It could be that he got frustrated with her and hurt her earlier. Sometimes brain injuries cause a slow death. I'm not sure I believe him that he knew she was dead of unnatural causes and got rid of her little body. He left it open as to who hurt her. If she was injured earlier, does it make sense only he knew about it?
As for the charges, I suspect LE is waiting for the forensic report on the items they sent for processing. I think those items pointed to Mariah's death but they have to have confirmation. I think that is why they were searching in areas it was unlikely Mariah could have gotten to on her own.
My heart breaks for these poor children and what they have suffered with abusive men in their lives and mom's who cover for them against their children. Although we don't know the mom covered in this case, the dad alleges that she did in the previous CPS investigation. I'm sure she thought the bf loved her so much he would never hurt her kids. To me, it is common sense that if someone has a temper and a record, they are capable of doing things we can't imagine. Add drugs and/or alcohol into the mix and it can be explosive.
Sadly, this mom will not get the chance for a do over.
ETA: I too, have lost a child. My son died two years ago. I understand the guilt of not being able to save your child even though it was nothing you did or could have prevented. Guilt is horrific always thinking if only I had said this or done that. Just the loss of a child takes you to the deepest, darkest hell. It is a fight just to take the next breath. Sometimes I just wanted to never wake up so I wouldn't have to suffer anymore. It gets better, but time does not heal the loss of a child.
No matter the decisions of this mom, my heart breaks for her. She will never be able to wake from this nightmare.
