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The Hallandale Beach parents arrested in the disappearance of their baby boy -- and labeled by authorities as suspects in the boy’s possible death -- will be required to post higher bond amounts before they are freed from jail, a judge ruled Saturday.
Broward Circuit Judge Geoffrey Cohen raised the bond amounts for Calvin Melvin Jr., 27, and Brittney Sierra, 21, during a weekend court hearing on child neglect charges in the disappearance of Dontrell Melvin, who police say was 5 months old when he was last seen around July 2011.
On Saturday, police and forensic anthropologists kept digging for more remains at the property where Melvin and Sierra once lived. Hallandale Beach police on Friday found remains there that they said were consistent with those of an infant. Police said they haven’t determined whether the remains are Dontrell’s.
As police investigated outside the property, a current resident who moved into the home about six months ago said she was allowed to stay inside her residence. Natalie Garrido, 21, described a hectic day Saturday, saying that many police cars remained parked outside.
Saturday afternoon, she said she saw officials setting up additional tents in the backyard and using buckets as they excavated.
"They’re doing a lot of digging back there, for any leftover bones or something," Garrido said. "They added a couple of tents, I guess to protect everything that’s going on."
In court Saturday, the judge first spoke to Sierra, charged with one count of child neglect.
“The allegations are extremely serious,” the judge told Sierra. “In light of that, I do find it essential to set a very substantial bond to assure her presence at further proceedings.”
Cohen raised Sierra's bond amount to $100,000.
Defense objects to higher bond
Assistant Public Defender Terry Conover, who represented Sierra on Saturday, said he opposed the increased bond amount, given it was basically unaffordable for Sierra.
“Judge, we object to the amount of the bond being tantamount to no bond,” Conover said. “She has ties to the community. She doesn’t have the funds, and she has really virtually no record, so we object.”
Cohen replied, “Your objection is noted,” but he didn’t change his mind on Sierra’s bond being $100,000.
Dontrell’s two siblings recently were placed in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families. Sierra told the judge she visited the courthouse Thursday and was told she could "have supervision with my kids."
"I was wondering can I also see them while I’m here, or when I get out while I’m on house arrest?" she asked.
The judge told her he would not authorize her request.
Then the judge addressed Melvin, charged with child neglect and obstructing a criminal investigation by providing false statements to police. The judge increased Melvin's bond to $150,000.
Related stories from NBCMiami.com
If either Sierra or Melvin were to post their bond amount, each would be freed from jail and placed on house arrest, the judge said.
Each also would be required to wear an electronic monitoring device as they await their court cases to proceed, the judge said.
If Sierra does leave jail, she will stay with her mother in Hallandale Beach, the judge said.
Sierra’s mother, who attended the hearing, told Cohen, “She has a place to go. She has family that loves her.” The mother declined to comment after the hearing.
Each parent blames the other, police say
Dontrell’s disappearance didn’t become known to authorities until Wednesday, when a child welfare investigator spoke to Sierra regarding a child neglect case, according to Hallandale Beach police.
The investigator determined that Dontrell was missing. She spoke to his grandparents, who said they hadn’t seen the boy in more than a year. The investigator notified police.
After hours of police questioning Thursday, the parents blamed each other in the boy’s disappearance, and each provided police an area to search, police said.
Police said Friday that they dug up the remains in the backyard of a home in the 100 block of Northwest First Avenue in Hallandale Beach. It is reportedly where the couple had lived.
Before the remains were found, Police Chief Dwayne Flournoy said that if evidence warranted further charges, the parents “will be charged accordingly.”
After the remains were unearthed, the chief said the missing-person case had turned into a homicide investigation. He said, “Are the parents suspects? Yes.”
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From the article: "Police said they haven’t determined whether the remains are Dontrell’s."
That makes me wonder how many babies are buried on these people's property.
This is the sad state of affairs our country has fallen into.
The low regard for life that we have now is mind boggling. Some blame has to fall on violent video games and movies. A lot of it falls on the parents for not instilling moral values onto their kids. That doesn't mean they need to take them to church and all but to teach them right from wrong and keep them away from gratuitous violence on the tube and big screen. I can't believe it when I go to the movies to see an "R" rated movie and I see a bunch of little teenagers underage all waiting in line without a guardian in sight. Some of you don't think any of this has anything to do with it but you are wrong.
That and the fact that they seem to be still digging.... Sometimes I'm sure that animals take better care of their offspring than some humans. How many of these parental child abuse and murders have we endured lately? it is beyond outrage or comprehension. If they don't want the child, give it up for adoption!
Jeanne,
Don't forget that also sometimes in the animal world that the mother will eat her own young.
Movies and games have nothing to do with it. People around the world play the same games, and watch the same movies. Yet you dont see other countries with the same violence or murder rates. It is something else, and its something thats unique to the US. That isnt Media...
these 2 did not deserve to be parents but politicans are changing all the rules and female health care and such might soon be gone.. so the Ryans and the Cantors need step up and adopt these unwanted children, educate them love them and make them a real part of their family
MoreJustice,
"Yet you dont see other countries with the same violence or murder rates"
It wasn't very long ago that Mexico had the dubious distinction of having the highest murder rate in the world, but we appear to have surpassed them, even with the drug cartels.
Mickey,
per capita, Mexico is about 4 times the murder rate that the us is
NOPE. Our murder rate is still much lower, about a fourth.
That just means we are still striving to get there.
MoreJustice - unique to the US. Are you freaking kidding me? No one from any other country dies from someone killing them? Not one 'nasty accident' or heinous killing? You need to read more - A LOT more. There's India's problem with the men that can't get it up except in gangs, men in Germany kidnapping and holding girls, ditto for Belgium. I'm not saying the US is blameless, but UNIQUE - hardly!
Basically, she cannot afford the bond and can't get out. Isn't this the whole idea?! WTF.
Public defenders....Pfffft!
It is amazing how many POS poor excuses for human beings there are out there that can abuse an infant who cannot, under any circumstances, defend itself from garbage parents likes these two. They should both be sterlized and never allowed to have any additional children, and the ones they do have be taken away and never given back. They'll probably end up dead,too.
It's hard to not rush to judgement, especially when it's a child who has apparently been murdered. But we gotta wait. That's what being an American is all about. Innocent 'til proven guilty. Let all the facts come in. If it's determined the they murdered the baby then the prosecutor will make a deal with them - in order to avoid having to do his or her job. The guy will get 12-25 years and be back on the streets in 7-8 when he's in his mid-30's and able to have more babies. The woman will get less because, well, she's a woman. BUT... we have to wait until all the facts are in before the prosecutor can break out his deck of cards. So please, try and withhold judgement for now. While we wait, anyone for a little game of craps?
Remember Casey Anthony, right? We ALL thought she was guilty but then SUPRISE, she's not. Innocent as a new born (but still alive and not rotting in a bag in the woods) babe. Could be the the exact same thing is happening here... be patient... let the prosecutors office sort it out... they'll get to the bottom of it. You betcha... literally... you BETcha.
BSTheClown-
BLACK women do not get light sentences. Not too long ago,a sngle black mother was given more time for jaywalking than the drunk white man who hit- and KILLED- her child. It was this white MAN's 3rd DUI! She was up for 2- 3 years. He served 6 months!!!! This is just one case , but far from the only example. Stop using the preferences given WHITE women to claim all women get leniency.
{{{Raquel Nelson lost her 4-year-old son. Nelson was crossing a busy Marietta, Georgia, street with her son and his two siblings when they were struck by a hit-and-run driver. Police were able to track down the driver, Jerry Guy, who later admitted he had been drinking and had taken painkillers the night of the accident. He was also mostly blind in one eye. Guy had already been convicted of two prior hit-and-runs. He pleaded guilty, served six months of his five-year sentence, and was released last October}}}
A true racist statement if ever there was one....if I have to explain....you wouldn't understand.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Brittney+Sierra&FORM=HDRSC2
WTF?
The way these parents were able to keep their relatives and others running around in circles about where their child was, is typical of how those who abuse their children can get away for so long, with their actions. Too often people don't want to push for answers about what has happened to children, believing it isn't their right to intrude into the private affairs of parents and what is happening in a family. Especially when it comes to calling the shots. The saying, "A man's home is his castle."Is still a very accurate mentality that for generations dominates the social thinking of many societies cultures.
If further inroads to progress in stopping child neglect and abuse are to be made, people must be willing to push for firmer answers and getting authorities involved, when they suspect something is wrong when they find parents being too vague about a child that suddenly disappears.Who normally is part of a family.
The police would much rather you be mistaken, then a child truly be harmed, and nobody say a word from fear of treading on peoples toes. Children truly depend on responsible adults to look after their best interests. Even if that adult is another relative, neighbor, teacher, friend, playmates parent or someone else in the community.
How terribly awful this child's parents proved to be unfit and failed to provide even the basics every baby deserves in life. Hopefully they will now pay fully for their actions.I pray no other bodies are found. Rest in peace little angel.
I agree with you. But where did it (the evasive answers and behavior) come from? Who raised these two losers? From one side or the other - it is more than likely a learned behavior. Not always true but more than likely.
Personally; I would have been to visit if I hadn't heard my grandson over the phone (ie; crying in the background) in about 2 weeks. For goodness sakes he was only 5 months old. It is not that far to drive. How far is too far when it comes to your grandchildren and their safety and well being?
How many grandparents would want to be separated from their grandchild for over a year??? This is not normal behavior. Could someone else in the family other than the parents have known or been involved???
The grandparents probably weren't thrilled with the mixed couple kids.
It happens!
My greatest thought also, I guess it is a case of redneck whites and black trash mixing, neither care for anything but the next drink or drug, maybe sex somewhere along the line. Looks like the white girl is a breeder.
It absolutely does. It doesn't mean that all of the grandparents didn't care about the baby or wished harm to the baby. Also, Mickey makes an excellent point at the first post.
I personally think the grandparents are at fault, also. They should have been the first to raise the alarm, even if it IS their own child at fault. Unless the grandparents really don't give a rip......
gusotto, you nailed it...
I was thinking the same thing. A year and the grandparents thought nothing about it? There is more to the story than what we have been told in THIS story. I am sure more will be forthcoming - hopefully.
If I didn't see my grandchildren at least once every week or two, or talked to them on the phone consistently, and I got vague answers from the parents as to where the child was, you can bet your life on it that I would be asking a lot of questions of the parents and then would be making a phone call to the police to let them know of any suspicions I might have. This is totally ludicrous that these grandparents did not see this child in almost a year and did nothing. Just like in the Caylee Anthony case where they were told the child was with a babysitter and the mother had not seen or heard from her in a month....really??? Who leaves their child with a babysitter, doesn't know where the babysitter is, goes out partying with her friends and acts like she doesn't give a damn??? Only Casey Anthony....and she got away with murder!!! When are we going to put stricter laws in place to protect these innocent children from the abusive parents they get stuck with? And, God almighty, if you don't want the child, put it up for adoption!! There are many loving, caring people out there who would gladly take the child into their homes and give them a shot at a decent life and future.
Do people just procreate like dogs without being married these days? Husband Optional? If people can't commit to each other, how can they commit to raising a child?
shhh, we can only talk about how heavy someone is or ugly they are (sarcastically).
I feel the same way as you do.
There are plenty of couples that have children together that are not married. It is just a piece of paper. You should not be forced into marriage just b/c you have a child together. As far as commitment goes there are plenty of married people who are not committed to each other, or their families. My husband and I had our children our of wedlock and infact did not get married until our youngest was a year old, mostly just to shut the family up. We would still be together either way. Marriage does not equal commitment.
I do understand where you are coming from though with so many women having several kids by different dads. I see it in my own community.
Tinkerfarie,
"There are plenty of couples that have children together that are not married. It is just a piece of paper."
You must be a Joni Mitchell fan. Your post reminds me of her old song My Old Man:
"We don't need no piece of paper from the city hall
Keeping us tied and true.
No, My old man
Keeping away my blues"
That song is from her album Blue which came out around 1968.
That's the point, they don't commit and the child is an accidental inconvienience, unloved and unwanted. These types of people are the dirt under our feet, barely human at all. The tragedy is that is seems child welfare was involved with the family so there must have been previous issues. Too many children are knowingly left with abusive parents due to weak laws. We as a society should do better for these kids.
A welfare check is their incentive!!!
I think the girl killed the baby and all the family including the boyfriend knew about it and was trying to cover it up to save the girl. But i think all of them so be put in prison because this case makes no sense to me
The killing of any child makes no sense.
You are right about that, I'm just saying if most decent grandparents havent seen their grand child in a year in a half, I would think they would raise hell to find out whats going on. My mom live 800 miles from me and expects to see my kids once a month and when she doesnt she offers to pay to see them. But these people just went on with their lives and asked no questions
If the husband (insert joke here) knew and did nothing - he is just as culpable. They are both throwing each other under the bus, so they both may have had something to do with this poor innocent soul's life. He was only 5 months old. (that is something I have real trouble dealing with - f i v e m o n t h s o l d ! Good grief.)
I read Sierra's Mom's comment that she has a place to go to and a family that loves her.
Gee, that's great for her Mom to say. Hey Mom and Grandmom, what about her poor dead son?
He wanted someone to love him and have a safe loving place to go to.
Guess he won't have that now. Where were you this past year Grandma while your grandson was missing?
How can you relatives go a year with a child missing.
Leave your stupid a** daughter and son in law in jail to rot where they belong.
Could the remains be of someone else's baby?
Fact is, some parents sell their infants. There is a big demand for adoptable infants in the USA. It leads to child trafficking and baby selling.
How horrible! The parents gave the run-around to the grandparents about where the baby was! That should have been a red flag,right there! I hope there are no more bodies,in that back yard! Those parents should never have been given a bond- they are murderers,and are where they deserve to be-behind bars!
Hey, go with Zanny the Nanny story, and call Jose. He was able to prove to 12 juriors, that a mother who was last seen with her daughter, who never reported her missing, drove around in a car that smelled like a dead body was in the trunk (aka pizza, squirrels) found around the corner from her house, thrown in woods like trash, was an accident. Just cause. partied got a tatoo an is a liar, doesn't mean she killed her. Said he'd prove it was an accident, and found 12 people to believe him. And you sure can't charge her with child neglect, when she really waasn't missing, she was dead. Really. Don't worry, You'll get it, maybe, you got to buy his book though to find out. Just because they find your baby burried in your yard, and you didn't say anything, doesn't mean you murdered him, you believed he was alive, you were in denial, he's been with Zanny.
Her mother said she has someplace to go and people who love her, how nice, too bad grandma didn't feel the same about her grandbaby. I hope they send these other children far away from this disturbed family, what kind of grandparent doesn't see or question where a child is for a year? Please please get both of these idiots spayed and neutered, can't have them bringing more unwanted children into this world. C.A. is enough of an threat to children to be able to reproduce again with ignorant grandparents.
We have to stop this sh---t Its getting worst not better so I guess jail time doesn"t matter to these kind of people that do this so we should call that cycle club that protects kids everytime and I'll bet it slows way down
Does the mothers reply to the judge: "she has someplace to go, with family that love her", sound exactly like someone else mother about 2 years ago. Humm.
So what is mom hiding, just like the "other mom" who swore her daughter could not ever do such a thing. Is daddy going to be in on the this cover up too?
Surprised me that the grandparents, who apparently live in the same community, hadn't seen their grandson in over a year, and didn't seem all that concerned about not seeing him, and yet they want their daughter out of jail.
The judge already knows that what she told him isn't the truth. If anyone did, it was someone who had no authority or knowledge of what was going on. No one at the courthouse will stick his or her neck out for Sierra to mess with her other children.
Sounds like another Casey Anthony......I am happy to hear the judge raised the bail on these two. And she shouldn't be allowed to see her other children either.
People above are saying violent video games don't have anything to do with this. We have to remember that not all people's brains are built the same way. Say I played a violent video game for 2 years I'd be okay not to repeat the terror, however, someone who is more mentally sick than me, may see it more as a reality and actually act it out to see how it feels. This situation has guilty written all over it, but they have to identify the remains before pressing more severe charges. To the person who said how many babies are buried there, do you know how badly decomposed a body buried 1 1/2 years is, they can't identify it cause theres nothing but bones. DNA tests will have to be done.
These aren't parents they are animals, they should never get one of their children back. DCF will do a better job. Also, as far as the Grandparents they are a waste of space and oxygen too, how can you not know after a year that a grandchild is not been around!!So much for her loving Mother they all lived in the same area . Hopefully the justice system will put them away for a long, long time.NO BOND!!they are killers...
Sadly there is no test before being able to reproduce, and a child is always the main victim.
Casey Anthony deja vu
You are what you eat, whether we are talking food, visual, hearing, physical or spiritual (or lack thereof). Second point - the love of materialism has replaced the love of people - family, friends, humanity, since the 60's. Thirdly, this country is powered by I, me, my ism (I want what I want when I want it, do not stand in my way). Fourth, you can not legislate good morals, ethical behaviour, the 10 commandments or anything else. Laws only tell you what you should not do as part of the society governed by such. Lastly, relativism rules the country and because it does, any and every one from the highest office in the land to the lowliest person on the totem pole finds justification for any and everything they do, even if evil. This negates laws. All this hurts every one in society. The rest of the world is no different. There is much evil in every single country on earth.
How can a child disappear and no one noticed? No neighbors, grandparents, other kids? Really?
if my mom even went more than a week of not seeing my son...she would have been breathing all down my neck for anwers...this case makes no sense at all..the fact that no friends or family asked any questions....& why the hell is she 21 with 3 kids anyway...am i the only one that sees something wrong with that?? i hope they throw the book at these 2 idiots!!!! i hope she NEVER gets her other 2 kids back either!! wow, what a real piece of sh%* these ppl are!!!!!!
I was thinking the same thing myself...why the hell does a 21-year old have 3 kids to begin with. How old are the other two? Do they all have the same daddy? Did the grandparents see the other grandchildren? So many unanswered questions.
Her bail $100,000 and his $150,000. What the "racist" hell is going on here. They both should have no freaking bail. What is wrong with the court system in Florida?
The poor child had the misfortune of having garbage for parents.One can hope with Florid having the death penalty for these two or at the least life behind bars.