Child drowning deaths have Lowcountry connection
Father charged with murdering kids lived in Charleston
WJZ-TV
Athena Castillo (from left), 2; Anthony Castillo, 6; and Austin Castillo, 4, were drowned in a Baltimore hotel bathtub Saturday night. Police say their father, Mark Anthony Castillo of Rockville, Md., admitted to the killings and was charged Monday with murder.
Dr. Amy Castillo, a former Charleston pediatrician, is known for her generosity and compassion, especially toward needy children in the Lowcountry.
On Saturday, police say her ex-husband drowned their three children in a Baltimore hotel room bathtub.
Amy Castillo cared for the poor and disadvantaged at Franklin C. Fetter Family Health Center at the corner of Meeting and Nassau streets. She was here for only five years, but in that time she made many friends, including Mark Anthony Castillo, the man she married. Ten years later, they were divorced and he was battling for custody of Anthony, 6; Austin, 4; and Athena, 2. That court fight ended tragically, police say, with Mark Castillo's unthinkable act of violence.
Baltimore Police Department
Mark Anthony Castillo is seen in this photo provided by the Baltimore police. Castillo has been charged with drowning his three children in a Baltimore hotel room over the weekend.
Amy Castillo's peers and instructors in the pediatrics residency program at the Medical University of South Carolina say she was well-liked. They expressed disbelief at the horrible news regarding the family of the bubbly, vivacious, smart doctor they remember.
"It is a very tragic thing to have happened. It's almost unbelievable," said Dr. Lyndon Key, chairman of the MUSC Department of Pediatrics.
Castillo graduated from the three-year pediatric residency program in 1994 and worked for about two years at the Fetter Family Health Center, Key said.
"She was a very good resident," he said.
Dr. Williams Basco of Mount Pleasant was in the pediatric residency class one year behind Castillo. "Amy was the kind of resident you always wanted to be on call with," Basco said. "She was a great colleague." She was generous and helpful, he said, "very vivacious." They played on a recreation league volleyball team together.
"She was good at what she did and she loved what she did," Basco said. She was voted best senior resident, he said.
Local resident Michael Caristi said his wife, Dr. Kimberly Caristi, was a year behind Castillo in the pediatrics residency program. "She (Castillo) gave a lot to the Lowcountry when she was here caring for needy people," he said. Michael Caristi described her as outgoing, compassionate and vibrant. "All-American glowing smile," he said.
Caristi, Basco and Key said they never met Mark Castillo.
Mark Castillo, 41, of Rockville, Md., and his ex-wife were engaged in a pitched legal battle over the custody of their three children, court records show.
Castillo has confessed to drowning the children in a hotel bathtub on Saturday night, when they were to go back to their mother, police said. He was charged with first-degree murder and child abuse after his release from a hospital where he was treated for self-inflicted cuts to his neck, police said.
Mark Anthony Castillo and Dr. Amy Ashley Ward were married on Feb. 7, 1998, in Charleston County. She was a Mount Pleasant resident and he lived in North Charleston. It was his second marriage and her first. At the time, he was 31 and she was 32, according to county records. Her birthplace is listed as Washington and his is listed as California, but no town is given. They divorced in February in Maryland.
How to help
The MUSC Department of Pediatrics has established a fund to help Dr. Amy Castillo. Mail contributions to:
Dr. Amy Castillo Fund, BB&T Bank
c/o Office of the Chairman
Department of Pediatrics
Medical University of South Carolina
135 Rutledge Ave. MSC561
Charleston, SC 29425
On Dec. 23, 1998, Mount Pleasant police ticketed Mark Castillo for soliciting for business without a town permit. Police said Castillo created traffic problems when he tried to sell a caged Furby during rush hour in the median of Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. At the time, the robot was the hottest-selling Christmas toy. Police issued the ticket when Castillo twice refused to leave.
On Dec. 25, 2006, Amy Castillo sought a protective order and asked that a court order Mark Castillo to receive counseling. He has a history of psychiatric problems and threatened to kill the children more than a year ago, she said in court documents. A temporary protective order was approved three days after the petition was filed, but Circuit Judge Joseph Dugan rejected a permanent order Jan. 10, 2007. In explaining his decision, Dugan wrote there was "no clear or convincing evidence that the alleged acts of abuse occurred."
Mark Castillo and the children spent time Saturday afternoon at Baltimore's Inner Harbor, then he checked them into the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor. The children were drowned, one at a time, in the tub that night, Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld said.
Police said Castillo called the hotel front desk Sunday afternoon, saying he'd killed the children. Baltimore police and firefighters were sent to their 10th-floor room and discovered the bodies, Bealefeld said.
Castillo was supposed to have returned the children to their mother in Silver Spring, Md., at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. His wife called Montgomery County police shortly after that time to say that her husband had not returned the children, Bealefeld said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 52 comment(s)
Posted by PalmerSullivan on April 2, 2008 at 12:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sick to my stomach after hearing about this. I know nothing can ease Mrs. Castillo and her family's pain now, but I will be sending money to The MUSC Pediatric's Fund they've established for her. What an absolutely awful tragedy this is.
Posted by satscout on April 2, 2008 at 4:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This was so bloody preventable. Even if they didn't take Amy's word for it - and they should have - the therapists and other professionals involved in the children's care should have been allowed to testify on their behalf. It's not enough to say hey, she's a good person, a doctor, a violinist, a humanitarian, a mother... her word isn't going to be any better than his in a court of law. But the experts, that ought to be another story.
Posted by moonpie on April 2, 2008 at 5:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My God, my God, this is unbelievable. I don't know what punishment, if there is one, fits this crime.
Posted by wonderdog on April 2, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Evil - simply evil.
Posted by ilsh2 on April 2, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Judge Joseph Dugan should stand in front of the children's casket and tell himself - it is better to err on the side of the children's safety.
Posted by Hey_U_Guys on April 2, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just don't understand how someone can sit there and drown, not one, but three innocent children. They were all so young. The poor mother. I cannot begin to imagine the heartache that she is feeling. I hope I never have to experience what this grieveing woman is going through. My heart goes out to her and her family.
Posted by pirate42 on April 2, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen ilsh2 plus be disbared from law...
Posted by Corder2007 on April 2, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
3 innocent souls taken in such an evil manner when Judge Dugan could have been the one and only to prevent this. I, as a mother, have no idea how on earth this poor woman will be able to deal with this tragic loss. My family would have to lock me away in a rubber room. May God have mercy on her soul and try and ease her loss and pain. As for the evil SOB that did this horrific act he deserves the same done to him. He deserves death and no less.
Posted by theronce on April 2, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now, too late, some judge will say that he is nuts and let him off.
Posted by theronce on April 2, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From my point of view, there really do exist people on this earth so evil as to warrant immediate execution upon the irrefutable exposure of evidence of their evil acts. Trials and fairness and such are a waste of time on these people. This is one of those evil people whose crime is so heinous that he should be promptly executed, swiftly and with all of the malice and prejudice of civilization.
Posted by Corder2007 on April 2, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hell I am with all of you on this.........
wpc3iop - i agree with the removal of the judge!!! i wonder if he is an appointed judge or elected official! elected sure would be easier to have removed than appointed! You Know?
Posted by captivated on April 2, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is tragic beyond words. And this demon is already trying to escape punishment by his half hearted attempt at suicide. Some worthless judge like Dugan will bring up his "history of psychological problems" and this spawn of satan will spend a couple easy years in a mental facility and then walk. My deepest condolences to the family of these poor children.
Posted by mosinfan on April 2, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Concur completely with theronce.
Unfortunately, just give it time...we have very, very, short memories. The outrage felt right now by the public will soon fade and the bleeding heart idiots will raise their pitiful heads with their asinine arguments about how the death penalty is cruel and how this piece of work needs help and on and on...
Posted by Edwin435 on April 2, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is tragic... I wonder how many people going through divorce and custody hearings say that the other person is unstable in order to hurt the other parent and its not true and when someone really means this and needs the protection the judge just thinks that this is "crying wolf". I bet it happens all the time. I would like for all those that cry wolf to get at the other person to really think about what they are doing. My sympathy to the family.
Posted by Corder2007 on April 2, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well coldbeer your friend obviously has the support system and the proof he needs to cover his own a** should his vindictive ex-old b**ch decide to be so mean and restrict him from his friends! but the old battle ax better realize if she restricts him from coming around your neighborhood to hang with friends then she is cutting off her toes to spite her foot b/c she will have to do all of the leg work when it comes to the children and his court ordered visitation. And depending on the ages of the children, if they above 10, they are his proof he has done no harm to them! the ex is jealous b/c the friends chose him and all she wants is the same attention he is getting from the people in HER nieghrborhood that is being given to him and he is no longer apart of the neighborhood except for the occasional party or to get/return their children! Still no excuse for dugan's poor judgement! as a judge he has the right to pull any and all records/evidence to proove/disproove and accusation brought to the courtroom!!!!!
Posted by CarolinaWren on April 2, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are no words that are able to express the sorrow I feel for Mom or the anger I feel for the sperm donor. May his soul burn!
Posted by robert8096 on April 2, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Take him out to the swamp and tie him to a tree stump. Place small cuts all over his body and let God's creatures do the rest.
Posted by RTC on April 2, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the type of story that makes you feel like someone just punched you in the gut.
Horrifying, simply horrifying.
Posted by prosperous_hb on April 2, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How can he be charged with first degree murder after he murdered these three innocent children? This is a darn shame. Also, if he was known to have psychiatric problems, why in the heck was his visits not supervised?
They need to start cutting off privates and closing up vagingas b/c I'm tired of seeing this. You have plenty people in the world that can't have kids, but everyday we hear of something like this.
I can't even imagine Mrs. Castillo's pain right now, but I pray God's strength upon her and her family during this very difficult time.
Posted by lantanagurl on April 2, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lovely bleeding heart comments. Guess a hard heart is more appropriate for humans? What of mental illness? Obviously there is an issue of that here. NORMAL people do not kill their children. Yes there are indeed evil people who have no regard for others, however, that does not negate the reality of mentally & criminally insane people. We continue to use our prisons as mental institutions and them let the insane back out onto the street with no treatment. Wonder why people use prison on a revolving door basis? For those who don't want to acknowledge mental illness you might look at the numbers of people using Prozac and the like. Bet there's someone in your family who uses pharmecueticals for mental issues. What do you think is behind drug & alcohol abuse? Mental & emotional issues.
Posted by Larz13 on April 2, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This judge is probably one of those left-wing limosine liberals from Montgomery County, MD. He won't get any reprimand and the father will not get the death penalty either. That is the way it works in that state, I'm afraid.
Posted by RTC on April 2, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
latanagurl, in the legal sense a person can be declared insane, but it does not mean that they don't know the difference between right and wrong.
This man knew he had done something very wrong. That is why he called the police.
Posted by bribetaker on April 2, 2008 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When he meets his maker, I hope he gets the Old Testament version, that POS is due a serious smiting.....
Posted by asheranthony on April 2, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a straight-up narcicissistic ayhole!
Posted by abitskeptical on April 2, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There usually are ways to ensure that claims of abuse, stalking, etc are valid. However it takes effort on the part of the investigators, prosecutors, etc. to validate or invalidate these claims/complaints.
What I have observed is that those whose job it is to process these cases seem to go from one extreme to the other: Either they are willing to accept a claim, with little to zero validation, thereby contributing to fraud, or they dismiss a claim, stating, as Judge Dugan did, that there is no evidence to validate the claim, thereby contributing to what usually is an escalating & violent situation. Of course if they do not properly investigate a case, they fail the public in either type of case-invalid claim prosecuted or valid claim dismissed.
Posted by forget on April 2, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lantanagirl - He had a history of psychiatric problems, and threatened to kill the children a year earlier. He needed to be kept away from them, or visited under supervision. Your posts are usually saying that us as society should show understanding and compassion to violent criminals. But, I believe allwoman said it very clearly!
Posted by charlene68 on April 2, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
latingurl....He did it not once but 3 times. what kind of animal is he? or better yet he is not an animal even animals are not that cruel. there is no explanation for what he is . I don't know what kind of punishment they could give him to fit the crime that he done. He knew exactly what he was doing I dont think there is any mental issues at all becuuase he done it 3 times not just one .... I hope he rots in jail and gets exactly what he deserves. he knew exactly what he was doing he was not mentally disturbed to have done it 3 times. Im sorry but I dont believe that latingurl.... My sympathies to Amy and her family.
Posted by reality_woman on April 2, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A terrible and senseless tragedy that could have been prevented by Judge Dugan. He should be thrown of the bench for making such an idiotic judgement. He should have to live every day for the rest of his life looking at the faces of these poor and innocent children that were taken at the hand of a mad man. Yes he was a mad man but it's a little too late to change the situation now isn't it? Judges play too much with the safety of others here it's just crazy how they take the power given to them in the wrong way.
Posted by SomeTruthPlease on April 2, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Judge Dugan...Is there enough "clear and convincing evidence" for you NOW??????? If this had been Judge Andrews, that man would have had NO CHANCE of having the chance to murder his children.
Posted by noname on April 2, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
“On Dec. 25, 2006, Amy Castillo sought a protective order and asked that a court order Mark Castillo to receive counseling. He has a history of psychiatric problems and threatened to kill the children more than a year ago, she said in court documents.”
O.K. it was apparent that this sick bastard had some psychological issues, that’s all the more reason why he was not EVER going to see MY children unsupervised.
I can not begin to imagine how a parent can possibly kill their children. Hell, we are supposed to be their protector!
Yes, mental illness is a disease, but it is not an excuse for murder.
This sorry SOB does not deserve to breathe another breath as far as I am concerned.
What both he and the judge did was totally inexcusable, and their punishment should be extremely harsh.
I personally feel if they would allow them both to be hung publicly while looking down at those three darling little kids faces, their punishment would be than suffice.
Posted by Mon_Kie on April 2, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What kind of a Doctor marries an idiot
who sells Furbys at the side of the road?
Posted by Girleygirl on April 2, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Latanagirl- You know whats wrong?
This man went in front of a court room to say there is nothing wrong with him. He LIED under oath that there was nothing wrong with him and then he turned around killed his own kids and then tried to kill hisself. There is no insanity plea. This person is selfish. He only think about hisself....look at the picture of him on the MArk Clark selling a caged furby and HE REFUSED TO LISTEN to officers then. He wanted his wife to suffer and he did not want to die. He knew what he could do to hurt her and just to make sure he stabbed hisself, I'm sorry pricked, his neck so he could like like he tried to do himself in.
This is 1st degree murder and he deserves the death penalty. Hell he wanted to (supposedly) kill hisself so why plead for his life now. Screw him. He did not think of those kids. He was thinking about how to play the system to work in his favor
I am so mad right now I don't know what to say.
Posted by ln1959 on April 2, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This man plan this ahead of time. He wonted to hurt Mrs. Castillo, which was to take away from her, what he felt she loved the most, her kids.
If he really wonted to kill his self, he would have succeeded. All others that have killed their family members, and planned on taking there own life have succeed.
Let me explain what I would say is a mental problem. There is a young lady in DC that killed all four of her kids and live with them in the house for 6 months. Now there is no way in the world that someone could not say this woman is not mentally ill.
This guy called the front desk to report it,so in my book a insane person would not have reported them self.
Posted by kaylee on April 2, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just terrible. I can not believe some parents. I hope and pray mom and family can get through this. I can't imagine the pain they are going through. I hope dad gets what he should hell in prison until the chair calls his name.
Posted by Flamingo70 on April 2, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The best punishment for him is to let Dr. Castillo alone with him for 10 minutes. The best punishment for the judge is for Dr. Castillo to use her intellect to have him disbarred. None of this will bring back those beautiful children to her. She needs our prayers that she remains solid during the next few years. Maybe she will find comfort somewhere, somehow. God speed to that comfort.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on April 2, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jesus wept.
Posted by fourisenough on April 2, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I went through a terrible divorce and my ex once said that our child would be better off dead than to be raised by me. He had a history of mental illness and thankfully limited funds so I left the state and forgot to tell him where I was. When someone has a "history" of mental illness they should never be left alone with children. I can't imagine her grief because I know her story. My child is now an adult and safe.
Posted by CountryGirl on April 2, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just what I was talking about when I posted a comment on the "7lb pot boy" board last week. I feel our police officers, and judges, should spend more time on cases like this rather than worry about the "little Timmys" of the world. I don't smoke pot and never have, but I know people who function very well in this society who do. Go after people like this guy and leave the petty stuff alone. We hear about cases of restraining orders being broken and the police don't have "time" to investigate each complaint, or in this case the judge didn't want to take the "time" to research this guy further. They do however have the "time" and man power to set up check points so they can "slow down" traffic and bust petty drug users. Sanford says our highway patrol officers are overworked and underpaid so they can get away with racial abuse and all the other things they are doing. I just don't get it. Put your resources where there is "real" danger.
I can't immagine what this mother is going through and I hope none of us in this state ever have to in the future. The only way we can be sure though is to speak out about where we feel our law enforcement resources should be focused.
Also, there is no question that this man has a problem. We shouldn't be judge and jury though because we have the "legal system" to do that for us. This guy's trial will surely be a long one because some lawyer will need to get paid by the state of MD and some judge will need to get paid and the prosecuter needs the "good press", etc....so sad.
Posted by forget on April 2, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Countrygirl - you obviously missed all the drug related crime in the area. As last I recall, marijuana is considered as one. To have 7 lbs. of it is meaning to distribute it (sell) which in turn begins the drug crime cycle all over again. They set up the check point in the neighborhood at the request of the CITIZENS of the subdivision. And hey, maybe they were tipped off to his occupation by the CITIZENS.
But neither here nor there, this poor woman relied on the court for protection, she didn't get it, now she has to rely on it for justice? Well, hopefully he'll get a jury of his peers like most of us on this post, not you and lantanagurl. He may have had "problems" but he knew enough of what he did to make that phone call immediatly afterward. I don't know where that stupid saying "don't judge me" has come from lately. But you realize that everyone of us are judged everyday of our lives. When you go to make a credit purchase, you are judged by your financial past as to whether or not you are likely to pay, you are judged at school - in competing in sports, for scholarships, etc. It's a fact of life. Usually the person that goes by the saying " don't judge me" isn't living up to their potential or living a lawful and/or meaningful life.
Just an opinion, everyone of us has one.
And besides that, I'm a little grumpy today....
Posted by ChrisPia on April 2, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/14/...
Read this on Child abuse..
Posted by palmetto_girl on April 2, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My heart just breaks for Amy. I knew her when she lived here and she was a sweet person and apparently a good pediatrician. All she really wanted was to marry someone she loved, before God and have a family. Almost anyone can be sucked in by a person like Mark Castillo, especially an innocent, trusting woman like Amy. She thought she was marrying a man she would have children and grow old with. She didn't believe it because she was stupid or blind but because I'm sure Mark Castillo didn't let her know he had BIG problems until it was way too late. I know countless numbers of women who found the man they were marrying "eccentric" or "extremely attentive" only to find out after marriage and children that what they really are is "crazy" and "jealous and possesive". So many women are closer to living a horror like this than anyone, including themselves, would like to know. The number of single mom's groups out there rises every day and if you talk to them it's not that common to find one whose ex-husband hasn't tried to make them pay in some way or other. In this case, he had already threatened her with the worst thing that could ever happen to a mother. She tried to get help through the legal system. His problems, threats and her fears were dismissed. Now, it's too late to listen and Amy will live with a nightmare that is not ever going to go away.
I would like to see the judicial system sentence him to be drowned. Hold him under the water like he did to their babies and let him see what it's like- until a second before he dies. Then let him up to gasp for air and hold him back down, and repeat. The third time, just before he drowns for real, show him how stabbing oneself in the neck for suicidal purposes is really done.
Posted by CountryGirl on April 2, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Forget..you sure ARE grumpy. I do realize that 7lbs means distributing, but if the purchase of pot for individual use was legal we wouldn't have such a "crime" problem with people who smoke it because there would be no reason to "make money" on it, therefore no reason to distribute.
Crack down on the hard drugs...if pot smokers are doing hard drugs they will get caught...simple.
My point wasn't about the pot. It was about using our law enforcement to the best of our ability so "dangerous" situations could be paid more attention to. Didn't mean to offend anyone.
I also agree with you on the "judging" thing. I believe in our civil rights, but if a white guy with blond hair killed somone, the police will be looking for a white guy with blond hair, but if it relates to "terror" and we know the approx age, nationality, etc..it's called "profiling", but that's another subject altogether.
Posted by abitskeptical on April 2, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen to law enforcement & the solicitor's office spending more time properly investigating cases such as the Castillos'
I am aware of another case in which there is plenty evidence of stalking & violation of a restraining order...so much so that sheriff's deputies arrested the individual on 2 separate occasions for stalking.
However, the solicitor's office (Scarlet Wilson) dismissed the case stating there is no evidence of stalking. I guess the deputies' judgment in this case means nothing.
When an investigation is not done one could rationalize that no evidence was found, so therefore none exists--BUT it still does not change the FACT that there IS evidence in existence.
I know that no investigation of substance was done in the case I mention above because I would have been a 3rd party witness to some of the stalking behavior & no one from local law enforcement or solicitor's office contacted me or any of several others who are aware of this case.
Scarlet Wilson are you listening?
Posted by forget on April 2, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Countrygirl - I TOLD you I was grumpy! LOL!
In the whole scheme of things, we mostly are in agreement.
I hope Dr. Castillo finds some peace in her life after all. Most of us could not imagine having to live our lives after something like this. It really makes the petty little disagreements we have on this look - well, petty.
Posted by justbeingme on April 2, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just awful....
The justice system failed Ms. Castillo and killed those babies.
P&C..Just a little info...Fetter Clinic is located between MEETING STREET & NASSAU STREETS..just around the corner from your d'town offices.
Posted by SuzieQJones on April 2, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Perhaps Bill O'Reilly will take on Judge Dugan! Condolences to Amy and the rest of the children's family.
Posted by tygers1231 on April 2, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that if our "wonderful" court of law would go back to the "Death Penalty" and actually follow through within no longer than a week from the time you are sentenced, then maybe people would reconsider taking others lives, especially the "Innocent Children". Maybe public hanging would be the way to go! Until the public takes a stand and DEMAND that these people stop being allowed to live in the jails for free, receive a free college education at the expense of the taxpayers, then nothing is going to change. This judge is the case should also have to answer for his decision, I think nothing less than being charged as an accessory to murder will do. I at a loss here. I just pray that he doesn't get off with a insanity plea, "he stated to the mother/exwife, that he would murder the children that would make her suffer more!! Sounds like he is not insane, just EVIL, DEATH PENALTY SOON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by chudbrocktune on April 2, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What happened here was horrible and I dont think anyone will disagree with that, but those laying blame on this judge are terribly misguided. In the article i read above it stated that this guy had been charged w/ obstructing traffic. No where do I see child abuse, attempted murder, or any other crime which would signifiy he would carry out this terrible crime. As for the claims by the wife, the judge stated there was insufficient evidence to keep the father from his kids. Well like it or not are legal system does require some type of evidence, other than he said she said, to keep a parent from their child. The mental illness issue is also not an automatic reason to limit a parent from access to their child, if every person who has had any type of mental health issue was denied access to there children we would have alot of parentless children. One more point to note is that this judge made this decision over a year ago and if he was such an immediate threat to the welfare of the children how was it that he was able to restrain himself for an entire year. The whole point of this is that it is easy to sit here and "Monday Morning Quarterback" the situation and say you would have done things differantly. This Judge is faced day in and out with an extremely difficult situation of whether or not to allow a parent to have access to thier children, and you all are acting as if those choices are as easy as what to wear in the morning. There might be more to this story, but from what was presented here in this article there is no way to determine if the Judge was negligent, and those calling for him to be disbarred or worse should consider that before passinf judgement.
Posted by forget on April 2, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry, but with a history of psychiatric problems and threatening the lives of the children, I believe the judge has a responsibility to the children to side with them. And siding with them in this matter would be to have had supervised visits and psychiatric observation of their father. For their well being as well as his. You think maybe that the father might not have seen the children much in the last year. That may be why he hadn't done anything since then. It's just a news article, not their full divorce and custody report from the court.
I usually go with the theory that if there's smoke, there's fire.
Posted by nicolefuller on April 2, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello,
My name is Nicole Fuller. I'm a reporter at the Baltimore Sun newspaper in Maryland, where I've been convering the tragic events involving Amy Castillo and her children. I would really like to talk to Amy's friends and colleagues. I can be reached on my cell phone at (410)818-6212 or by email at nicole.fuller@baltsun.com. Thank you.
Posted by rollo on April 2, 2008 at 8:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers are with Dr Castillo, I cannot imagine a more devastating tragedy in ones' life than losing all of ones' children in such a manner.I hope she knows that Jesus has her in HIS hands.
Posted by umakebrains on April 3, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is truly a heartwrenching, you have to have a license to have a dog, and absolutely no training to be a parent. This sicko should have cut his head off. I had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Castillo, beautiful person his acts are those of seeing her self, distruct how can she continue treating children and all hers are gone, he should be stoned by every child who have encountered Dr. Castillo.