

nope...no mention of religion. Knees do jerk quickly around here.

[Misunderestimator]

36. Hmm... let me check...hold on... I wasn't responding to the original post.

Check the one I responded to instead.

[tx_dem41]

39. Touche.....

I should have responded to the one he was responding to. Sorry.

[Misunderestimator]

40. No harm, no foul.

:hi:

[FizzFuzz]

51. And I am sick of the reverse sentiment taking over around here

That person just relayed an anecdote in which the abuser's twisted reasoning specifically relies on the Jesus and the Bible for it's inspiration.

And you are saying that by saying that by including that part of the story, the poster is a bigot? Are we to censor information if it names any demographic that a perpetrator belongs to? A wife beater is not to be specifically called "male"? A nut who states that Jesus made him beat his kids--that part of the story is to be gagged?
A woman singing Christian hymns after cutting off her infants arms--we ought not to mention that part of the report, because it's politically incorrect?

[proud patriot]

35. No Jesus told us to "become like the child"

:hi: you should tell your friend that

[RPM]

80. become the child?

Cool! Does that mean I get to punch this ass in the chest until he dies.

I am sure it doesnt - but i sure wish it did.

[TaleWgnDg]

8. Drugs, alcohol, and/or mental illness . . . sad, but true . . .

However, none of the above, typically, absolves them of criminal responsibility in committing the crime. I've been a children's advocate in these cases for too many years. I never cease to be taken aback by it.

[troubleinwinter]

9. Like I don't have this kinda thing on my own local news? Why post it?

[Boosterman]

29. Its called demonizing your opponents

I notice that a lot of stories get posted about "red states". Not sure whether that was the OPs intent but there are a few who do it.

[Straight Shooter]

10. I wonder if he's "pro-life" and voted for bush

Beating a baby with a belt, killing a 2-year-old with a punch to the chest, a 5-year-old with bruises.

In cases like this, I'm not apologetic at all about believing in the death penalty. Get that madman out of the gene pool permanently, I don't care what it takes.

Hell, I'll do it myself. Just show me a pic of his dead daughter, and I'll have no qualms whatsoever.

:grr:

[Erika]

11. Bush sets the tone for the country

and he chose violence as his path. When people see violence as an acceptable response to "rebellion" they follow it. Bushco did. That being said my heart cries out for those kids.

[SammyWinstonJack]

49. I agree n/t

[crimson333]

59. This just in

after my time at DHR...children have been getting beaten and killed no matter who the President was.

[REP]

12. Parenting Makes You A Better Person

Oh ... maybe not.

[ET Awful]

13. Is it just me, or do we seem to hear stories like this out of Texas

more often that stories like this from other states?

Or do the incidents from Texas just get more publicity?

[DS1]

14. Bible said to

[ProdigalJunkMail]

19. post 17 applies to you, too n/t

[DS1]

20. I have to share?

:cry:

[Misunderestimator]

23. :)

[CatBoreal]

54. Out of context!

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. 8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

That's a song of lament and revenge, not a proscription for child rearing.

Admitedly that doesn't mean some whacko couldn't take it as such, but that is not it's purpose.

Ironic also that it's talking about Babylonian 'little ones'.

[gjb]

61. Intentionally out of context !!!!! Also disingenuous.

[Cheswick2.0]

66. really? Where was the reference to this guys religion?

I missed it in the story.

[Selatius]

15. Life in prison, not the death penalty

Jesus taught forgiveness, but he didn't say to forget. Sure, frying the dumbass may feel good, but you should realize that killing him won't bring back that dead child. It's just another dead person in a sad story. If anything, this should be used as an example justifying life in prison, not the death penalty. Death is too quick a release. He should be made to spend time thinking about what he did, to atone for his wrong.

[shesemsmom]

16. Some days it seems the whole world is nut

other days just parts of it. People like him should be locked up and the key thrown away:mad: :scared: :nuke:

[bleedingheart]

24. Because the ability to have children doesn't guarantee the capacity to

raise them...

[DoNotRefill]

25. I hope he spends the rest of his life....

getting ass-raped in prison. Death is too good for him.

My baby girl is 5 months old. She's an absolute angel. And if anybody tried to harm her, it'd get very messy, very quickly.

[Tight_rope]

26. Kick!

[ComerPerro]

27. Red State Family Values

I am fucking sick of it.

Divorce. Incest. Spousal Abuse. Child Abuse. Teen Pregnancy.

Its sickening. And the highest rates occur in red states.

[QC]

33. Blue State Family Values

A Chicago teen accused of suffocating her baby girl because the child would not stop crying was ordered held in lieu of $750,000 bail Tuesday by a Cook County judge.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0412080232dec08,1,2988118.story?coll=chi-newslocalchicago-hed

[ComerPerro]

34. Exactly my point

Perhaps this is because I live in Kansas, but every time something happens in a Blue area Democrats are automatically blamed. Even if a known conservative or Republican is busted for fraud, the people in the media here chalk it up to liberalism.

Fuck them, it works both ways.

[takebackthewh]

85. Get a grip.

Look at the names in the story. They obviously belong to black people.

Female names that end in "a" and "sha" are extremely common among blacks; much less so among whites.

90 percent of blacks are Democrats.

Yet you're trying to hang this on "red states"? Republicans?

Nonsense. I live in Chicago, a "blue" city. Shit like this happens all the time here too.

This has nothing to do with politics. It has everything to do with ignorance. Get a grip.

-------------

HOUSTON -- A man accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter has been charged with capital murder, Local 2 reported.

Melvin Deqwan Hughes Jr. was arrested at his Timber Run apartment in northeast Harris County Thursday after the girl's mother, Latasha Moore, 25, told police he beat her daughter, Taemesha Mason Moore, to death.

Detectives also said Hughes beat the victim's 1-year-old sister, Ameka Moore, within the past several days.

EOM

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. Poor babies! I would love to take in some kids who need a good home but

can barely afford the two I have now.

------------------------------------------------------
Join the NEW Boston Tea Party!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/index.htm#shopping

[samtob]

45. I'm with you....

I have always thought if I won the lottery, I would end up single again since I would start adopting little ones from abusive homes, AND start a no kill animal sanctuary. Single again because while my husband is an awesome man, he does want to have all the kids raised and travel before we get too old.

[AnIndependentTexan]

31. It is those Moral Values they hold that make them do it

[Maestro]

32. WTF is wrong with ingrates like this?

This guy needs forced sterilization. I hope CPS takes the children away asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cheswick2.0]

37. because someone did it to him

and he never go the counseling he needs to break the cycle. Hopefully someone will get his kids therapy.

[Granola]

53. because someone did it to him?????

and he never go the counseling he needs to break the cycle. Hopefully someone will get his kids therapy.

I was beaten growing up, I DO NOT do this to my children ESPECIALLY because I was. You have no clue what you are talking about, stop it!!!!

[NickB79]

56. It can go either way, depending on the abuse and the child

My father had to see my grandfather abuse and beat my grandmother, and was himself abused as a child. He grew up to be just like my grandfather, a two-faced, heartless bastard of a father and husband. Consequently, I too had to go through much abuse because of him. However, I grew up with the sole purpose of living my life the exact opposite of his, and have succeeded in that goal. I can't explain what causes it, but there is a cycle in some families of perpetual abuse. Sometimes it is broken naturally, sometimes it needs help to break, but it does exist.

[Cheswick2.0]

63. LOL

You may not hit, but you sure are good at trying to bully on the computer. Maybe you should think about that.

PS... I don't take commands from bullies.

[Misunderestimator]

70. And if you don't think that you broke a cycle... you would be wrong...

My father continued a cycle with his children because of his parents' abuse, and one of my brothers continued the cycle as well, to finally break it when his boys were teenagers. I don't have kids, but I can tell you that if I had not come to terms with the abuse I suffered as a kid, I would be very likely to repeat it.

I, like you, would never hurt anyone in part BECAUSE of the abuse. That doesn't mean that that is typical behavior, unfortunately. The poster you responded to does have a clue, and you would too if you read about this, instead of reacting emotionally. You'll find that the majority of abusing adults were abused as children themselves.

[Amaya]

58. "because someone did it to him"

That's no excuse! Put this fucker in prison and the rest will take care of itself. Inmates don't care much for child murders.

[Cheswick2.0]

64. Did I say it was AN EXCUSE

WTF is wrong people around here?

I gave an EXPLAINATION, NOT AN EXCUSE. If you don't know the difference get a fucking dictionary.

[malmapus]

38. My gut reaction was that he should be punched in the chest till he expires

I'm at a loss for words

[superconnected]

41. Where was the mother?

They should both be held responsible.

[Sparkle]

42. Here is the link:

http://www.click2houston.com/news/3987447/detail.html

Shit like this really burns me up. That poor child! I think they should arrest the mother too, she knew he was a danger to those kids. Dammit!

[meow2u3]

50. I don't think they should lock up the mother

She's probably an abuse victim, too. Sounds to me as if this vermin has been terrorizing the entire family--wife and kids!

It isn't fair to punish someone who was probably powerless to stop such brutality.

[barb162]

43. "Why do people do this to children"

Because we allow it, because we consider it a right for anyone to have as many children as they want whether they are capable of even taking care of themselves.

Where's the mother in all this? When one parent is an abuser, it is the responsibility of the other parent to stop it or get the kids the hell away from the abuser. Severe bruises on the one year old....

[tx_dem41]

44. How would you not allow it? n/t

[barb162]

46. mandatory parenting classes and things like that before people

have kids. Make them change a diaper, make them sit there and calm a crying baby, etc.

How would you do it

[tx_dem41]

71. Not through MANDATORY classes.

I believe that people have an inalienable right to bear children without a license (or certificate) from the Government.

I would do it by increasing the War on Poverty. I would do it by investing in the education of all people. I would do it by making sure that all children had access to good health care. I think that's what the Democratic Party stands for.

[FizzFuzz]

68. recent case here of a couple who were homeless junkies with 7 kids

can't remember all the details but it ended up in court after investigations by child protective services or something, and the judge ordered the woman to stop having children.

Great uproar ensued. Our piece of crap local paper which regularly prints stories on evangelicals while ignoring actual news, featured the "father"s protestations that God tells us to be fruitful and ....blah blah blah. There was much self-righteous argumentation that "the judge had no right!!!!!!"

Damn you activist judges.

oh, on edit, the reason I linked to you barb was that I agree, I don't think having kids is a "god given" right that anyone no matter how unsuited, may excersize unquestioned. I don't like the social expectation that everyone should have kids, either.

[barb162]

69. As an intentionally child-free person, I agree. And I wish some

people would just stop breeding already, like the people you mention above. The planet just doesn't have enough resources or room for all these people. I have never understood the need or desire to spread one's genes around. A sociology friend of mine mentioned to me that about 60% of all people he has met should not have kids; either they are lousy parents, can't afford them, are so screwed up themselves they should never pass those genes and behavior on,etc. Yes, people don't have the right IMHO and I really dislike the notion that people should have kids

[barb162]

72. check another DU thread on a moron with 9 kids in this story

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6679165

[FizzFuzz]

75. oy vey

its infuriating. And the Mrs is missing along with the kids, is pregnant with #10, and all the births have been in the couple's van. Great. I'm glad they're so godly. What horrors would society have to put up with if they were heathens?

Love this quote:
"He thanked his attorney and the prosecutor, who last week offered Baxter a plea deal that would've given the father of nine credit for the three months spent in custody and released him from jail. He declined."

Of course he declined early release--he needs a break from all those kids. Let mom deal with 'em all, by herself. For 3 years.

Boy oh boy.

on edit:maybe bibles need to come with disclaimers: ATTENTION: Don't try this at home!! Children and unevolved adults may need supervision.

[FizzFuzz]

74. I am so with you on this. Overpopulation is at the root of so many

threats we face on this planet. Yet people continue to rationalize giving in to romanticized notions of babies, cheering for women who tie themselves down with 4, 5, 6 or more kids. White women, anyway....

I am reminded of every National Geographic article or special that always laments the environmental destruction and threat of extinction faced by the hapitat/species in question. Yet they never never say the most taboo phrase of all "people need to limit family size".

I want to see social/economic rewards to people having zero children or who adopt, lesser rewards for those who stop at one. But this culture continues to sentimentally glorify childbirth and motherhood. Ohh I could go on a long rant but I won't.

[barb162]

77. no need; I would probably be giving the same rant about

overpopulation and its horrible consequences for this planet.

Agree with all your points. By the way just look at the US Southwest and the continuing drought and all those people moving there. Where is the water coming from as they drain Lake Mead? And we are relatively unpopulated compared to some other countries.

SO many people across the globe are still having very large families. The fundies in this country seem to be literally taking the "go forth and multiply" line very, ahem, literally / fundamentally.

[FizzFuzz]

78. *sigh* sometimes I just hate being a member of this species.

that sounds horrible, but I hope you know what I mean. We humans are so oriented to immediate gratification and short term gains.

It just kills me to be able to see the obvious, while so so so many other people don't have the slightest clue.

it's good to have compadres here. :hug:

[barb162]

82. friend, just added you to buddy list!

When we get done with overpopulating and destroying many species with ourselves and global warming, cutting forests etc., then we will probably die out as a species. I pity the other species we will take with us. I plant trees and diverse other plants on my property for the local wildlife, for food and shelter. Also feed the birds to keep the wildlife around as much as possible. My creepy neighbors don't like it, even though my county puts out brochures promoting this.

[FizzFuzz]

86. I sometimes cry about what we're doing to the planet.

I know horrible things are happening to people, but its the environment and animals that get me crying. Sometimes I'll be driving and it just hits me.

I like your wildlife preserve idea--I can't believe the neighbors have a complaint about that!!! Unbelievable.

When we lived in a little townhouse, we landscaped the postage stamp yard into a wildlife preserve!! Put in some plants that produce berries that birds like, like two grapevines climbing on the fence, a service berry, and a crabapple. And climbing roses which the bees liked, and a little pond with rock waterfall. Lavender. And lots of interesting little plants amongst the rocks that we scavenged from construction sites. Gee it was really cool. But then we moved out to the country more recently, where we have some land. So that's our nature preserve, but I don't know what to do with a large area, in terms of plantings, that is! Maybe when Mr Fuzz is less busy, we can come up with some ideas. Like create little patches, that seems like a good idea.

[SammyWinstonJack]

47. What the hell is it with Texas?

Don't like your kids? Drown them, cut their limbs off or punch them in the chest. Jesus!

[Paladin]

60. Guess It's Time For My Standard Invitation

Those of you who think this kind of grotesque behavior is somehow a Texas trait can just go fuck yourselves. Vigorously.

[SammyWinstonJack]

62. Really?

Well thanks for that thoughful reply. Let's see, a Texas mom saws off her infant daughter's arms and a Texas mom drowns her kids in a bathtub and now this? While I am sure this isn't just a Texas trait but it happens frequently here apparently. Also I don't think I implied it was only a Texas trait.

[Paladin]

84. The Invitation Stands

When you make a statement like "What the hell is it with Texas?" you're dealing in the same kind of stereotyping and snap judgment that leads others to categorize the entire population of Texas---even the several hundred thousand of us who are loyal Democrats---as a bunch of brain-dead, gun-toting, right-wing, death penalty junkies. I see such sentiments way too often here at DU, where I would hope people would know better. I'm no happier with the current occupant of the White House than you are. Just keep in mind that a lot of us don't consider him to be a real Texan.

[barb162]

73. check out this moron from Vancouver WA area

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6679165

[oldcoot]

83. Child Protective Services in Texas

The problem with Texas is not that Texas has more evil people than other states but that the state of Texas does not do enough to protect children. According to a story on "All Things Considered" (NPR), the state's Child Protective Services is underfunded and the social workers are often working extremely large case loads. Although I am sure other states have similar problems, the underfunding issue is especially severe in Texas because Texas rated 48 out of 50 states for spending money on protecting children from abuse.

Not surprisingly, Child Protective Services in Texas has a hard time attracting and keeping social workers. Social workers in Texas work long hours (up to 70 hours a week) and make very little money(approximately $30,000 a year). One of the social workers described her work week and the things she had to sacrifice in order to do her job.

The Republican-dominated legislature as well as the governor claim they want to fix the problem but it is unlikely that they will support providing Child Protective Services with sufficient funding because that might involve raising taxes. The state apparently even canceled a program to prevent child abuse.

To learn more about the problem in Texas, see http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4222497 and http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4222499 for more information.

[m berst]

48. a child is murdered...

... and people are using that as an opportunity to bash the South, bash religion, call for retribution, and express support for the death penalty.

Liberals are doing that. Here. Today.

[Granola]

52. Have you lost your minds??

It isn't fair to punish someone who was probably powerless to stop such brutality.

And how exactly was she powerless to stop it? This is not a political issue, this is not a blue state/red state issue, this is an incredibly sad story of a monster killing his own little girl.

[m berst]

55. welcome

You are quoting StopThePendulum here, not me. Probably you clicked reply on the last post in the thread, which makes it a reply to me. I made that mistake a few times when I first joined.

Welcome to DU Granola. I wonder if you could explain your view on this a little more. Thanks.

[Cheswick2.0]

65. I agree

[m berst]

67. hi Cheswick

Glad to see that. I know we were on the opposite side of an issue a little while back. I don't like to disagree with one of my favorite people here. :)

[Democracy Died 2004]

57. Why did this happen? I will tell you why

We are taught that if someone upsets you, bomb his country. If they oppose you bomb them. We are shown over and over again that if anything is causing you grief it's ok to kill, punch,bomb,execute or any other method to harm our fellow man.
This frigging country is a piece of shit and every time something like this happens a part of Americas soul dies with it. I personally am praying for the biggest, goddamn asteroid to hit this shit hole and end it for us.

[grilled onions]

76. Why do these stories never make headlines?

It seems the fundies are more concerned over the fact that some don't have kids then those who have kids are victime of everything from neglect to abuse. Abuse and abortion both start with A but only one of them gets "fundemental attention"!

[ikojo]

79. Because their pastor probably told them that if they don't

break the will of the child (spare the rod) and raise them up in the fear of the LORD then that child will fall to SATAN...


Real manly of him to kick a kid's butt, huh? Oohhh big man that guy.

I wonder how this guy would fare with SKITTLES?

[QC]

81. Got any evidence for that?

Or did you just make it up on the spot?