A western Michigan woman convicted of murder and child abuse in the starvation death of her disabled 15-year-old son, who weighed only 69 pounds, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ta.
Shanda Vander Ark, 44, of Norton Shores, who was convicted in the July 6, 2022 death of Timothy Ferguson, will receive an additional 50 to 100 years in prison for first-degree child abuse. was sentenced to .
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“Throughout this case, I have tried to wrap my head around why someone would do such a horrible thing, not only to another human being, but to their own child,” Judge Matthew Cassell said. said. “…You intentionally and systematically tortured this child. Call it what you will. This is torture. You tortured this child.”
A Michigan woman has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the death of her 15-year-old son.
Prosecutors said Timothy Ferguson had some sort of mental disorder.
Nolan Ferguson, the victim's younger brother, testified that “if she can't get her brother back,” her mother “shouldn't get her freedom back.”
Vander Ark, wearing orange prison togs, refused to speak when given the opportunity, instead shaking his head to indicate “no.”
Vander Ark's attorney, Fred Johnson, said his client brought Timothy into her home as she worked as a single mother and was enduring school and the challenges that come with it.
“This is a survivor. This is someone who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps,” Johnson said. “We don't see evil, we see disease.”
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The victim's other brother, Paul Ferguson, was also charged with first-degree child abuse in the case. He is expected to plead guilty in December 2023 and be sentenced in late February.
