MI - Calista Springer, 16, chained to bed, dies in fire, Centreville, 27 Feb 2008

[ljwf22]

CENTREVILLE -- The adoptive mother of a 16-year-old girl who died in a house fire while chained to her bed has pleaded no contest to child abuse/neglect charges.

Marsha Springer's plea in St. Joseph County Family Court is separate from potential criminal charges that could stem from the Feb. 27 fire that killed Calista Springer.

Link: http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2008/08/calista_springers_adoptive_mot.html

Salem, I think your theory is correct.

 

[hoppyfrog]

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/Parents_charged_in_teens_fire_death

1 Dec 08

The parents of Calista Springer will face homicide charges in her death in a house fire when she was chained to her bed.

The February 27, 2008 fire at their Centreville home killed Calista, 16.

Investigators found her chained to her bed in her upstairs bedroom.

Her father, Anthony, and her adoptive mother Marsha will face manslaughter and first-degree child abuse charges and have been ordered to appear in court on December 15 for arraignment. Each charge carries a maximum of 15 years in jail.

 

[JaneInOz]

Pure and Simple it is a CRIME
I write a blog. I write an Adoption Blog. This is nothing on some of the horrors that I have written about that Adoptive Parents do to their adopted Children. So this is not so out there for me to believe.
These people were LAZY and SELFISH
Imagine for ONE MOMENT you are the 16 year old girl as the flames lick at your body searing off your flesh BURNING you ALIVE and you are CHAINED to the bed like an animal by your own Father no less...the one who is supposed to take care of you...
You scream out for him Daddy Help me PLEASEEEEEE HELP ME

? now how do you feel ?

There will be more that will come from this story of the abuse that this child suffered I feel VERY SURE.

 

[JaneInOz]

MY GOD

Well it doesn't surprise me of course.

This is the stuff I write about.

I had not refreshed the page whilst I wrote my post , only to post and then read the other posts and suprise suprise an adoption related MURDER

And That is what it is MURDER.

 

[JaneInOz]

These people were animals

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/03/read_more_here_are_some.html

SNIP

Calista Springer slept her last night in a T-shirt and thin sweatpants, chained to a bed with no sheets, blankets or pillows, a Michigan State Police trooper testified Tuesday.

SNIP

Trooper Trever Slater, who assisted fire investigators on the scene, testified he saw Calista's body in the bed with a dog choke collar around her waist that was secured to the bed rail with a plastic tie.

"I don't believe a person could actually break free of that on their own power," Slater said.

SNIP

After the hearing, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Chuck Herman would not say specifically how long Calista's parents confined her to her bed other than to state it was going on for "several years or more" before her death.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reported last week that a county sheriff's deputy contacted DHS in October 2004 after he received information that Calista's parents were tying her to a bed using a Velcro strap and a dog chain. DHS declined to say what action the agency took.

"When you secure a child to a bed that isn't able to get out, you better have a safety plan," Herman said in court Tuesday. "Apparently there was not. Something's rotten in Denmark."

Some of Tuesday's testimony revealed that Calista was treated differently than her two sisters.

For example, while her bed was devoid of comforts such as blankets, Slater testified Calista's sisters' beds were outfitted with sheets, comforters and pillows

 

[ellieit]

Along with the parents being charged with neglect and murder! The DCF worker should also face trial! Infact the DCF worker should be terminated and then face trail! How many times do children have to die because DCF is not doing their job? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr this makes my blood boil:furious:

 

[froggierintexas]

You know, I just don't understand people. My grandma has Alzh. we take care of her. It is no picnic. While she doesn't run off on us, she does have many other issues including incontinence. For those who have only cared for diapered infants, diapered adults are a whole nother ball of wax. It is far from pleasant to wash sheets, clothing, etc daily. It is far from pleasant to bathe her and clean the floor several times a day in the bathroom. But I cannot imagine not having linens on her bed. I even redid her room with some really expensive bedding because that is what SHE picked out. And we should all have whatever happiness we can find in life.

I cannot imagine not giving a child cute linens or at least some linens. I could not rest my head on a pillow unless everyone in our home could do the same. I could not cover my weary bones at night unless we all could. Having to wash them or whatever excuse they come up with, is just that. I don't care if we have to wash several times a day, she will have all the bedding and linens we have.

As for behavioral problems, I have been hit by my grandma. I have the sense to know if she was in her right mind, she would not do that. I do not chain her to the bed. I do not strike back. I move on. Bad days, good days, you get them both. But it does not give you the right to chain a human being up like an animal.

Sometimes, you cannot care for someone. Not everyone can handle the stress. And sometimes even though you can care for someone, you are stressed. But you still must treat that person with respect and dignity. If you have to pay out of your own pocket for a day of help to take a break and refresh, you do it. If you find that it is too much for you, you beg for help. If you have begged for help and done everything humanly possible to get your loved one into a safe environment where they can be cared for, and this was a last resort, I could almost understand it. But they were warned and offered help. That is more than we have received. We have had one 24 hour period away from her in 7 years. And that was for surgery for me.

Yes, it is true that many families who want help do not get it. We didn't. But we know our limitations and realize that one day we might have to put her into full time care. We would not harm her. We would admit we cannot do it. Why didn't they?

 

[concernedperson]

You know, I just don't understand people. My grandma has Alzh. we take care of her. It is no picnic. While she doesn't run off on us, she does have many other issues including incontinence. For those who have only cared for diapered infants, diapered adults are a whole nother ball of wax. It is far from pleasant to wash sheets, clothing, etc daily. It is far from pleasant to bathe her and clean the floor several times a day in the bathroom. But I cannot imagine not having linens on her bed. I even redid her room with some really expensive bedding because that is what SHE picked out. And we should all have whatever happiness we can find in life.

I cannot imagine not giving a child cute linens or at least some linens. I could not rest my head on a pillow unless everyone in our home could do the same. I could not cover my weary bones at night unless we all could. Having to wash them or whatever excuse they come up with, is just that. I don't care if we have to wash several times a day, she will have all the bedding and linens we have.

As for behavioral problems, I have been hit by my grandma. I have the sense to know if she was in her right mind, she would not do that. I do not chain her to the bed. I do not strike back. I move on. Bad days, good days, you get them both. But it does not give you the right to chain a human being up like an animal.

Sometimes, you cannot care for someone. Not everyone can handle the stress. And sometimes even though you can care for someone, you are stressed. But you still must treat that person with respect and dignity. If you have to pay out of your own pocket for a day of help to take a break and refresh, you do it. If you find that it is too much for you, you beg for help. If you have begged for help and done everything humanly possible to get your loved one into a safe environment where they can be cared for, and this was a last resort, I could almost understand it. But they were warned and offered help. That is more than we have received. We have had one 24 hour period away from her in 7 years. And that was for surgery for me.

Yes, it is true that many families who want help do not get it. We didn't. But we know our limitations and realize that one day we might have to put her into full time care. We would not harm her. We would admit we cannot do it. Why didn't they?

Great post. You address all the issues of caring for someone who is impaired. ITA, there would never be a day that I wouldn't put bed linens on my lady's bed after another day of incontinence. I may chain doors but I would never chain her.

Someone mentioned disability checks and I have to agree. Obviously it wasn't done for love considering her treatment. Even if money was the issue human regard has to come into play or this makes them less than human.

I sincerely feel that they are less than human. The child suffered and there is no excuse for that...none.

 

[JaneInOz]

Great post. You address all the issues of caring for someone who is impaired. ITA, there would never be a day that I wouldn't put bed linens on my lady's bed after another day of incontinence. I may chain doors but I would never chain her.

Someone mentioned disability checks and I have to agree. Obviously it wasn't done for love considering her treatment. Even if money was the issue human regard has to come into play or this makes them less than human.

I sincerely feel that they are less than human. The child suffered and there is no excuse for that...none.

Bold is mine

this is so often the case in murdered adopted/fostered children's cases as well
They get $$$$$ to have them..

And BUT aren't they doing such a loving wonderful thing by fostering/adopting them in the first place ......taking them into their homes as one of their own...these poor little NOTHINGs............

My SARCASM spilleth over...

 

[concernedperson]

Bold is mine

this is so often the case in murdered adopted/fostered children's cases as well
They get $$$$$ to have them..

And BUT aren't they doing such a loving wonderful thing by fostering/adopting them in the first place ......taking them into their homes as one of their own...these poor little NOTHINGs............

My SARCASM spilleth over...

Jane, I know. But you have to keep the faith. You have to know that all are not like that or the system falls apart. Then there is no hope for children. There is a balance where many children get a chance and we hear of the cracks constantly. We don't hear of the successes constantly.

Balance.

:blowkiss:

 

[JaneInOz]

Jane, I know. But you have to keep the faith. You have to know that all are not like that or the system falls apart. Then there is no hope for children. There is a balance where many children get a chance and we hear of the cracks constantly. We don't hear of the successes constantly.

Balance.

:blowkiss:

I'm in a Foul mood so best I not comment now or I will turn this into an adoption thread.
Trust me I know what I am speaking of when I tell you that NO I do not have faith. Adoption is Wrong in so many ways its not funny. There are only a very few that should ever be adopted. True orphans, and abused children (like BABY P) that there is never any hope for to get away from the severe abuse that would result in the childs death as it did in BabyP's case, If he had of been removed and adopted he would be alive.
But then again sadly he could have been adopted by nutters as well.
The world is getting more and more demented every year.

sorry :furious: rant over

 

[gaia227]

These people were lazy and selfish. Pure and Simple. Calista reportedly had mental and physical impairments therefore she was not able to defend herself, she was not able to tell someone how she was being treated and her 'parents' knew this and took advantage of it. They could put Calista to bed with no sheets or blankets with a clear conscience because Calista probably never asked for bedding so they could tell themselves - she doesn't want that. They could chain her to the bed with a clear conscience because Calista didn't complain and they could tell themselves they were doing it for her own safety. They took advantage of her disabilities to make things easier on themselves.

There is no doubt in my mind that the 'mother' did not try to save Calista. She ran out of the house and saved her own life rather than risk it trying to unbind the bounds she herself tied earlier. She knew Calista was in there alive, chained, struggling to get out, she knew that Calista was going to be burned alive and she made a choice to let that happen. I bet the other two daughters got out safe and sound, didn't they?

As far as comments made about these people being animals, humans ARE animals but I get the sentiment and that is insulting to animals. Animals (with few exceptions for certain situations) take care of their young, are attentive to their needs, feed them, bathe them, protect them with their own life, a mother cat will re-enter a burning building over and over in an attempt to save her kittens, they teach their young what they need to know before they reach maturity, they are never intentionally mean or cruel. Humans are the only animal that is cruel for the sake of cruelty. These people were acting Human, explicitly human. I am glad they were charged with homicide and I hope they are convicted. I would also like to see DHS employees who were idle and complacent with the knowledge of how this child was being treated and chose not to do anything face consequences.

 

[ljwf22]

Or rather, her parents' trial starts Tuesday, Oct. 27.

From the Kalamazoo Gazette:
"CENTREVILLE — The trial for the parents of a 16-year-old Centreville girl who died nearly 20 months ago in a house fire, while chained to her bed, is scheduled to start Tuesday with jury selection.

Up to three weeks have been set aside for the proceedings, said Paul Stutesman, the St. Joseph County Circuit Court judge who will oversee the case.

Anthony and Marsha Springer are each charged with manslaughter and child abuse in connection with the Feb. 27, 2008, death of Calista Springer. The teenager died during a fire in the family’s home, where fire investigators found her chained to her bed. The teen’s father has said she had special needs and the tethering was necessary to keep her from leaving her bedroom and the house during the night."

Link:
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/10/trial_starts_tuesday_for_paren.html

 

[Linda7NJ]

Just awful. If they couldnot contain her or guarantee her safety in their home then they should have hired nighttime help or found a (nice) group home for her that could meet her needs. I know that is easier said than done and it must have been hard to parents such a child and I hate to be judgemental b/c special needs children require special people and treatment, but they did have medicaid and SSI at their disposal I am sure to help with costs. Chaining a human being to a bed is unnacceptable and cruel. To die in a fire is awful, especially with no chance to get out of the fire.

Restaining happens in hospitals all the time.

IMO They did the best they could. Medicaid & SSI doesn't begin to cover the financial burden many parents of children with special needs find themselves in.

Clearly, the child needed around the clock care. That's near impossible in a home setting with limited money.

 

[gxm]

From what I've read this sounds like a case of abuse. Has it been stated exactly what Calista's special needs were? In one quote a witness says that she did not appear to be handicapped but she suffered from "fear" and "hunger." It sounds to me like the parents used "special needs" as an excuse to abuse the poor girl.

RIP Calista.

 

[Linda7NJ]

From what I've read this sounds like a case of abuse. Has it been stated exactly what Calista's special needs were? In one quote a witness says that she did not appear to be handicapped but she suffered from "fear" and "hunger." It sounds to me like the parents used "special needs" as an excuse to abuse the poor girl.

RIP Calista.

You may be correct. But then again, many "special needs" children have disorders that can not be seen. I thought perhaps she had Reactive Attachment Disorder. .............or maybe her parents were abused her. Sadly, we'll never know.

 

[gxm]

You may be correct. But then again, many "special needs" children have disorders that can not be seen. I thought perhaps she had Reactive Attachment Disorder. .............or maybe her parents were abused her. Sadly, we'll never know.

I understand that but from what I've read it doesn't appear that Calista was ever diagnosed. It's just her parents word that she had "special needs" and required restraint. It certainly doesn't sound loving or concerned to not seek treatment for your special needs child, instead resorting to home "remedies" that involve zip ties.

It will be interesting to see if the trial sheds any light onto this tragedy.

 

[ljwf22]

From the Kalamazoo Gazette:

"Parents’ murder trial to move in search of fair jury

CENTREVILLE — St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough had been confident a jury could be seated to hear the murder trial of Anthony and Marsha Springer despite extensive media coverage of the case.

But Wednesday, after two days of jury selection proceedings failed to seat a panel, Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman granted a defense motion to move the trial to another venue. Stutesman made his ruling after a pool of 41 prospective jurors was whittled to 11 by 3 p.m."

Link: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/10/update_change_of_venue_ordered.html

 

[crimesandjustice.com]

This is just heartbreaking!

 

[ljwf22]

KALAMAZOO — The murder trial of Anthony and Marsha Springer, charged with the 2008 death of their daughter in a fire while she was chained to her bed, got underway this morning in a Kalamazoo courtroom.


Link: http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette_impact/print.html?entry=/2010/01/springer_trial_under_way_in_ka.html