DELTONA, Fla. — The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VSO) says a man suspected of abusing a 5-year-old boy has been located and detained. After detectives uncover a horrific story of child neglect, abuse and torture, the child’s mother also faces 25 charges. A Central Florida couple are facing multiple counts of child abuse for allegedly abusing a 5-year-old toddler. Shawn Stone, 32, has been in custody since May 9 on one count of aggravated child abuse, and now faces 23 other charges. charges of abuse and neglect, according to the sheriff’s office.
Taylor Schaefer, 28, is also being held on 25 similar charges after police said she knew of the assault, witnessed it and did nothing to arrest or report it. According to their research, the charges were inspired by the boy’s own words and those of other witnesses. The couple’s arrest was greatly aided by footage captured by the home’s CCTV cameras. After “feeling” her partner, Stone, was abusing their 5-year-old, Schaefer allegedly called 911 to report the incident. Schaefer’s suspicions were validated after reviewing surveillance footage, according to the sheriff’s office.
As the investigation progressed, officers said they uncovered additional tapes of the youngster being beaten while Schaefer was present at the home. On other occasions, he was limping and obviously hurt in her presence, but she did nothing to help him. The man had 46 external injuries, as well as internal injuries such as a fractured skull, according to the doctors and nurses who treated him.
The sheriff’s office claimed the youth was frequently disciplined by not receiving meals and that such abuse was documented on film. Another youth in the residence was allegedly beaten with various household objects, doused with boiling water and forced to drink boiling water. This youngster also saw the brutality of the aggressor towards the young victim. Further investigation revealed that a third child victim at home was also the victim of ongoing abuse and neglect and was not receiving needed nutrition or care for a major medical condition.
Aggravated child abuse, neglect, false imprisonment, failure to report child abuse, conspiracy to commit these offences, as well as tampering with evidence and witnesses, are just some of the charges. against the pair. On Friday afternoon, while still being held without bail at the Volusia County Jail, Stone was charged with his new offenses. Schaefer was arrested Sunday night in Pasco County, Florida on outstanding VSO warrants. On the day of Stone’s initial arrest, the children were taken from the house.
