Current:Home > MyMichigan woman found guilty of murder and child abuse in starvation death of son-LoTradeCoin
Michigan woman found guilty of murder and child abuse in starvation death of son
View Date:2024-12-23 16:17:50
MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) — A jury on Friday found a western Michigan woman guilty of murder and child abuse in the starvation death of her disabled 15-year-old son who weighed just 69 pounds.
The Muskegon County Circuit Court jury deliberated just over an hour before convicting Shanda Vander Ark, 44, of Norton Shores in the July 6, 2022, death of Timothy Ferguson.
An autopsy determined the teenager died from from malnourishment and hypothermia. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
Vander Ark was sick and not in the courtroom when the jury reached its verdict. She faces mandatory life in prison when she is sentenced Jan. 29.
Vander Ark’s attorney, Fred Johnson, argued his client did not grasp the harm she caused her son and did not know he was starving to death.
However, a Muskegon County deputy prosecutor, Matt Roberts, disputed that notion and said she tortured her son by feeding him hot sauce, putting him in ice baths, depriving him of sleep and locking the refrigerator and food cabinets.
“She killed him. She starved him to death,” Roberts said.
Timothy Ferguson had some mental disabilities and was being home-schooled, prosecutors have said.
veryGood! (29)
Related
- Climate Advocacy Groups Say They’re Ready for Trump 2.0
- Camila Cabello Shares How She Lost Her Virginity
- New York’s high court upholds requiring insurance to cover medically necessary abortions
- Which states could have abortion on the ballot in 2024?
- Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Her Boyfriend
- “Gutted” Victoria Monét Cancels Upcoming Shows Due to Health Issues
- Over 200,000 electric stoves from Kenmore, Frigidaire recalled after multiple fires, injuries
- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi killed in helicopter crash along with foreign minister, state media confirm
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Gov. Moore celebrates ship’s removal, but says he won’t be satisfied until Key Bridge stands again
Ranking
- Top Federal Reserve official defends central bank’s independence in wake of Trump win
- Michigan county refused to certify vote, prompting fears of a growing election threat this fall
- Jennifer Lopez Puts Her Wedding Ring on Display on Red Carpet Amid Ben Affleck Breakup Rumors
- Jennifer Lopez Briefly Brings Up Ben Affleck Amid Split Rumors
- ‘I got my life back.’ Veterans with PTSD making progress thanks to service dog program
- 11 presumed dead, 9 rescued after fishing boat sinks off the coast of South Africa
- ‘Justice demands’ new trial for death row inmate, Alabama district attorney says
- WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal against U.S. extradition, U.K. court rules
Recommendation
-
Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
-
U.S. troops will complete their withdrawal from Niger by mid-September, the Pentagon says
-
2 teens die in suspected drownings after accepting dare, jumping off bridge into lake
-
Dying ex-doctor serving life for murder may soon be free after a conditional pardon and 2-year wait
-
Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE
-
Woman found living in Michigan store sign told police it was a little-known ‘safe spot’
-
The Best Banana Republic Factory Deals To Score ASAP Before Memorial Day: $17 Linen Shorts & More
-
Google all in on AI and Gemini: How it will affect your Google searches