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Man gets 22 years in prison for beating foster child to death
Man gets 22 years in prison for beating foster child to death
Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers Posted August 19, 2007 http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbc.../70819048/1979 JUNEAU — Beth Kiningham and Ashley Mundt share a heartbreaking bond: Both women have lost their sons – one to the correctional system and the other to an early grave. Sitting across the aisle from Mundt in a packed courtroom Friday in Dodge County, Kiningham dabbed her eyes as her son, Shane Marquardt, was sentenced to prison for the beating death of Mundt's 3-year-old son, Camron Gardner. "Last Christmas, I missed my son because he wasn't here," Kiningham told Mundt from the stand, "but I know you miss your son more. Sometimes I feel like I lost my son, but he's still alive." Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Bissonnette sentenced Marquardt to 22 years in prison, followed by 18 years of extended supervision for delivering the fatal blows that claimed the life of the Beaver Dam toddler. Charges against Marquardt for first-degree reckless injury for severely injuring Camron's then-2-year-old brother, Ethan Schwartz, were dismissed and read into the record as part of a plea bargain agreement with Marquardt's attorney, Mary Lou Robinson. The Waupun man was found guilty earlier this year of punching his foster children, Camron and his younger brother, Ethan, in the stomach after he flew into a rage upon discovering that the older child had vomited in his bed. A trust betrayed "You volunteered for this job and were paid to protect these children," District Attorney Steve Bauer told Marquardt during the sentencing proceeding. "Unlike a biological father, you had a lot of resources. You could have said ultimately that you had enough and didn't want the kids anymore and Social Services would have been out there that day and the kids would have been gone." Robinson said Marquardt's life had been in a downward spiral long before the beating death of Camron on May 5, 2006. A battle with testicular cancer, loss of employment and tightening finances were blamed for pushing Marquardt to the breaking point. "He was a desperately sad and broken man," said Robinson, who attributed the fatal beating to a psychotic episode experienced by her client. Broken lives Holding the large punching bag that hung in the basement at Marquardt's home, Bauer described how Marquardt confessed to lining the two small boys up in front of him and punching each of them in the stomach with his fist as hard as the 32-year-old pummeled the sturdy bag. Camron's great-grandmother Pat Cramer said the images of the toddler's last minutes of life continue to haunt her. "Every time I think of the torture he and Ethan went through, I am so filled with anguish," Cramer said. Pointing a finger at him, Sarah Thompson accused Marquardt of denying her young cousin, Camron, the chance to survive. "You could have called for help. You could have told the truth but you didn't," Thompson said. "You deliberately took him from us and I hope you see him every time you close your eyes and remember what you did to him." Minutes after the beating, Camron began showing symptoms of distress. Only when the child began losing consciousness did Marquardt phone for help, according to court records. "It bothers me that Shane did nothing to help," said Marquardt's ex-father-in-law, Dan Gitzel. "If he had, Camron would have had a chance. By not saying anything, he had no chance at all." After attempts by emergency room staff at Waupun Memorial Hospital failed to revive Camron, Ethan began displaying the same symptoms as his brother. Still, Marquardt said nothing. "Not only does he watch one child die, he's starting to watch the other one die and he still doesn't step up to the plate and take responsibility for his actions," Bauer said. "In his attempt to cover up his actions, he delayed proper medical care." The pain goes on Wearing a shirt bearing an image of a grinning Camron, Tabitha Orley spoke on behalf of her sister, Ashley Mundt. "In a week, Camron would have turned 5. Now he'll never go to school or make friends," Orley said. "And Ethan isn't the same anymore. He still cries for his brother. When it rains out, he puts a blanket outside for Camron or releases balloons up into the sky for his big brother. He'll never see his brother again. All he can do is visit Camron's rock (gravestone)." Prior to addressing the court, Marquardt asked if he could read a letter he has sent to Camron's mother. Mundt, who has refused the letter, stood up and left the courtroom. "I've hurt a lot of people by taking the life of a little boy that everyone loved so much. I hate myself for it and it tears me up every day. I can never tell you enough how sorry I am as I look at your pain-filled faces," said Marquardt, looking towards the victim's family members, who refused to make eye contact. "I live in shame every day. I know my actions were violent and horribly selfish. I can only face myself with shame and self-hatred." Justice for Camron Taking Marquardt's prior clean record into account, Judge Bissonnette challenged Marquardt to move forward with his life. "When I send someone to prison like you, I don't intend to write you off or warehouse you. I expect you to continue to use your God-given gifts whether you're in prison or on the street," Bissonnette said. Robinson argued that a lengthy prison sentence would not serve to assuage the grief of the victim's family nor her client. "There's no reason he couldn't be on probation the rest of his life and pay restitution from his income indefinitely," said Robinson, drawing an audible gasp from the Gardner family. "How can anybody kill someone and not expect to get any time," said great-aunt Sandy Arneson with an incredulous look. Bauer, who recommended the maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, said Robinson's recommendation was "ridiculous." "My recommendation was more in line with reality, although I feel the sentence handed down today was appropriate," Bauer said. "You have to remember the young child. Mr. Marquardt will be out and still have a life at age 55. Camron will never have a life. He will always be 3 years, 7 months and 12 days old." Filed by the Fond du Lac Reporter CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA WIRETAPPING PROGRAM.... CPS Does not protect children... It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even killed at the hands of Child Protective Services. every parent should read this .pdf from connecticut dcf watch... http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US These numbers come from The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN) Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS *Perpetrators of Maltreatment* Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59 Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13 Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241 Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12 Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING HUNDREDS OF INNOCENT FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON... BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION... |
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