GUILTY PA - Max Schollenberger, 12, died of neglect & abuse, Lebanon Co., 26 May 2020 *arrests*

[Breezie]

The Justice for Max fb group just went private. A relative who posted there answered a question about bio mom and said she signed away her rights to max because of drug use.

 

[Breezie]

Could Lebanon County homicide victim Max Schollenberger have been saved?

Two big questions: How were so many people unaware of Max’s existence, and what could have been done to potentially save his life?

The Lebanon County District Attorney says there wasn’t a current or prior Children and Youth Services (CYS) investigation.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Human Services in Harrisburg, which oversees CYS, confirmed that.

 

[TTF14]

This wasn't a breakdown of the CYS system in this case. A breakdown of family relationships is what caused this terrible tragedy . CYS can't possibly keep up with every single child who has a birth record in any particular locale. In our civilized society, we rely on family members for that basic care-task.

 

[JerseyGirl]

A vigil was held in Annville in remembrance of Max Schollenberger on September 20, 2020.

A Light the Night vigil for Max Schollenberger, whose father and his fiance were charged with his murder, was held in Annville on September 20, 2020.

 

[Lusitana]

Could Lebanon County homicide victim Max Schollenberger have been saved?

Two big questions: How were so many people unaware of Max’s existence, and what could have been done to potentially save his life?

The Lebanon County District Attorney says there wasn’t a current or prior Children and Youth Services (CYS) investigation.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Human Services in Harrisburg, which oversees CYS, confirmed that.

It seems like the extended family knew he existed, but they didn't knew where his father moved to with him. Now, if he was not going to school, if the other children in the house didn't say anything about it and if Max wasn't allowed to get out of that room, I can't see how people in the area would've been aware of him.

 

[Jessirummell1026]

That's what i wanna know...who is the bio mom? Is she alive if so where is she in all this?

This poor boy. I can't imagine knowing about a 12-year-old boy and not see him in years. How is that even possible? 10 years is a long time to not have any contact with a child. The grandparents, aunts, uncles or whoever else never even bothered putting a bit more pressure and ask to see or, at the very least, talk on the phone with Max? Nobody thought about requesting a welfare check?
Did his mom pass away? Was she not allowed to have any contact with him?

 

[Lusitana]

That's what i wanna know...who is the bio mom? Is she alive if so where is she in all this?

According to family members, Max's mother signed away her parental rights when he was a little baby. She had/has addiction issues. Check @Breezie's post.

 

[Filly]

According to family members, Max's mother signed away her parental rights when he was a little baby. She had/has addiction issues. Check @Breezie's post.

Sadly Max may have had a better chance at living with a mother with addiction problems. Not condoning drug use, but I bet this poor little boy wouldn't have suffered lke that for years.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Demonstrators from across the state will gather outside the Lebanon County Courthouse Thursday to express outrage over the death of 11-year-old Maxwell Schollenberger.

Thursday's demonstration is expected to coincide with hearings in which Schollenberger's father, Scott Schollenberger Jr., and Scott Schollenberger's fiance, Kimberly Maurer, will enter pleas regarding his death.

The couple is charged with homicide.

The demonstration is planned to begin at 11 a.m. outside the courthouse. Some demonstrators will caravan to the home where Max Schollenberger was found. The day will conclude with a second demonstration outside the courthouse from 5-7 p.m., according to organizers

Group plans demonstration outside Lebanon County Courthouse to voice outrage over death of 11-year-old Max Schollenberger

 

[Lusitana]

Sadly Max may have had a better chance at living with a mother with addiction problems. Not condoning drug use, but I bet this poor little boy wouldn't have suffered lke that for years.

Unfortunately, we will never know that.
Addiction issues don't always translate into abuse or neglect. Many people who are addicts are still kind, compassionate and able to function for the most part. I'm sure many, many, many children are being raised by addicted parents all around the World, and those children are happy, healthy, clean, etc. Addiction doesn't look the same to everyone, and people deal with it differently. I'm a firm believer that violent addicts are violent when they're sober too.
I'm sure Max's mother thought she was doing the best thing for her son, and to me, it seems like she had his best interests at heart. I hope she is getting some sort of support, this can't be easy for her, even if she didn't get to be a mommy to Max.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Annville man heads to trial for allegedly killing son | ABC27

A man is headed to trial for the death of his 12-year-old son; Scott Scott Schollenberger waived his preliminary hearing today.

Almost a dozen people rallied outside the courthouse today in support of Max and hope to prevent future cases like this.

Schollenberger’s fiancee, Kimberly Maurer, is also charged with homicide. Her next court hearing is next Friday.

 

[Filly]

Unfortunately, we will never know that.
Addiction issues don't always translate into abuse or neglect. Many people who are addicts are still kind, compassionate and able to function for the most part. I'm sure many, many, many children are being raised by addicted parents all around the World, and those children are happy, healthy, clean, etc. Addiction doesn't look the same to everyone, and people deal with it differently. I'm a firm believer that violent addicts are violent when they're sober too.
I'm sure Max's mother thought she was doing the best thing for her son, and to me, it seems like she had his best interests at heart. I hope she is getting some sort of support, this can't be easy for her, even if she didn't get to be a mommy to Max.

You are so very right, and expressed this so eloquently. Thank you Lusitana. So sad we will never know.

 

[Breezie]

Max Schollenberger's mom lost custody but thought he was 'in good hands'


She often thinks now of what it might have been like for her son in his home, locked in his bedroom, hungry and alone.

“I just can’t imagine what he went through, watching his brothers and sisters grow and thrive and get birthdays and Christmases while he’s forced to live in a room of his own filth, locked away like some dirty secret," she said. "If it was that bad, why wouldn’t you just give him back?"

 

[Lusitana]

Max Schollenberger's mom lost custody but thought he was 'in good hands'


She often thinks now of what it might have been like for her son in his home, locked in his bedroom, hungry and alone.

“I just can’t imagine what he went through, watching his brothers and sisters grow and thrive and get birthdays and Christmases while he’s forced to live in a room of his own filth, locked away like some dirty secret," she said. "If it was that bad, why wouldn’t you just give him back?"

I feel terrible for her too. She had no reason to suspect Max wasn't being loved and cared for. Poor baby just wanted to be loved, he called his dad's girlfriend mom, and called his mom's boyfriend dad.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Kimberly Maurer's trial in Lebanon County Court will coincide with that of her fiance, Scott Schollenberger.

They're both scheduled for trials on Feb. 22, 2021, in the death of Maxwell Schollenberger, 12, who died in May, court records show.

Kimberly Maurer will face trial in the death of Max Schollenberger

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"When I see what this little boy went through and lived so close to school, where he would've heard children playing, the dad in me says 'this can never happen again,'" Rep. Ryan said.

Which is why he is drafting a bill known as "Maxwell's Law." It would focus on preventative measures to provide education for children, curative measures to improve funding by the state for children and youth services, and punitive measures to toughen penalties for these types of crimes.

"Punishing people more for doing this kind of horrific thing is one thing," Rep. Ryan said. "But the real solution to this is to prevent it. I was absolutely stunned at how easy it is for a child to go missing and no one is then looking for the child. And that, to me, is a major failure of our system."
'Maxwell's Law:' proposed legislation aimed at preventing child abuse | fox43.com

 

[borndem]

I will NEVER understand.

Thank the stars that you don't understand, cocomod!

There may have been 25 "why's" they did it to him in their minds, there may have been only one "why" they did it. Or no reason other than because they could. I don't wanna know.

It might be useful if there is/was a "why" for psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, family MD's, Child Protective Services, child care facility owners and caregivers, etc., might benefit, but those ~parents~ were just plain mean and diabolical.

Where will their other children go, and what effects might they suffer now knowing what they didn't know before? Or was that little boy a "You don't want to end up like him, do you? So you better do what we say," kind of thing to those other children? I don't think the other children knew, but if they did, how will that screw up their minds as they go through the rest of their years? They will find out sooner or later, and they may well need professional help.

Let me stop before I go out into the street and scream...

 

[borndem]

Just for info:

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In February 2015, Governor Tom Wolf, announced a moratorium on executions that is still in effect as of January 2020. However, capital crimes are still prosecuted and death warrants are still issued.

Capital punishment in Pennsylvania - Wikipedia

 

[borndem]

Boy's average weight info:

Average weight of a 12-year-old boy
Twelve-year-old boys most often weigh somewhere between 67 and 130 pounds , with 89 pounds marking the 50th percentile.Jun 13, 2019
What Is the Average Weight for a 12-Year-Old? - Healthline
www.healthline.com › health › what-is-the-average-weigh...

 

[borndem]

It seems like the extended family knew he existed, but they didn't knew where his father moved to with him. Now, if he was not going to school, if the other children in the house didn't say anything about it and if Max wasn't allowed to get out of that room, I can't see how people in the area would've been aware of him.

Sadly, I agree. SMH.
I would assume that the parents told the other children that Max was not living there anymore. If they had said that he was there, but too sick to go to school, the kinds might have mentioned that to someone.

But, but, but -- If they beat him and did I-don't-know-what to him, wouldn't the other siblings know or hear?? I guess little Max was too sick to cry out or to ask for help. It's a real mystery...
I just have no good theories on this horror.