Christopher Cantwell

Christopher Cantwell was a 2 1/2-year-old toddler who was beaten to death by his father, 27-year-old Army Sergeant Patrick Cantwell, in the family home at 4270 Allison Circle in Fairfax on December 13, 1965.[1]

Rather than sing his son a lullaby or read him a story to induce a peaceful slumber, Sergeant Cantwell instead slapped the boy seven times in the head to make him sleep. Slapping his son in the head was apparently Sergeant Cantwell's preferred method to encourage the child to both sleep and eat.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Fairfax Jury Issues 27 Indictments." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973): B2. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1994). Mar 22 1966. Web. 7 Jan. 2012.
  2. ↑ "Sleep Slaps Killed Child, Officer Says." The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973): A7. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Washington Post (1877-1994). Jan 21 1966. Web. 7 Jan. 2012.