Shanda Vander Ark

No new trial for Shanda Vander Ark, who starved teen son to death

Shanda Vander Ark was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the starvation death of her son, Timothy. More

June 12, 2026

‘I didn’t fake anything’: Shanda Vander Ark fights for new trial

A judge is weighing Shanda Vander Ark's bid for a new trial; she is claiming her defense attorney was ineffective at trial. More

March 20, 2026

‘I feel like garbage’: Shanda Vander Ark to return for further testimony

UPDATE: Shanda Vander Ark's hearing for a new trial will be continued to a future date, with Vander Ark expected to testify. More

November 25, 2025

Judge denies Shanda Vander Ark’s motion for a new trial

Shanda Vander Ark's attorney argued his client was unable to participate in her defense after experiencing a 'significant downturn in her mental health.' More

July 25, 2025

Shanda Vander Ark due in court after requesting new trial in son’s death

Shanda Vander Ark is reportedly claiming she wasn't competent to stand trial for the death of her son, Timothy Ferguson. More

July 10, 2025

Monsters in Plain Sight | Accomplice to Murder Podcast

In a shocking case, a mother and son stand trial for the unthinkable. Shanda Vander Ark, once a promising law clerk, now faces murder charges in the death of her own child. More

August 26, 2024

Shanda Vander Ark sentenced to life for son’s starvation death

A judge told Shanda Vander Ark, "You tortured this child," as he sentenced her to life without parole for her son's murder. More

January 23, 2024

MI v. Shanda Vander Ark: Tortured Son Murder Trial

The judge sentenced Shanda Vander Ark to life in prison, plus an additional 50-100 years for child abuse for her son's murder. More

January 23, 2024

Paul Ferguson sentenced for child abuse in death of special needs brother

UPDATE: Paul Ferguson was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to child abuse for the treatment of his younger brother. More

December 21, 2023