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Five year-old Phoebe Jonchuck’s father, John Jonchuck, was charged with murder after he allegedly threw her off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge into the cold waters of Tampa Bay. A police officer witnessed Jonchuck get out of his vehicle, grab Phoebe from the back seat and throw her over the rail. Her body was found two hours later, about a mile from where she was thrown. Our hearts break for little Phoebe, whose short life ended tragically at the hands of her father. Such depravity is incomprehensible. How could a someone hurt a child? Especially their own child?
The investigation into her murder has revealed that Jonchuck and Phoebe’s mother, Michelle Kerr had a long history with the law, including multiple arrests stemming from domestic violence allegations. Jonchuck’s family law attorney called the Florida Department of Children and Families, as well as 911 following a strange encounter with Jonchuck just hours before he killed his daughter. That afternoon, Jonchuck met with his attorney about his custody case, with little Phoebe at his side. Phoebe sat quietly coloring while Jonchuck and his attorney spoke. During her call with law enforcement, she explained that during the meeting, Jonchuck was behaving strangely, referring to her as God. She explained that her client was ‘out of his mind’ and pleaded with officers to find Jonchuck and Phoebe, as she feared for their lives. The attorney even wondered out loud if she should have let him leave her office with his little girl. When the cops found him, however, the officers concluded they did not have sufficient evidence to detain him, as he appeared to be OK and his daughter seemed safe. Phoebe was killed just a few hours later. The Department of Children and Families had not yet started their investigation.
Phoebe’s horrific murder, and the seemingly endless red flags and missed opportunities that could have saved her from her father, must serve as a reminder of our duty as family law professionals to remain aware and do all we can to help children whose families are in turmoil. We must consider whether additional safety measures or investigations are warranted and do everything in our power to get the help these children desperately deserve. In divorce and custody cases, such options can include individual, children and/or family counseling; appointing Guardians ad Litem; obtaining Psychological Evaluations for parties and/or their children; obtaining Parenting Plan Evaluations; enlisting Parenting Coordinators; require drug counseling and/or testing; seeking Domestic Violence Injunctions; safety-focused parenting plans which would include supervised visitation and/or sole custody; and, when appropriate, enlisting mental health professionals and experts to work together in devising an appropriate reintroduction plan for a child and their estranged parent.
It is our obligation as family law professionals to advocate for children and enlist all necessary safety nets available. Our children’s lives depend on it.
https://news.yahoo.com/dad-accused-throwing-girl-bridge-had-police-run-094328188.html