How Could You? Hall of Shame-Michael Schumacher, Kelly Lau and Caren Ramirez,Anthony Waiters -UPDATED Bittersweet Justice

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Tracy, California, a teenager identified as Kyle Doe is suing Child Protective Services after being abused in his foster home for years. At age 16, he “escaped in December 2008 to a nearby gym after being hit with a baseball bat, beaten with a flashlight, cut with a knife and chained to a table.”

“Following a plea bargain two months ago, a judge sentenced Michael Schumacher, Kelly Lau and Caren Ramirez to between 30 and 34 years in prison. A fourth defendant, Anthony Waiters, was found guilty by a jury, but his sentencing has been delayed.”

Kyle Doe now lives with an aunt and uncle.

Update: “Anthony Waiters was sentenced to serve three life sentences Monday for the torture and imprisonment of then 16-year-old Kyle Ramirez for more than a year.

Waiters, 31, was the last of the four defendants to be sentenced and the only one to be tried for holding Ramirez captive inside a Tracy, Calif. home, where he was shackled to the furniture beginning in 2007.

The other three defendants included neighbors Michael Schumacher, 36, his wife Kelly Law, 32, and the teen’s then-legal guardian Caren Ramirez, 45. They each pleaded guilty to over a dozen charges in October, and were each sentenced to at least 30 years, the maximum under their plea deals.

The jury convicted Waiters in November of torture, kidnapping, child abuse and false imprisonment. He was ordered to serve the three life sentences concurrently and will not be eligible for parole for 19 years.

Ramirez testified during Waiters’ trial in October that Waiters had cut him, lit his pants on fire and beat him unconscious between 2007 and 2008. Ramirez even recounted for the jury a time when Waiters allegedly cut the teen’s arm and poured bleach on the wound while others held him down.

Ramirez was eventually able to escape by jumping on a backyard trampoline and hopping over a retaining wall, and stumbling into a nearby health club.

Waiters, a former youth football coach, told Superior Court Judge Terrance Van Oss that he was innocent and has love and respect for “Mr. Kyle” and his family.

Prosecutor Angela Hayes said that after the sentencing Waiters was still in denial.

“In his mind he’s convinced himself that he didn’t do those things,” Hayes said. “He knows full well what he did. The evidence is overwhelming.”

Waiters’ attorney said his client is planning to appeal. ”

Kyle Ramirez Torture Case: Anthony Waiters gets Calif. life sentence for year-long torture, kidnapping
[CBS News 3/1/11 by Camille Mann]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 

Update 2:“The story shocked the community and the nation. A boy known as “Kyle” was chained inside a fireplace, beaten, burned and starved during a seven-year period – ending in 2008 when he escaped. Today, attorneys announced he has settled his lawsuit against Sacramento County Child Protective Services for $4 million.

Before Kyle escaped, CPS had failed on at least ten occasions to follow its own procedures or to remove the boy from the abuse, which started in Sacramento and continued to Tracy.

When he escaped, he made his way to a Tracy health club where he asked for help. Employees were shocked at his condition.

Kyle was hospitalized for 10 days for skin graft surgery.

Three people who lived in the home – Caren Ramirez, Kelly Lau and Michael Schumacher and a neighbor, Anthony Waiters are serving prison time for torturing the boy.

His attorneys say Kyle is 22 now and attending college.

In a statement, he says, “I’m doing great, I feel better than ever,” said Kyle. “I’m healthy. I have a roof over my head. I have friends and I have family that love me. I’m happy with where I’m at right now.”

He also says he’s forgiven the people who tortured him.

“I wish them the best with where they are at in life,” Kyle says. “I hope they find their peace.””

Tortured Teen Settles With Child Protective Services[Cap Radio 7/23/15 by Bob Moffit]