122: Shanda Vander Ark: Mother Who Tortured, Starved & Murdered Her Son

In July of 2022, a 15-year-old boy was found dead. The police were called to his home, and when officers arrived, what they found was a horrifying scene. The 15-year-old boy was emaciated, weighing only 69 pounds. He was also showing signs of malnutrition, and hypothermia.

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Sources:
WZZM13
Court TV
Muskogen County Court Documents
CBS
FOX 17 West Michigan News
WOODTV8

Audio Credits:
Court TV
Muskogen County Records

Excellent podcast

Do they ever question the father? Loving the podcasts keep up good work I catch it on audible and you tube but prefer listening it has more in depth deep dives into cases

Good coverage

I just started listening to your podcast. I've tried a few and it's not always easy to follow. I like your podcast, your style of delivery without a whole lot of chatter, your pov and your expressions that you share.
I followed this story for a bit and it's just appalling. Timothy is now at peace.

Timothy's story

I have watched almost all of the coverage of this case available and it still seems so incomplete. As a child abuse survivor, a mother, and as a mother who lost abruptly lost an adult child I found myself so disgusted with Shanda's attorney's "excuses" for what she put that innocent child through. I think Shanda's own testimony was the most revealing and more of her absolutely absurd "explanations" should've been included. I think even Paul's own involvement in Timothy's torture was more proof of Shanda's abuse of her children. It was obvious Paul suffered from some type of mental disabilites or challenges also and Shanda manipulated him and terrified him as well. I agree that he clearly desired her praise but his interrogation videos showed how badly she had manipulated him too. For someone so smart, as everyone repeatedly pointed to when explaining Shanda, she said some of the stupidest things I've ever heard. The only thing that was glaringly obvious about Shanda was her narcissism and complete lack of any human empathy or decency. She NEVER actually got sick in court either, it was all just more attention seeking and her attempt to control what was being said about her. There's just no excuse for monsters like her.
RIP Timothy, I pray he has finally found some peace and love now.