How Could You? Hall of Shame-Russell Chapman case-Child Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Locust Grove, Georgia, Foster Father Joseph Charles Todd Dunn,39, was “charged with felony murder, and cruelty to children in the first degree” in the death of  infant Russell Chapman in his care on September 27, 2010.

“Dunn is suspected in the death of 20-month-old Russell Chapman, one of two foster children in Dunn’s home on Battersea Place in Locust Grove.
Henry Police Sgt. Rene Swanson said Dunn is charged with felony murder, because of the allegation of child cruelty.
The warrant states that Dunn caused Chapman’s death by “excessively shaking” the child, causing several internal injuries to the baby’s brain, eyes, and interior skull.
[The] defendant maliciously caused Russell Chapman … excessive physical and mental pain by … shaking said child, causing a brain shift, brain swelling, and hemorrhaging in the victim’s eye sockets,” the warrant says.
The investigation into the matter began Sept. 27, according to Swanson. She said police were notified that the infant arrived at the hospital with “traumatic injuries.”
“The child had been living in Locust Grove, in his ‘foster to adopt’ home since June … with his 3-year-old sibling,” Swanson said.
She added that the infant’s older sibling was removed from the home the day Russell Chapman was brought to Egleston Children’s Hospital.
The 20-month-old died of his injuries at Egleston Children’s Hospital on Oct. 3,” Swanson said. “Medical findings revealed that the child’s death was the result of abusive trauma. On [Monday], Detective Brian Chevres secured a warrant for … Dunn, the foster father.”
Swanson said Dunn, who worked previously as a contractor, was unemployed at the time of his arrest.
Dunn was arrested onday, and taken to the Henry County Jail. He was represented in court Monday by defense attorney, Tim Shepherd, according to court records. Shepherd could not be reached for comment, regarding his client’s charges.
Judge Robert Godwin reset a preliminary hearing for Dec. 7, according to court records. If a judge finds probable cause to justify Dunn’s arrest, bond in the case will be set in Superior Court.”
Man charged in foster child’s death[Henry Herald 11/16/10 by Jason A. Smith]

“A Locust Grove foster parent indicted last month in the 2010 shaken baby death of a child in his care has killed himself inside a Canadian prison, said authorities.

Joseph Charles Todd Dunn, 43, was indicted Sept. 12 in the death of Russell Chapman. Chapman, 20-months-old, was living on Battersea Place under Dunn’s care when he died Sept. 27, 2010. A state medical examiner ruled the baby’s death a homicide as the result of sustained trauma to his brain.

Dunn was arrested in connection with the child’s death in November 2010. However, a grand jury declined to indict Dunn at that time.

Henry County police Lt. Joey Smith said the case was re-opened by the Crimes against Children Unit and presented to a different grand jury Sept. 12. That panel indicted Dunn for murder.

With the indictment in hand, detectives from the Henry County Police Department and U.S. Marshall’s Office began a search for Dunn. They discovered he had tried to leave the country and enter Canada near the New York border after the indictment was returned against him.

Canadian border authorities detained Dunn in Niagara, where he was held pending an extradition decision. Dunn tried to claim asylum in Canada but the pending criminal charges in the United States complicated his request, said officials.

Following a Sept. 22 hearing, the Immigration and Refugee Board ordered him to remain behind bars because he posed a flight risk, said officials.

Niagara Regional Police said Dunn returned to his prison cell and he suffered a “serious injury” later that same day, and died Sept. 27 — the fourth anniversary of when Russell Chapman died.

Unconfirmed sources said Dunn used a bed sheet to hang himself from a shower.“

Foster dad indicted in baby’s death flees to Canada, kills self in jail[Henry Herald  10/09/14 by  Kathy Jefcoats]

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