Shanda Vander Ark, 44, was recently convicted of murdering 15-year-old Timothy Ferguson, who weighed just 30kg when he was found dead in July 2022 in the cool closet where he had been forced to sleep, lying on a tarp. (Photo: tribunaltv.com)
An Oklahoma girl suffered traumatic abuse, including being left in freezing bathrooms for extended periods of time by her mother, exposing serious failings in the child protection system.
Timothy Ferguson, a 15-year-old boy with special needs, endured torture from his mother, Shanda Vander Ark, and his older brother, Paul Ferguson, which included harsh punishments, such as eating bread soaked in hot peppers and enduring freezing baths for long periods.
The teenager had a tragic story in an open closet on July 6, 2022. His final, painful moments were marked by his mother’s disdain and calling him “pathetic.”
An autopsy confirmed malnutrition and hypothermia as causes of death, and the coroner classified it as a homicide.
He recounts that while facing judgment, a man asks for clemency after he helped his mother torture and disfigure his body, leading to the latter's death. Or Espelho United States of America.
Timothy Ferguson (left) is pictured with his oldest photograph, Paul Ferguson. (Image: TikTok)
When faced with pictures of her severely malnourished child in court, the killer became even more furious; she was responsible for killing the child.
The child's attorney, Fred Johnson, argued that she did not intend to kill him, suggesting that “something broke” mentally. The increase in the heart's crime not understanding the evil we were inflicting on the victim until it went on.
However, beginning this year, Matthew R. Castle detailed a list of abuses Timothy suffered — including sleep deprivation, ice baths, being forced to vomit, eating spicy food, having Tabasco put in his mouth, strict time limits on his use of it, going to the bathroom, sleeping in a closet, being forced to sit against a wall and being constantly watched.
Guiza Castle said she “knew exactly” she was trying to take steps to ensure others did not know what was happening to her son. Guiza said the killer had hidden the teen two days earlier and did so behind garage doors when Timothy was sent into the area without shoes.
Timothy's death has highlighted gaps in the child protection system. It has been revealed that he had two child protection services during his lifetime and had visited the Ferguson family home nine times.
Timothy's older brother, Paul Ferguson, has also been charged with child abuse. (Photo: Fox 17)
On February 1, 2008, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services began an investigation into both states, focusing on 18-month-old Timothy, based on allegations of malnutrition and medical neglect.
The state will work to refute these accusations, but a social worker noted that the children appeared to be malnourished and underweight. Accordingly, social workers are recommending early intervention support for families with young children with developmental difficulties, and a safety plan has been implemented, which requires or adheres to medical advice from both countries.
Despite continued scrutiny, the case was eventually shelved, and the family remained united. Subsequent investigations raised mostly unfounded concerns, but in 2009, due to serious neglect, including the loss of animals and people, authorities removed the children from the home due to alarming safety concerns.
At this moment, young Timoteo is about three years old.
For two years, the children were placed in an orphanage in their home country – known as Eric and Shanda – in an attempt to resolve their parental lapses. After the home split, the children began counseling and parenting programs to regain custody.
In contrast, he refused to cooperate, telling a social worker that he had “worked hard or was willing to do so.”
Ultimately, the court awarded sole custody to the father and granted his mother supervised visitation. After the divorce, she remarried and moved to Michigan, leaving her children in Oklahoma.
Later, Timothy came to live with his mother in Norton Shores, Muskegon County, Michigan; and one year after this change, he met an early and tragic death.
Shanda Vander Ark, 44, was recently convicted of murdering 15-year-old Timothy Ferguson, who weighed just 30kg when he was found dead in July 2022 in the cool closet where he had been forced to sleep, lying on a tarp. (Photo: Muskegon County Courthouse)
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As close as Timothy could get, Millie Ferguson, speaking on Michigan Live, shared how lovable her new husband was, despite his treatment of his mother. She distanced herself from Shanda and Eric, referring to them simply as “os pais” instead of using the terms “mäe” and “pai.”
“I haven’t referred to her as my mom since I was 14 or 15,” she said, announcing her stance. “It hasn’t been a big part of my life and I’d rather have someone affectionately call me ‘Mae’ when we win that title.”
After a painful trial, Vander Ark faced justice and was convicted of Timothy's death, after his death weighed only 69 pounds, resulting in a life sentence without parole. His 22-year-old son later petitioned the court for clemency, receiving a minimum sentence of 30 years.
