Mother who allegedly gave disabled son ice baths and starved him charged with his murder

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. (TCD) -- A 43-year-old mother has been arrested after her disabled teen son died of malnutrition and hypothermia.

According to a news release from the Norton Shores Police Department, on July 6 shortly after 6:30 a.m., officers responded to the 4000 block of Marshall Road to a report of a suspicious death. At the scene, authorities reportedly located the deceased teen victim.

The medical examiner determined that the 15-year-old victim, Timothy Ferguson, died from a combination of malnourishment and hypothermia, Michigan Live reports.

Upon further investigation, authorities reportedly learned that Ferguson’s mother, Shanda Vander Ark, subjected her son to ice baths as a form of punishment. He was even given an ice bath the day before his death, according to Michigan Live.

Prosecutor Matt Roberts reportedly told the judge, "The investigation subsequently revealed that Shanda Vander Ark had a number of punishments that frankly were just beyond the pale in terms of what should be administered to a child."

Roberts added, "Most notably, the denial of food to the child, feeding the child nothing but bread and bread soaked in hot sauce and hot sauce poured down the child’s throat and placing the child in an ice bath."

Ferguson also allegedly suffered from mental disabilities and was homeschooled.

According to Michigan Live, the victim’s father lives in Florida and did not know about the alleged abuse.

A 7-year-old child along with a 20-year-old reportedly live in Vander Ark’s home as well, but they did not appear to suffer abuse.

Vander Ark was arrested July 7 and charged with homicide, records show. She remains held in Muskegon County Jail without bond. Vander Ark is reportedly scheduled to appear in court July 28.

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