Calista Springer

Calista SPringer

If you know anything about Calista Springer then you should also know she was in a home that she should have never been placed in. Calista was born May 22, 1991.

 

In 1997 Norma Swegles, Calista’s mother tried to get custody of her and she had always taken an active role in her life up until the age of 9 months when her father refused to let her see her mom. Norma told the court Calista was malnourished and was being abused. Anthony Springer denied these actions and the court believed him. He filed to have her parental rights permanently denied and the court ruled in his favor in May of 1997. Calista was given to her father and Marsha as an adopter at 6 years old. It was never said why Norma was not a fit parent. Anthony and Marsha had 2 more daughters a couple years later.

 

In 1999 Marsha, Calista’s step-mom who was legally blind from diabetes went to court and filed for a personal protection order against Anthony. She told the judge that he was threatening them and treated the girls badly. In Marsha’s own words she said;

 

“Tony never has a kind word to say to the girls and has never told them that he loves them. It’s just constant yelling to shut up, get out of my way and get out of my sight” “He doesn’t see any need for counseling for himself or our marriage” “My children and I need help getting out of this vicious cycle. It is only a matter of time before the children and myself become the physical targets in these rages. The fact that I am blind, having very limited sight in one eye I feel without a protection order in place Tony will do great bodily harm to me or my children”

 

Calista Springer with her sisters

In the 4 page letter that she wrote she described a life of misery for herself and the children, she said Anthony was always angry and full of rage. She states he went from job to job never staying very long. She also said he was more interested in spending his money on his hobby rather than his children. He also suffered Bipolar disorder, ADD and depression and he never took his medication.

 

Marsha also said that Anthony had been violent on many different occasions, she said one time he ripped the phone out of the wall during an argument and another time he put his fist through the window. He would also force her to have sex when she didn’t want to. He collected road-kill, boiled the meat off their bones and then put their skeletons back together. She said he became obsessed with this and it was all he would talk about.

 

The order of protection was granted on June 28th 1999 but was dropped 2 months later.

 

Calista began telling her friends, teachers and anyone else that would listen to her that she was being beat and chained to her bed. She told them horrors of being forced to use a bucket to use the restroom in and eating glue. Calista would go days without bathing and was made to wear dirty clothes.

 

People tried for years to help her, they would feed, bath and even gave her clothes. There were 15 reports of abuse. Sue Gest wrote a letter to U.S. Rep. Fred Upton of St. Joseph in 2004 saying “Someone needs to help her. Does she need to die before anyone listens.”

 

Mr. Upton contacted MI. DHS and was told that she was being cared for.

 

Calista was eventually pulled out of school and began homeschooling. It was said that she had a eating disorder called PICA that caused her to eat non-food items.

 

Calista Springer

CPS was involved with the family and had warned the family not to tie her to the bed. CPS even said it would be a tragedy if there were ever a fire and Calista couldn’t save herself. Anthony and Marsha chose to not listen though and put a dog’s choke collar around Calista’s wast and zip ties on her to tie her down. They said they had “no choice” and it was for her and their “safety”.

 

Anthony Springer’s own mother, Suzanne Langdon, who had been estranged from him for some tome called and reported her son to CPS and was told;

 

“During her first three years, we had a lot because Tony was going to Western Michigan University. It was about 10 years ago that we saw marks on and we reported it to CPS. We were told to stay out of it, that it was none of our business”

 

The woman who wrote that letter was the parent to one of Calista’s friends. Her daughter showed her letters FROM Calista where she described herself being tied up, chained and forced to use the bathroom in a bucket. The letter the mom received back from DHS stated:

 

“This notice is being sent to you to inform you that your complaint of child abuse or neglect has not been accepted for investigation. The reason is: The allegation was essentially the same instance as an allegation previously reported and investigated”Children’s Protective Services Supervisor Cindy Bare

 

Springer home

On February 27, 2008 everyone’s nightmare came to life. According to Marsha she was vacuuming in the living room that morning when she smelled smoke, she says she turned the vacuum cleaner off but then resumed cleaning a moment later. She smelled smoke again and turned if off and went to the kitchen, upon returning she saw smoke so she grabbed the fire extinguisher but couldn’t get the pin out. By then the fire was out of control and all she could do was get out and save her self. The dog made it to. Calista was still in her upstairs bedroom and did not make it out.

 

Anthony stood outside his home that evening in shock and told reporters “She liked to draw, paint, color…” said Springer, his voice trailing off. They were already in the process of moving out of that home because they had lost it to the bank. He also said the family would now most likely move out of town because of the bad memories.

 

Of course this was before investigators found out that Calista was chained to her bed upstairs and helpless.

 

The police did not find a fire extinguisher and a neighbor said Marsha told them that she went in the kitchen for a pitcher of water to put the fire out and the vacuum exploded in her face. Marsha also was suffering from burns to her hands and face.

 

Trooper Trever Slater found the girl in bed with a dog collar around her waist and tied to the bed with plastic ties. “She wasn’t even given sheets, blanket or a pillow.” He said. Reports would later show she died of smoke inhalation. The fire never made it to her.

 

Anthony and Marsha’s other 2 girl’s were removed from the home and placed with family members as fosters.

 

A hearing was held and the Michigan Department of Human Services decided it was in the best interest of the girls, then 12 and 14, to put them back into the custody of their parents. The judge did not agree and left them as a ward of the state but did allow the Springer to have visits with them.

 

In August 2008, Marsha Springer pleaded no contest to charges of abuse and child neglect. The charge was separate from the charges she was facing from Calista’s death.

 

Anthony denied all charges that he abused or neglected his daughter at all. Police said that he was not home at the time of the fire. Police aren’t sure if he knew that Calista was tied to the bed upstairs or how long she had been there. He told the court that Calista was a special needs child and she would take off in the middle of the night. She was only tied up for a short time for her own safety and because an alarm that had been used to monitor Calista, was broken.

 

In September of 2008, Anthony submitted papers to the court that stated there was no abuse or neglect when his daughter died in the fire. He said that in 1997 it had been determine that his daughter would never have impulse control or be able to use good judgment. He also used a report to show that CPS approved of him restraining Calista in her room so she could not hurt herself or others. That report allegedly claimed she would destroy everything in her room and put nails and razor blades in her mouth.

 

He also said he never expected Calista to do anything with her life and the best he hoped for was for her to live in an adult facility.

 

In December of 2008, Anthony and Marsha Springer were charged with manslaughter and first-degree child abuse.

 

In January of 2009, Prosecutor John McDonough, who took office in January 1, 2008 said that he reviewed the the case and was changing the charges to felony murder and torture. If they are found guilty, they could both face life in prison. The original charges were filed by Prosecutor Doug Fisher and the original charge of first degree child abuse will stand. He reported;

 

“I think we just had different opinions on some of the evidence. Myself and the three assistant prosecutors, as well as Detective Scott agree on the charges that we brought yesterday afternoon”

 

Calista Springer Memorial

A letter sent from Chris Kadulski, director of DHS, in response to U.S Rep. Fred Upton, said that the department had been involved with the family since 1995 and that Calista suffered from a disease known as Pica, which caused it’s victims to crave and eat things other than normal foods;

 

“Most of the complaints we receive center around Calista’s behavior caused by her disease and her parents’ efforts to control her. It is our belief that Calista is cared for adequately by her parents; however, if we receive any new allegations of abuse and/or neglect, we will conduct an investigation”

 

These were just some of the complaints from people who tried to help Calista;

 

• Calista was forced to stand or sit in a square marked by tape in the living room; if she didn’t, she was forced to place her nose on a piece of tape on a wall, sometimes having to stand on her tiptoes to reach it.
• She ate dinner sitting on the floor and, when fed, was given small portions. One friend said she was treated “lower than the animals.”
• Calista was rarely allowed outside of her home. When she was outdoors, she was often required to sit on her front porch with her head between her knees — sometimes for more than an hour — while her sisters and other children played nearby.

 

There were over 80 witnesses that would testify in Marsha and Anthony’s trial.

 

Prosecutor holding the chain used to chain up Calista, it still had the twist tie on it.

Defense Attorney Victor Bland told jurors that Calista’s parents loved her but she was troubled and wandered the streets at night, had been known to eat razor blades and pens. He said they were only trying to keep her safe. He also said she was violent towards others.

 

Teachers testified that Calista was a pretty normal girl, who could read and write and had very minor problems.

 

A former DHS supervisor testified that the 2004 investigation was closed and no action was taken regarding the complaints of Calista being chained up. The supervisor now says they regret that decision and it was a failure on her part.

 

A police detective described the home schooling as a possible “ruse” to keep Calista “out of the public eye.”

 

The Medical Examiner said Calista had 6-8 Benadryl’s in her system, Anthony admitted to giving them to her to “make her sleep”.

 

Norma Swegles and daughter Jaclyn

Malinda Stauffer, Calista’s friend who attended school with her testified “She would tell me about her stepmother tying her to her bed and not feeding her and abusing her,” She also read 2 letters written by Calista;

 

“I gave my stepmother a good long complaint on how she treats me differently,” Stauffer said as she read from one of Calista’s letters, which was written in red crayon. “… I get hooked up to my bed with plastic-tie twister. I have to put the chain under my blanket. … She is putting me deeper into my grave, and when she puts me to bed I feel blue and start crying.”

 

“I remember that at school she was usually happy, but she would tell stuff,” said Katy Meyer, who went to 5th and 6th grade with Calista. “She said that she was chained to her bed.”

 

There were 8 of Calista’s friends in all that took the stand in her defense that told stories of her torture.

 

Marsha and Antony Springer murder trial

Deb Stauffer and Beth Ganger, Calista’s friends mothers also called CPS when they were told about the abuse by Calista. “She said that her parents chain her up at night,” Beth Ganger testified.

 

She said she filed 2 reports over the abuse of Calista.

 

Beth said her daughter brought her home one day and Calista told her about the abuse, the school principle was coming to pick her up and take her back to her house;

 

“She was frantically trying to express what was happening in the home, and she was in a full panic when she knew (the principal) was coming to pick her up.”

 

Norma Swegle holding twistie tie

She was showing the mother all of her bruises and telling her that she wasn’t being fed. Beth offered to put a banana in her backpack but Calista said no because she couldn’t hide the peel. She said she could take the apple because she could eat the core and her parents wouldn’t know she had it.

 

Deb Stauffer said she had letters from Calista and she called CPS and spoke to the counselor at the school. “I reported it to the school,” Stauffer said. “Nobody seemed to care so I kept (the letters).”

 

Anthony denied that the letters for help were written by his daughter saying “She couldn’t spell a word like ‘complain,” “She couldn’t write in cursive and the word ‘stepmother’ never came up in our family.”

 

John McDonough holding up the dog chain that was found around calista's waist

Ms. Kamphues, the counselor at the school said she was shown a psychiatric report by the Springer’s that showed Calista was a liar and a thief. She said while she worked for the school Calista would steal small items and would return them when asked. She just wanted attention and when she got it she would “smile from ear to ear.”

 

Other school employees testified that Calista told them during the 2004-05 school year that she was being chained to her bed at night.

 

Special Ed teacher Diane Balyeat told the jury she made a report with CPS after talking with Calista, she also said the school counselor told her “social services was already involved”.

 

Paraprofessional Marilyn Lafler testified “They had their hair brushed, and their clothes were clean,” Lafler said of Calista’s siblings. “If you put them side by side, I would have thought they were from different families.”

 

Everyone that testified including state child welfare employees said Calista had some behavioral issues, like stealing small items, but otherwise tried hard in school and had friends. She once told her counselor and friends she just wished she had a new family and more friends.

 

Calista’s younger sister Courtney testified saying, She would rip apart the pillows and make holes in the mattress and chewed on the wood,” She also said Calista was only chained to the bed twice before the fire.

 

How can this be when there were so many witnesses stating otherwise?

 

Babara Sawyer, Marsha Springer’s sister, said Calista’s issues began at the young age of 13 months.

 

“At thirteen months, she couldn’t smile, she couldn’t play,” said Sawyer. “To me she was deadly,” said Sawyer. “I was afraid of Calista.”

 

REALLY? I just finished watching a memorial video of a happy Calista that had pictures of her SMILING. She doesn’t look scary to me……How could that be?

Marsha said on the morning of the fire, the 2 girls and Anthony left for the day, and she was left in the house alone with Calista and she wanted to vacuum the floors. She put Calista in her bed, chained her in, and told her she would be back in 15 minutes.

 

Calista’s step-mom admitted to chaining her at night and during the day when she was cleaning the house.

 

Anthony accused prosecutors for tearing his family apart and saying that the agencies were only using his family as a “scapegoat” for a broken system. Some of his last words were;

 

“What we did may have been wrong and I still question that every day, We were at fault for her dying in the fire … but it was not all just on our own. This community is afraid to look itself in the mirror because it’s afraid to see that it failed to help our family,” he added. “In return, it’s more than happy to evict us so that it can sleep with a clear conscience at night. Society and the system that we have now are perhaps at fault as much as we are.” “I didn’t know you disliked me so much,” “I didn’t know I was so far down on your scale.” Those words were directed to his mother and all agencies in Michigan.

 

Marsha on the other hand did not blame anyone as she spoke to the judge;

 

“Calista was my daughter and it was an accident,” she said. “My other two girls (and) my husband have been going through hell since my daughter has been dead … I will carry this with me for the rest of my life and I am very sorry, your honor.”

 

The Springer’s attorney’s last statement to the judge was;

 

“I think they made mistakes maybe in how they tried to deal with this situation but the situation with Calista was real and it had to be dealt with in some way, We can argue if there were better ways … There probably was. I think the overwhelming issue is, the community knew about this, (the Michigan Department of Human Services) knew about this and certainly the schools knew about this. Do they have to take some responsibility for what has been a very unfortunate result? Yes.”

 

Suzanne Langdon, Calista's grandma

Mrs. Langdon read the following victim impact statement, she believes it’s what Calista would say;

 

“My soul is free, I will never have chains put on me again. Whenever someone stops at my memorial site, I am there. I am here today, I helped seat the jury in Kalamazoo and brought them back here for the verdict. I wanted you two to be near where such hideous things were done to me. I do not hate you. I love you and forgive you, but I deplore what you did to me. I am free and I am loved and I want all of you to know I am happy, I even chase balloons across the heavens. Do not cry for me but do all you can to help children that are in need.”

 

Ms. Langdon signed Calista’s name to the hand-written letter.

 

On February 22, 2010 Marsha and Anthony Springer were found guilty of child abuse and torture but not of murder.

 

On April 16, 2010 St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman told the Springers;

 

“There’s plenty of blame to go around for everybody,” “I think it’s fair to say the state of Michigan failed you and your family, clearly. Those charged to protect her did not do their jobs.”

 

“We’re here today not because of something they did though, but because they didn’t protect her from you.”

 

He then sentenced Anthony to 10 years for child abuse and 25-50 years for torture.

 

Marsha was sentenced to 8-15 years for child abuse and 19 years for torture.

 

Judge Paul Stutesman said he gave Anthony more time because it was his idea to tie Calista up and he was the one that actually implemented it. He felt that Marsha was just doing what she was told. Unfortunately their sentences will run concurrently.

 

I think what it boils down to is, Anthony and Marsha Springer either did not know how to deal with Calista’s disability, if there was one, nor did they care to find a credible solution to help with caring for her. They took the easy way out, chaining her down so she was immobile so they didn’t have to “bother” with her.

 

What I did find very surprising is that in Michigan (and maybe other states to) there is NO law that prohibits chaining a child or confining them according to the Office of The Children’s Ombudsmen.

 

“If you’re using physical restraints, such as locks on a child’s bedroom door, or certainly any type of wrapping of a child, or confining of a child, or bolting down a child, that does need to be only on the advice of the child’s doctor, pediatrician, therapist, somebody that is saying that is an appropriate response,” Bladen said.

 

The above does not apply to foster parents, it is only for regular parents they say.

http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2008/02/details_emerge_in_fatal_fire.html

 

I’ve seen no proof that Calista had a disability, I have seen many articles where her parents said she had PDD, PICA, behavioral problems and mild mental retardation. Well, which one is it? Or are they claiming she has ALL of these disabilities? Why does every witness testify and say there was nothing wrong with Calista?

 

Obviously there was no “intent” to murder Calista, therefore murder charges wouldn’t be applicable in this case. I do think they should have been charged with at least involuntary manslaughter though. The Springer’s both knew they were risking Calista’s life by keeping her chained up, even the CPS worker warned them 2 years earlier to not chain her up “in case of a fire”.

 

A plaque is now at the location where Calista used to live.

There is also a group on Facebook called “In Honor of Calista Springer” please join and support their efforts of keeping Calista’s memory alive. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=275018989927

 

There was at least one person who felt sorry for the Springer’s http://blog.mlive.com/readreact/2010/04/viewpoint_calista_springers_fa.html

A plaque marks the location of the house fire where Calista Springer died