Overview

• Shanda Vander Ark, a Michigan mother, was found guilty of murder and child abuse for starving her disabled 15-year-old son, Timothy Ferguson, to death.
• Vander Ark was not present in the courtroom to hear the verdict as she was ill.
• During the trial, Vander Ark vomited on the stand when shown pictures of her son's emaciated body.
• Timothy Ferguson, who weighed only 69 pounds at the time of his death, was subjected to regular abuses such as being fed hot sauce, put in ice baths, restrained with shackles and zip ties, and deprived of sleep.
• Vander Ark's older son, Paul Ferguson, testified against her, admitting to carrying out many of his mother's abusive demands.