Michigan couple charged with death of 16-year-old girl
Michigan couple charged with death of 16-year-old girl Save Email Print
Centreville, MI
Posted: 12:54 PM Dec 1, 2008
 Last Updated: 4:30 PM Dec 1, 2008
38 comments
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A St. Joseph County, Michigan couple faces manslaughter and child abuse charges in the disturbing death of a 16-year-old girl.

Anthony and Marsha Springer are the father and adoptive mother of 16-year-old Calista Springer.

Back in February the teen died in a house fire in Centreville.

Police say she was chained to her bed.

A chain and zip ties were around her waist, attached to a bolt on the side of the bed.

Police say Calista was a special needs teen who has tried to escape from the home.

They believe the Springers had been chaining her to the bed because they were tired of getting up every time the alarm went off.

The fire was caused by a faulty vacuum cleaner.

Police say child protective service workers had warned the couple in the past against tethering the teen in case of a fire.

Anthony and Marsha Springer will be arraigned on December 15th.
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Posted by: Judy Location: Elkhart on Dec 3, 2008 at 06:33 AM
I am absolutely appaled by what I have read!! CPS actually did allow for this child to be treated the way she was?? What's wrong with this picture?? And the size of a dog chain?? Give me a break!! No matter how you look at it, that child was basically a prisoner not only in her own world, but in her parents world too. I agree, they had no problem cashing the check they received for her. I have no sympathy for anyone who kills a child, even if it is their own. There are too many people in this world that would give ANYTHING to have a child, yet there are idiots like this who don't appreciate what they got!! That child didn't ask to be born!! They both need to FRY!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:33 PM
There aint no walkin even 2 steps in any shoes that justify tying a child to a bed!! Get real! You are just as crazy as those screwed up parents and you make zero sense.
Posted by: Aj Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Anonymous, while I can understand your frustration, people HAVE found ways to deal with this before that are safe. If they didn't, we would see more sad cases like this in the news. Fact is, the parents found an easy way out of an unfortunate situation and paid the price for it. I'm sure taking the time to find another solution, no matter how stressful, would have been better than this outcome--losing a child and facing criminal charges.
Posted by: William Location: Elkhart on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Maybe what I didn't say well enough earlier was that our courts and jails are filled to the brim in our country. These parents may not have been qualified to be parents, but then there's not a test to take before getting pregnant either. They were exceedingly stupid. And you know what, they'll probably always be stupid. Looking at the house, it doesn't look like it was much of a house even before the fire. It's not as though they could ever pay a fine. Plus, I'm fed up with paying to support stupid people in jails. Sure, CPS should be better at what they do. I have a few contacts within CPS. There's not enough time, money or power to do what needs to be done. Should anyone be chained to a bed? Nope. But neither should they be allowed to roam free and hurt themselves. These parents did what they did. It was stupid. Maybe we shouldn't be too surprised that stupid people do stupid things. Burn them to the stake if you wish, but jail and fines won't make them less stupid.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Have you ever cared for a special needs child? If not shut up and quit throwing rocks.I don't agree with tying a child up-but what else can people do to keep a child like this safe? How many of you would babysit or care for a child like this? Have you ever reached out to help another family like this? It's really hard, so until you walk a mile in their shoes shut up.
Posted by: A MOM Location: wherever on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:27 PM
DISGUSTING! No cause for such treatment. An animal could chew through its leash, but a child! GIVE THEM THE MAX, GIVE THE CPS WORKER THE MAX TOO! They should pay for this. "Suffer the children to come unto Me."
Posted by: TP Location: SB on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Yeah Will, they lost that check every month. A special needs person should not have to be tied or strapped down in any ones home. If the problem is that bad then they should be in a hospital or group home where they can get helped by professionals and constant supervision. I am no expert at all but believe that this girl deserved better. She deserved better care. She did not deserve to be in that home. CPS has their share of questions to answer as to why they even allowed her to remain there. The state itself has some questions to answer as far as properly regulating the care for such people with special needs. Hopefully a change for the better will come out this tragedy. Hopefully more attention will paid to related situations.
Posted by: Linda Location: Granger on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:14 PM
In the first place, how is it that the so called mother and father didn't burn up in the house along with the girl. Why couldn't they have gotten her out. I'll tell you why, they did it deliberately. These people should be chained to a bed in a vacant house and it should then be set on fire. What that poor girl must have went through is unimaginable. She probably tried running away because of the abuse she was suffering at the hands of these monsters. A bullit between the eyes would be too good for them because that would end it too soon. They need to suffer, a lot. The fire idea is best. I'd volunteer to light the match.
Posted by: MOM Location: S BEND on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Its amazing..CPS workers in this case YOUR FIRED YOUR FIRED YOUR FIRED. We are supposed to protect our children and when that is not done the parents need to be locked up and the CPS workers also Fired from THE BOTTOM UP..REVAMP it today,,, not another child needs to be hurt TODAY TODAY TODAY DO SOMETHING......
Posted by: Mary Location: Buchanan on Dec 2, 2008 at 11:12 AM
The guardians of this child were obviously unequal to the challenge of caring for her, but the state no longer has the resources to provide the shelter that many cognitively impaired adults need. State mental institutions were closed by the 1980s because they were costly and ineffective, but they did provide a safe place for those who had no one to care for them. Wandering is a big problem for many adults and children with special needs, and caring for them is not simple. The reality is that someone you love may be a danger to themselves for this reason, and worrying about their safety is a 24 hour nightmare.
Posted by: disgusted Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Reading stories like this....jesus people really. My fiance has recently become pregnant, and their is a high chance our child will be autistic (being i have a brother who is and so does she) and if i EVER begin to tie my child to a god d$%m bed somebody please just walk up to me and kill me. This is terrible, i couldnt even dream of this! That was a child, a defensless little girl, she tried running away?! NO crap, look at what was happening to her. And whats this, the child protective services knew!?!? oh let me guess they showed the parents exactly how to tie the chains around this girls waist. Kill the parents and the workers involved, burn em all. My thanks to god, as terrible as the story is, at least this girl is free from her torment now, for once in this young girls short life she can finally be at peace. people, if you cant take care of kids, DONT HAVE THEM, and this bs about they tried, ya, tried every torture technique in the book eh?
Posted by: foster parent on Dec 2, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Margaret if you read the article no where did it say they were foster parents! It said her father and adoptive mother(which could mean step mother and biological father)The per Diem foster parents get, if you were really informed is not enough to care for the children placed in our homes, so it can't be for the money, most of the time, the children come with nothing but the clothes on their backs. We dig into our own money to care and provide for the children in our home. Care and love them as if they were our own to let them go. You shoulnd't catergorize people in what you don't even know!! As far as CPS and Michigan, yeah unfortunitly sounds like they weren't doing their job, why tieing up a child would be acceptable, is beyond me! Shame on them. The foster program does need to be reformed. Bio parents get too many chances and some foster parents shouldn't be foster parents! Do not catergorize everyone, some of us really do care about these children that are God's precious miracles!
Posted by: Anonymous Location: SWMI on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Ashley in dtown....before you post and reference someone else, at 3:17, I never said I felt sorry for the parents! In fact,I stated that I hope the "parents" get the maximum penalty. Notice the reference to "parents"...what person would chain a child, let alone a special needs child to a bed. The disheartening evidence is that CPS "warned" the parents. Which brings me to the comment of children slipping through the cracks and CPS closing their eyes and brushing things under the carpet. Too many children continue to suffer.
Posted by: Me Location: BH on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:09 AM
So, CPS obviously knew what the parents were doing, if they had previously warned them not to......Hmmmm. Can anyone say CPS not doing their job?
Posted by: saddy Location: snider on Dec 2, 2008 at 08:02 AM
when my son was a baby he got sick he was in the hospital for a few days i went home one time to check on my other kids and take a showier when i returned the nurses had placed him in a cage like crib i went crazy they said he keep climbing out i didnt care to keep someone locked up or chained is dangerouse you never know what can happen
Posted by: Margaret Location: South Bend on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:54 AM
This is so typical of how CPS works and the foster parent program. I tis all about money. So many times the courts will give the kids back to the biological parents and then they wind up dead. This time the foster parents did it and what is even worse is that CPS KNEW about it. That young girl was not a wild animal that needed to be tethered. I would not even do that to my dogs. CPS needs to be overhauled and investigated and the foster parent program needs to to be investigated.
Posted by: Kelly Location: SB on Dec 1, 2008 at 10:29 PM
William in Elkhart--are you serious? Why don't we just say 'Oh well..." to all crimes. I'm sure everyone has a good reason to commit them. You, my friend, are part of the problem.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 09:34 PM
This is another example of the family court system in Michigan failing the children. The family court system (CPS included) needs to be revamped from the top down!
Posted by: Deb Location: Rome City on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:36 PM
In a way, you all are missing the point. I do home health care, MENTALLY disabled adults. IN NO WAY would one even begin to LOCK a door!Not only would I get fired,it is against their rights and in humane! One would have to find out whythe person was was trying to run away constantly, then figure a way to convince the person why running is not the best option. I would say tho in this case since the teen was being chained to her bed and a habitual runaway, it sure leads me to believe she was very much abused in other ways. SO SOOORRRY it is too late for this young girl. I can only hope the state prosecutes these 2 imbeciles and lock THEM away. AND the service workers who knew they had chained her to the bed in the past, should also be brought up on charges. For it was PLAIN ABUSE. They should have removed the girl instantly! IF they aren't PLZ plz fire them. And then shame on the court system for NOT pressing charges against THEM. Were they not sposed to protect her from abuse?!
Posted by: me on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:52 PM
I have a special needs 16 yr old. I couldnt even imagine strapping her into a bed. This is sick. I do not get a check for my child. So not all do. A group home would have been better for this angel.
Posted by: ashley Location: dtown on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:40 PM
anonymous @ 3:17- are you kidding me you feel bad for these parents... they killed there daughter and you feel bad for them? wowowowow my sister is special needs and i would never think to chain her to a bed for any reason.
Posted by: a mom Location: USA on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:36 PM
This story is so sad. What makes is even sadder is the fact that "CPS warned the parents about tethering this child". That should make them(the people who documented this) accessories to this child death. Why did they not protect her? Firing them from their job would not be justified. Charging them with child neglect would be one option. I am sure there are others that would fit this crime. The parents need to punished to the fullest also, NO plea bargains to any of the guilty people here. No one seemed to hear this girls plea. She may have been alive today if she was not with these people and the case workers would have been more caring and involved. This story sickens me. People, love your children, that is just what they are, children. If you need a break or just can not handle them then ask for help from family, friends, co-workers, anyone who you feel will help, before life gets to this point.
Posted by: Jeff Location: Bronson MI on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:55 PM
There needs to be an investigation into why Child Protective Services can not keep the children in the State of Michigan safe.
Posted by: a on Dec 1, 2008 at 06:26 PM
I hope that couple get's prison for life..NO SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD NEEDS TO BE TREATED LIKE THAT..NO ONE
Posted by: dtown on Dec 1, 2008 at 05:55 PM
these motherf@!#$@#s should be burned to death... my sister is special needs and i would kill someone if they did that to her!!!! there are better ways to deal with a problem than chaining her to the bed!!!!!
Posted by: dave Location: goshen on Dec 1, 2008 at 05:48 PM
If a child is in such bad shape, that she needs to be tethered to a bed, and child services know that, how can the innocent child be left in the home? This was not to anyone's benefit. Now you have a death, that should have never happened. A sad story indeed.
Posted by: William Location: Elkhart on Dec 1, 2008 at 05:24 PM
This is such a sad story. I wonder how "evil" there parents really are... Maybe they're just really tired. (No, it's not an excuse.) Was it an accident? A bad decision? Look, it's a loss to the parents too. I don't think we should be too quick to judge them. They tried. There are a lot a bad parents out there. AS to giving the parents (or CPS) a penalty... is any judgment from the court going to be worse than the loss of a child? Let it go. BTW, I would never have guessed that there was such a device that electronically unlocked the door in case of fire. Thanks, King Tech!
Posted by: Mary Location: Mish on Dec 1, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Give these two the max. Murder 1 with no chance of parole. They had no business caring for this girl.
Posted by: Anon Location: Oc on Dec 1, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Maybe they should tie them down and set the room on fire. Eye for an eye.
Posted by: Shocked on Dec 1, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Child protective service workers warned the couple in the past against tethering the teen. Did I read that right??!! I thought they were supposed to PROTECT children from this type of treatment. All I can do is shake my head in sad disbelief.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: SWMI on Dec 1, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Another example of a special needs child slipping through the cracks of CPS! I hope the jury gives these "parents" the maximum penalty!
Posted by: King Tech Systems on Dec 1, 2008 at 02:59 PM
that is just horrible, you know they could have but in an electronic door latch that would unlock the door in case of fire....
Posted by: what? Location: sb on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:42 PM
So CPS was aware that she was being tied down? And this was ok? But just be careful in case of a fire??? Disgusting.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:24 PM
How God awful. My sympathy goes to the father and mother of this poor child. May she always rest in peace.
Posted by: Danielle Location: that one place on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:19 PM
dude, those people should get their asses kicked yo.
Posted by: TP Location: SB on Dec 1, 2008 at 01:09 PM
They were tired of having to get up and take care of their responsibility? They had no problem cashing that check they got for taking that child in. Its a shame these people took on such a responsibility if they were not willing or able to provide and give the proper care for the girl. It was all about collecting the check. My heart goes out to the victim, what a sad tragedy.

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