KALAMAZOO, Mich. (May 23, 2014) – Brian Roberts, A father from Kalamazoo, is in jail accused of abusing and murdering his two-year-old son. Family members tell us he’d taken custody of the toddler just weeks before his death.
On New Year’s Eve, two-year-old Nehemiah Dodd, or ‘Nemo’ as he’s known to loved ones, was taken to the hospital after police found him unresponsive at his father’s home on Frank Street in Kalamazoo.
Police said the child’s father, Roberts, told them Nemo was knocked out after falling down the stairs. He died a few days later at the hospital. The autopsy showed evidence of child abuse.
Roberts was arrested on murder charged and appeared before a judge on Thursday where he asked the judge to reconsider setting his bond at $250,000.
“I’ve been out everyday sir,” he said to the judge during a video arraignment from jail. “Minding my own business, not bothering anyone, not a threat and I’ve been to all my court dates, not trying to run from nothing sir. I know you don’t want to hear about the case but I’m not a threat to society sir.”
According to police, Roberts has past arrests for criminal sexual conduct and domestic violence charges. He will back in court for a preliminary exam on June 4th.
