Crappy Parent of the Week, Vol 3 (January 14-20, 2008)

After a four week hiatus for the holiday season, we come back with our first "Crappy Parent of the Week" Award for 2008.  There were several nominees to choose from, as the holiday season really seems to bring out the whack-o child abusers, but the overall winner comes from the Sunshine State.

Winter Haven, Florida resident Marcos Gomez-Romero apparently just wanted another son, and nothing else would do.  According to police reports, Gomez-Romero is facing first-degree murder charges for the death of his four-month-old daughter, Ariana Rodriguez-Romero.  Gomez-Romero allegedly beat his daughter repeatedly over a period of months all because he wanted a boy and not a girl. 

He admitted to slapping the baby in her sleep and would get violently angry just by looking at the girl, calling her names and denying that she was his daughter.  Ariana died on Christmas Day and had suffered multiple internal and external injuries including a lacerated spleen, broken ribs, and a bruised jaw.

Ariana's mother did not call the police to report her husband's abusive behavior because he threatened to run away with the couple's 2-year-old son.  Charges have not been filed against her, but police have not ruled out that possibility just yet.

Congratulations, Marcos, for being selected this week's Crappy Parent!