Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Oregon's KATU Doesn't Name Judge in murder of Shane Stephens, age 10

Father and son, 10, dead in apparent murder-suicide at Oregon coast.
Judge Modifying the Restraining Order Not Named.

Story Updated: Mar 19, 2008
By KATU Web Staff

FORT STEVENS STATE PARK, Ore. - Clatsop County officials are investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving a Portland man and his 10-year-old son.

Officials with the Clatsop County District Attorney's Office said their bodies were found inside the father's vehicle at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria.

Investigators say the father, identified as Rockland Stephens, 49, ran a hose from the tail pipe into the cab of the vehicle. They said the man and boy both likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The deaths reportedly come shortly after events connected to a child custody battle.

Police say Stephens had his son, Shane, (pictured at right) for the weekend and was supposed to return the boy to his mother's house in St. Helens but never showed up.

KATU News has learned the child's mother obtained a restraining order on Jan. 17 citing concerns about Stephen's conduct.

On Jan. 22, a Columbia County judge issued an order modifying the original restraining order allowing alternate weekend visitations by Stephens.

Shane's mother had accused Stephens of fleeing to Fiji with another child, who is now an adult, in order to prevent her from having custody.

An investigation into the deaths is continuing.

(As this was an updated version and the judge is still not named...much work needs to be done given the history of behavior of the father. - Editor.)