Shanda Vander Ark and Paul Ferguson were accused in the death of Shanda Vander Ark's 15-year-old son, Timothy Ferguson, who police found dead and severely malnourished inside the family's home. Shanda Vander Ark Vander Ark, who had been working as a law clerk for the Newaygo Circuit Court up until her arrest, was guilty of first-degree murder and child abuse charges. Her eldest son Paul Ferguson was guilty of one count of first-degree child abuse in his brother's death. Timothy Ferguson, weighed just 69 pounds when he was found on July 6, 2022 in an ice bath, dead, malnourished and showing significant signs of abuse. A medical examiner determined the boy died from malnourishment and hypothermia. As punishment Shanda Vander Ark and Paul Ferguson allegedly subjected Timothy Ferguson to ice baths, restrained him with shackles and zip ties and starved him for a month. Paul Ferguson admitted giving his younger brother an ice bath the day before his death, leaving him in the tub for at least four hours. Paul, who is expected to testify against his mother, said he did it only because Vander Ark told him to.