How Could You? Hall of Shame-Lucas Birchim case-Child Death UPDATED

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 Gastonia, North Carolina, adoptive father and college professor Van Erick Custodio “has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse for allegedly abusing a baby boy he adopted just weeks ago, leaving the newborn with a fractured skull, broken rib, and other injuries.

Gaston County Bureau Reporter Ken Lemon was in court Thursday afternoon, where Van Erick Custodio, 42, faced a judge on the upgraded charge. The charges against Custodio were upgraded after the baby died from the injuries he sustained from the alleged abuse, according to investigators. He was given no bond.”

Man accused of child abuse now charged with murder after adopted newborn son dies
[WSOCTV 4/15/22 by Ken Lemmon]

“Upon further investigation, detectives determined that newborn Lucas Birchim’s cardiac arrest stemmed from physical abuse injuries allegedly caused by Custodio, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Belmont Abbey College.

The baby boy succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday [April 13, 2022], per a department news release.”

“During the investigation, friends told police that Custodio allegedly confessed he threw the newborn on the couch and “squeezed the child, hearing a pop in the rib area.” Additionally, “he jerked the legs of the child back and felt a pop in the child’s legs” while changing the baby’s diaper, the station reported.

While Custodio was looking to expand his family last April, he uploaded a YouTube video titled “Help the Custodios Adopt,” in which he and his wife made a public plea for help adopting another child.

In the video — which also featured his adopted daughter — Custodio said it would take a “miracle” to be able to adopt once more.

“If you happen to know anyone that is in a crisis pregnancy that would like to offer their child generously up for adoption, as a sibling for our daughter… that would be awesome,” he said.

The family also asked the public for help in raising money.

Custodio added, “If you happen to be hearing a call to help us fund our next adoption, we’d be gratefully honored and blessed.””

“Since his arrest, PEOPLE confirmed that UNC Charlotte has placed Custodio on administrative leave.

“UNC Charlotte hired Van Erick Custodio on a limited, temporary contract to teach one class this semester in an adjunct capacity,” the university said in a statement. “He has been placed on administrative leave, and another faculty member will cover this class for the remainder of the semester.”

“Custodio’s other place of employment, Belmont Abbey College, said that Custodio was not currently teaching classes at the time of the alleged murder.

“Van Erick was hired by Belmont Abbey in 2019 to teach computer science. Earlier this year he requested family leave that was granted, so he was not teaching at the Abbey when the incident occurred. Van Erick was suspended from teaching at the Abbey effective 4/13/2022.”

Former N.C. College Professor Faces Murder Charge in Death of 6-Week-Old Infant He Raised Money to Adopt
[MSN 4/15/22 by Tristan Balagtas]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“A professor accused of abusing his newborn adopted son pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on Tuesday.

Gaston County Bureau Reporter Ken Lemon was in court, where Van Erick Custodio, 42, faced a judge. In April of last year, Custodio was charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse. The the baby died from the injuries he sustained from the alleged abuse, according to investigators. The newborn suffered a fractured skull, broken rib, and other injuries.

“I realize my going to prison will not bring my son back,” Custodio said in a statement in court. “Words fail to express my contrition.”

Custodio then quoted the Bible.

“Through my fault. Through my fault. Through my most grievous fault,” he said.

The child was five weeks old at the time of his death but had already been through trauma.

“Words fail to express my contrition for a sin so heinous, so unspeakable, nor can that assuage the horror scandal, and heartache I have caused,” Custodio said.

Prosecutors said he was frustrated when he was left home alone with the crying newborn and took his frustration out on the child.

“I disgraced my family, friends, and community,” Custodio said.

He accepted a sentence of 23 years in prison for second-degree murder.

The baby’s age was an aggravating factor in the sentencing.

“My going to prison will not bring my son back,” Custodio said. “It is a great mercy to be made accountable for my sin and to have a chance to atone for it.”

He said this is where his rebirth begins and thanked the judge for the chance to make things right.

She accepted his thanks and challenged him.

“I hope you put your money where your mouth is,” said Sally Kirby-Turner, Superior Court judge. “Good Luck.”

Custodio was an assistant professor of computer sciences at Belmont Abbey College.”
Man accused of abusing, killing adopted newborn son pleads guilty
[WSOCTV 5/2/23]