Deseret News | Woman who tortured, killed stepdaughter sentenced to prison; police describe killer as monster

Reader comments
Woman who tortured, killed stepdaughter sentenced to prison; police describe killer as monster

Horrible | 10:29 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

What a horrible existence for such a young person. I don't think anything could be done to these two evil people that would come close to the terror they subjected poor Shelby to. May she rest in peace.

Miss Synthia Forsyth | 10:35 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I personally believe that that lady ought to be locked away forever. Killing a mere child is something that is totally unforgivable. A child of pure innocence didn't deserve such an end as that.

GM | 10:40 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Shelby is an innocent child - a Child of our Most-High God. Her murderer's should both be receive the same punishment they inflicted on her, if not more. They are obviously uncaring very selfish individuals. Having no compassion nor love for this innocent baby girl, they themselves deserve no compassion nor care. I pray they will receive their just rewards for their actions against this child.

Comments continue below

Ethan | 10:39 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

People who commit acts like this on anyone, let alone a child, do not deserve anything. A lifetime sentence in prison would be FAR too lenient. People who willing hurt children and torture them should be completely separated from other members of society.

Parent | 10:45 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

This story about these so-called adults is repulsing. These ï¿½adultsï¿½ surely earned their trip to the big house. However, a lovely little girl had to pay the price. Sad. How sad. Why are so many adults, parents and step-parents at war with children?

Catherine | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Too bad it couldn't have been charged as a capital offense. This one deserves the death penalty. I suppose that is one good thing that came of poor Shelby's suffering... stricter laws for an abuser that kills a child. What horrible things that Shelby had to endure at the hands of that woman! Hopefully the 'life' sentence truly will be life behind bars and not a mere 15 years. Let Angela think long and hard in a tiny cell for the next 40 or 50 years about what she took away from Shelby.

Anonymous | 10:49 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I hope these two waste away in prison and never smell freedom again.

Terry | 10:56 a.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I hope both of these individuals are never paroled from prison. They should rot there. They did the most brutal things to this poor little child. It's very sad to read everything in the confession. They are real sick individuals with no heart. It's too bad someone didn't see what was going on in this family and get her out of the abusive situation before it was too late.

samhill | 12:17 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I wish there were some way to inflict on these two reprobates some measure of what they inflected on this little girl. Hopefully, they will at least serve every day in prison of their sentence, which in this case ought to be their entire lives.

Michelle | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

This whole thing just puts me beyond words. I am so grateful that those two people, who should have protected Shelby, will now spend the rest of their lives in prison (provided the parole board refuses to release them after 15 years).
And it is gratifing that the other children do not have to go thru a trial and re-live this.
Rest in peace, Shelby.

I wonder | 12:32 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I wonder how much hate these two hat bottled up within themselves that they would do this do the child they were supposed to protect. No punishment they will receive in this life will ever equal the punishment God will have for them, even with all his mercy and grace.

Maysa | 12:45 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Life isn't long enough for what she did to that child. I think what she did to Shelby should be done to her.

Lindal | 12:45 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I wish the sentence were much, much harsher!

Kenneth in Texas | 12:58 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

How could something like this avoid capital murder charges? It is clearly pre-meditated and a long way from mere negligence. This is not just murder of an innocent child, it is torture. Perpetrators such as these should NEVER be free in society. They are obviously too sick!

At a loss for words | 1:18 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Let's hope that this woman and also Shelby's father stay in prison for the longest possible time, hopefully life, and not just 15 years, or less for "good behavior". Each time parole hearings come up complete details of their horrific treatment of this little girl need to be retold to the parole board, so that they understand that these people should never be allowed in civilized society again to possible inflict harm on any other human being, or any other living creature.

It would be a travesty if they were allowed out of prison at about the same time Shelby should have been happily going to college, or getting married, or having children of her own.

Atlanta view | 1:57 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Ridiculous sentence for such a horrific crime and on-going treatment of a child. I understand the plea deal's purpose in not wanting the other children to have to testify but sometimes it is just plain necessary to get the perpetrator the harshest penalty available.

Cameron | 2:28 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I would like to thank the judge and the police for side-stepping the usual P.C. song and dance and making an honest and direct statement regarding their feelings toward these people. I shudder to think what else went on if it truly is too graphic to be told to the public, because the acts described in this article already had me chilled to the bone. Bless the surviving children that they might overcome their trauma to the greatest extent possible, and may their departed sister find happiness now in a better place than she left behind.

Anoyn | 2:34 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mary | 2:43 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

i'd never been to Syracuse but remember seeing pictures of Shelby's neighborhood on tv and thought at the time...how could such horrible things happen in that nice looking neighborhood? the picture of Shelby in this article must have been taken before the abuse got more abusive because she looks so happy in the picture. just so sad, very sad...leaves you speechless.

Anonymous | 3:38 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Shows how our society has degenerated over the past several years. Some people are just cold hearted and degenerate. The only worse thing that could happen is if people develop more of a hatred toward them or others, such as these people have. Don't misunderstand me they deserve the death penalty. But our hatred toward them only will hurt ourselves not them.

Accurate | 3:51 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Sounds like the police nailed this one of the head. I'm against capital punishment, but this story makes me think twice...

Her Mom | 3:54 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Obviously she didn't have a dad worth commenting on, but if her mom didn't know about some abuse, she certainly isn't fit to have custody of the others. Was she in any of their lives? if so she would have noticed bruises, if not, does she really care enough to be the guardian?

AEP | 4:09 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Shelby's natural mother is milking it for all it's worth -- not "poor Shelby, what she suffered," but "poor me, poor me, poor me." If she had been a decent, steady presence in her daughter's life, Shelby might have had an ally and might be alive now.

The press shouldn't keep giving the natural mother a platform.

Shawn | 4:13 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I agree with "Her Mom". Where was her mom during all of this? And why does the dad now speak out against Angela? Does he think it will make him look better? I hope that her mom is being watched with the other kids. If there was a question of her having them in the first place (I figure that is why the dad had them), why should she have them now? I truly hope that Angela and father will get the maximum penalty. They only deserve what they gave.

Tom | 4:20 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Can't we just mourn the loss of this innocent human being? How is anger and hatred and talk of killing those responsible going to help what has happened? Of course the stepmother is evil. However, this nonsensical eye-for-an-eye approach is quite contrary to Christ's teachings of Love and Forgiveness. It is ironic that in a state where the majority of people belong to a religion with His namesake, favor the death penalty.

Truly Sad | 4:22 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I thank God that this little girl will never feel abuse, neglect, fear, or pain again. I wish her life could have been free from all of that, I wish she could have known the joy and love other little girls feel in their homes.

The greatest thing a child can feel is love and comfort, and know they are protected. How scary and terrifying each day must have been for her. I truly am sick to my stomach imagining that Hell on earth she endured.

She is literally home and safe with the Savior now!

Abuse of a child is in my opinion the worst crime committed by society. 15 years to life sounds about right to me, death sentence sounds better though (and I am oppossed to the death penalty in most cases).

My prayers go out to the siblings of this little girl - I hope they can recover. God Bless.

MB | 4:35 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Somebody please explain to me where Shelbys real mom was and why was she not doing anything to protect her daughter? I am not trying to be critical but you cant tell me that somebody somewhere was not aware of what was going on. So, I dont mean to be harsh but shame on all adults in this beautiful girls life not just the step mom and her dad.

Anonymous | 4:54 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Thank you "Tom." People have the right to choose. What the stepmother did was not was her choice. I don't agree with her choice but it is not for us to judge. That part is left to Christ.

Horrified | 5:13 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

This is one of, if not the, most horrible thing I can imagine. What I read here makes my heart ache for this little girl in a way one rarely feels. As a paratrooper in the US Army I have seen and heard of many attrocities throughout the world, and this happened in our home state. I am so saddened and hurt that one person could do this to another, let alone a sweet little girl.

I am glad Shelby passed away to a much better place and was freed from this captivity and torture. These people are not human in any way.

May Shelby rest in peace.

Agonizing | 5:31 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I was and am the "bad seed" in my family. However, as an adult, I am free to choose how I will act in my own home. I chose to treat my children entirely opposite. There were people who knew about my situation as a child and expressed repugnation but no one came forward. I was beaten, starved at times and verbally abused. I choose to keep my distance from my childhood family.

I also choose to interrupt & report or do something whenever I do see abuse, but I am only one. I feel there needs to be required parenting classes for all people who give birth and again when their child starts school. Abuse and how to stop it needs to become more of a household word. Civic involvement, Education & counseling must be in place so that this repugnant crime and this beautiful young girl's tragedy will not be repeated.

john in texas | 5:43 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I am a grandfather. This dear child is now in her
Father's loving arms. And as for these two " ------"
they will someday stand before another judge and their punishment in Davis County Utah will be mild when compared with the punishment they will face then. During my 25 years in the criminal justice system in texas, I saw too much of this kind of inhumane treatment towards innocent and precious little ones. Too much. May Heavenly Father give peace to those who knew and loved this child.

Also In TX | 5:46 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

If any monster deserved the death penalty, it is this one. Please send her to Texas and we'll take care of her properly.

A human being | 5:51 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

What happened to that child is more horrific than can be read in any book. I'm glad she is at least away from it and all of the horror surrounding it. I am also glad the police and judge have entered into official court records exactly how horrible that man and woman are. I am glad laws have been changed as a result of this crime to better punish monsters like those two.

The ones I feel most sorry for now are the other children who were forced to live with it. These children now have to live with the most extreme PTSD to rival any abuse survivor. They have to live every day with the horrors they have seen. What is being done for them? Are they in counseling? Have they been completely removed from that environment? Is the media and community going to help them recover or milk them for everything they can? Those children are going to need very long term loving care and counseling. Let us hope that will be provided.

Anonymous | 6:11 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

maybe we can bribe some of the inmates to make life really really bad in prison for these 2 monsters.

leah | 6:14 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

She is smiling in the photo, but abused children are taught to put on a happy face so no one will know what is really going on. crying or telling someone will only lead to more beatings so you learn to shut up and pretend your parents are the greatest in the world. it's better than the abuse that will follow if you don't. adults need to be more aware of bruises or unknown injuries although abusers know to hit where it won't show. provide a relationship of trust with kids you think might be at risk so they have someone they can feel safe in confiding to. you just might save a life. kids can overcome abuse and be productive well adjusted adults and very loving and caring and excellent parents because they refuse to repeat the parenting horrors they experienced. it comes from having healthy role models. i know from first hand experience this is true.

What can you do? | 6:20 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

There are organizations to help prevent child abuse. The National Exchange Club works very hard and donates much time and money to the cause. You can help by volunteering your time as a Parent Aid to help teach at risk parents or to be a friend or big brother/big sister to a child. There are many things you can do.
Take action. I did. I am a member of AmeriCorps and work as the Volunteer Coordinator at our Children's Home Society in Washington. If I can help just one child then Shelby's death and the death of other children like her will not be in vain.

TNCAAREORBUST@YAHOO.COM | 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

HANG 'EM HIGH, APPLIES TO THIS WOMAN. SHE DOESN'T EVEN DESERVE A BED AT THE WOMEN'S PRISON IN UTAH. A VALUABLE WASTE OF UTAH'S TAX DOLLARS. 'NUFF SAID!!

Death penalty | 6:41 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Why use tax dollars to lock these people away? They have inflicted death in the worst way possible, and they deserve the death sentence. What is the point of supporting them for their whole lives?

So Sad | 6:55 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

What monsters to treat an innocent so terrible. They deserve either death or life without parole!

A Mom | 7:17 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

This story just breaks my heart. But where were the neighbors, the teachers, the friends? If this had been going on for so long, why didn't someone notice the bruises, the bite marks, the other signs of abuse? Why didn't someone call Child Protective Services? Why did all these people look the other way?

Re: What Can You Do? | 8:12 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Thank you for the information. When I read this article I couldn't help but shed tears for Shelby, and wish I could go back in time and rescue her. However, in the wake of this we need to focus on what we can do for other children so we don't have to read about this again. I feel that that would do be so much more helpful that sitting at my computer feeling sad for Shelby. There are so many, too many, other like her.

LIN | 8:55 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

THIS IS A SAD STORY,I FEEL SAD FOR THIS YOUNG CHILD SHE IS JUST 10 YEARS OLD

just me | 9:09 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I can't tell anyone why this happened to her, but I can say that when I was growing up, my stepfather was molesting my little sister before she was six. She was on the bottom bunk and I was on the top, and it wasn't discussed because she was so humiliated by it. My brother and I told adults who did nothing, because adults don't listen to their children. I hear kids trying to talk to their parents in stores and in friend's homes, and parents tell their children to be quiet. And when their children have what is to them a huge problem, parents tell them to be quiet and that they don't know what real problems are. So how can kids talk to their parents about someone who is abusing them when their parents won't even listen to them when they talk about how their day at school went?

anonymous | 9:36 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I have a sick feeling right in the pit of my stomach. I'm holding back tears. Shelby is blessed to get to be released from such a terrible life. I suffered similar abuse as a child. I'm now an adult and a mother. No one knows what happened when I was little. My family looked perfect. My mother was admired by all in the neighborhood and had many friends. I wasn't a child. I was a puppet. I became the best little actress in Utah. I said all the right things. I even believed the lie. I had no choice. "Mommy is good", I would tell myself. "I am just a bad little girl. Dirty, stinky, filthy." I am still recovering. I will be on medications the rest of my life. Let me tell the world this one thing: There is just no other path to full healing than Jesus Christ. He can raise a dead soul! He is raising mine. Rest well, Shelby.

Jeff | 10:57 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

Hell is not deep enough for these people. May God have mercy on your sole!

A mother of two | 11:02 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

I can't even describe in words how incredibly upsetting it is to read about these things that happen- This poor little girl lived in hell in her short time here on earth- The only thing that is comforting is to know she is in a better place where she is truly loved-
As for the adults involved in her death, prison is not a severe enough punishment for you-

So sorry! | 11:09 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

To those of you who have written in and have shared your stories of abuse, I am so very sorry for the horrible experiences you had as children. I have often wondered what becomes of children who suffer such hienous crimes, and I am thankful to know that somehow you have been able to survive. Kudos to each of you for making the changes necessary to stop and break the cycle of abuse!!

I have contacted DCFS, bishops, police, and the parents themselves if I have ever seen something that makes me sick in the pit of my stomach. Lost a few "friends" in the process, but as I told each of them "your children's well-being is worth more to me than our friendship!" I'm a great friend, but I draw the line with no qualms when it comes to abuse!!

My hope is that we can ALL put the protection of children before our level of comfort socially. There is no such thing as "none of my business" when it comes to abuse!

Shelby | 11:37 p.m. Nov. 19, 2007

You are wonderful. in a better place and happy. I'm sorry for what you had to go through, i pray your siblings will never forget your courage and always love you and each other too

Friend | 3:14 p.m. Dec. 12, 2007

To those of you who wonder too much.I know Shelbys biological mother and she is a great mother. Shelby did not live with her mother and her husband as they were living with family and trying to settle debts. It seemed to be a better situation for the children to stay with their father in his big home at the time. He had never had a history of abuse in his prior marriage. There was no need for a custody arrangment in the divorce. She did not inten- tionally place her child in harms way. In the Andrews home, family members covered for each other and did what Angela told them to do. And I know there was a lot of excuses given as to why it was not a good time for a visit. I would want to know more on how Shelbys school teacher did not notice anything and report it. She saw her everyday.
You don't have to hide your pain anymore Shelby, for it will be in every tear that is shed for you. You are loved and missed. You changed the world in your small life.

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