Live, Local Weather

28°

Humidity: 93%
Wind: 0.0 mph


Today's Quick Forecast

  Hi 28° / Lo 17°




Email this story     Print this story     48 comment(s)   RSS FeedFront

Mom's apartment burglarized while 'kids were upstairs sleeping'

By CARY ASHBY - Reflector Staff Writer | Monday November 16 2009, 10:45am

Shannon M. Gherman, the intoxicated mother accused of dropping her 15-month-old son on his head twice Saturday, was a no-show Monday morning in Huron County Juvenile Court.

Gherman's three children, the boy and two girls, are alleged to be abused and dependent in connection with the mother leaving all three of her children unattended to go purchase cigarettes Nov. 4. Court records further state "during this time (the) mother was gone, the home was burglarized."

The 26-year-old mother reported someone stole $75 from her wallet and a stack of quarters, worth about $6, from her dining room table. Gherman also told police she made sure she locked her apartment, 23 Newton St., Apt. B7, before she left to search for her missing car keys and borrow a cigarette from a neighbor, Norwalk Police Chief Dave Light said.

"The kids were upstairs sleeping," Light said.

The chief said no arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation of the Nov. 4 burglary. Police have forwarded reports to the Norwalk Law Director's office.

On Saturday, a neighbor who was baby-sitting Gherman's son reported the mother was intoxicated after she came home about 7:48 p.m. from an undisclosed location, police said. Gherman's blood-alcohol content level was .306 almost four times the legal limit when she blew a portable breath test.

"Shannon Gherman is claiming she only had four beers," Light said.

The baby sitter and her boyfriend stepped in to say Gherman was too drunk to care for her son when they witnessed the mother "put him down really hard" when she was going to change his diapers, Light said. The baby sitter, according to court records, saw a small, green bruise on the left side of child's forehead, "indicating it was a couple days old."

The boy, who was taken to the police station, later was released to his father, Shaun A. Meagrow, 27, of Medusa Road. Gherman was booked into the city jail until she was sober and charged with disorderly conduct (intoxication).

Meagrow told the judge Monday he isn't involved in any custody hearings with Gherman and isn't paying any child support.

Daniel Yoder, 29, of North Fairfield, is the father of Gherman's 3-year-old daughter. Cardwell informed him his pending custody case, set for trial in December, "probably won't go forward" because of the current allegations. Yoder said he's had custody of his daughter "over 80 percent of the time."

John Hofacker, 30, of rural Monroeville, is the father of Gherman's 5-year-old daughter.

"I was about to get one (a custody hearing) started this week, but then this happened," said Hofacker, who is paying Gherman child support.

During Monday's hearing, Judge Timothy Cardwell asked the three fathers if they knew anything about Gherman's whereabouts. All the fathers said they didn't know where Gherman was.

"She does not have a phone that is connected. I don't know that anyone has talked to her when she was not intoxicated," Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer DeLand told the judge.

At DeLand's request, Cardwell ruled all three children would be released to the custody of their fathers, pending clean drug screens. The judge also ordered the fathers take their children to a doctor as soon as possible for check-ups and have them involved in education programs.

Cardwell stressed to the fathers that any subsequent initial contact between Gherman and her children was to be during a supervised visit at Huron County Department of Job and Family Services, even if she showed up at their doors demanding to see the youngsters. All three fathers declined to comment after Monday's hearing.

The court set a Jan. 7 trial on the matter.

Email this story     Print this story


to comment on stories. Don't have a login? Register now

Comments on our site are governed by our Discussion Guidelines

Kottage Kat wrote on Nov 26, 2009 11:32 AM:

" Seems like Daddy Dan Yoder and Old Resident have gone off the radar.
Obviously they have been "shot down". "

Report Abuse

BaileyOriginally wrote on Nov 25, 2009 8:31 AM:

" This is a very sad situation, no doubt. A case of kids having kids, and they don't have a clue they're causing the next generation to be FUBAR. "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 24, 2009 7:29 PM:

" Erulisee,

I beg to differ, check out the court records on these three "Ward Cleavers". DUH! "

Report Abuse

Erulisse wrote on Nov 23, 2009 5:50 PM:

" JAIL for "Mom" for the rest of her life, period.

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:13 PM:
"There must be some reason the judge ordered all 3 dads to "drug tests". Eh?"

Yeah, he's following a CYA policy for the kid's sake. You know, people get ordered for drug screens and that doesn't mean that they have a history of using. Geesh. "

Report Abuse

Sunny wrote on Nov 22, 2009 7:39 AM:

" This is a sad situation. Hopefully the courts will monitor the fathers' regularly and help them to become the fathers these kid's deserve to have. Like parenting classes or something like that. Apparently the mother isn't capable of being their mother, choosing alcohol over her children and cigarettes over the safety of them. How sad. "

Report Abuse

Dusty wrote on Nov 21, 2009 1:56 PM:

" Actually...It don't matter who get the kids Parents or Grand Parents...Everyone get a drug test!! "

Report Abuse

Kottage Kat wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:32 PM:

" mrs.smith 388,
This is a comment column, and I respect yours and hope that you will likewise extend to others the same.
Thank you. "

Report Abuse

instantcoffy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:17 PM:

" Oh. Grandparents? It would be a shame to put them in the system, kids get lost in the system. I really don't know what family services is like out here, I just hope that whatever is done it will be the best for the children. "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 9:02 PM:

" Their daddies all have extensive records like their mommy, so I doubt if they would be better off. "

Report Abuse

InstantCoffy wrote on Nov 20, 2009 11:35 AM:

" These children are far better off with their fathers. She needs to turn herself in and get the help she needs. Maybe even a regiment of Acamprosate or Disulfiram. "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:53 AM:

" I'm an old member , so dat doesn't apply to me hehe :) "

Report Abuse

BaileyOriginally wrote on Nov 20, 2009 6:19 AM:

" For the new members: Rule #1: Spell Check "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 8:44 PM:

" @mrssmith388

have you ever seen this site before????

Surely you jest, why, fussing and cussing is very common here and quite fun...now go check da sour cream ;] "

Report Abuse

emilio938 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 7:56 PM:

" Oh jeeze, another newb. "

Report Abuse

mrsmith388 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 7:33 PM:

" really thats why when i was up there i asked and they said you only blog about the subjust listed you want the number ? or just wanna be a know it all ? "

Report Abuse

OldResident wrote on Nov 19, 2009 7:14 PM:

" No, this is not a blog site. It is the website of your newspaper, and this is the comments section where people may voice their comments, concerns, criticisms and condolences. "

Report Abuse

mrsmith388 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 6:56 PM:

" this is a blog site not a chat room take that crap off "

Report Abuse

Punkychuck wrote on Nov 19, 2009 5:03 PM:

" and the macaroni salad is as sour as hell1! "

Report Abuse

Sassy wrote on Nov 19, 2009 4:03 PM:

" Wow. And their potato salad isn't any good, either. "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 19, 2009 11:36 AM:

" sheesh there's all kinds of d yoders on the court records --public records. "

Report Abuse

Varulv Von Orden wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:35 AM:

" What do you expect from a bunch of Hill Jacks? "

Report Abuse

FlowerChild87 wrote on Nov 18, 2009 3:20 PM:

" Okay, I wasn't the one who got all upset about the comment. I'm just saying, not everyone was condemning the fathers. I'm guessing the reasoning behind drug testing the fathers was because of the mother's actions or past issues. That doesn't mean that they're still issues. People overcome drug problems all the time. Even if you're caught with a joint, you get posession charges, and they last forever. All bases need to be covered, so if they passed the drug tests, that's no big deal. I don't think in legal situations you can pass off fake pee though, because they generally follow you into the bathroom, from what I've heard. "

Report Abuse

perfectly_flawed wrote on Nov 18, 2009 1:45 PM:

" "Meagrow told the judge Monday he isn't involved in any custody hearings with Gherman and isn't paying any child support"

I'm confused. Isn't paying any support? The Reflector should clear that statement up. Has he not been ordered to pay support or is he just a deadbeat? I'm not passing judgement, just wondering what the facts are.

What a sad sad state of affairs for these innocent children. "

Report Abuse

Kottage Kat wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:24 PM:

" The comment was not rude, just quoting what the Reflector reported. I have no "fight" with the father/fathers.
Seems folks got a lot out of 2 sentences. Hummmmmm?????? "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 18, 2009 12:13 PM:

" There must be some reason the judge ordered all 3 dads to "drug tests". Eh? "

Report Abuse

FlowerChild87 wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:52 AM:

" It's not everyone that made rude comments about the father. I think almost ANYONE would be better for these kids than their mother (apparently), but wouldn't having a parent in their lives be best for them? Whether they do have a past record or not, the past shouldn't be what matters unless it was something harmful for children. The only thing is, I hope these 3 fathers can work together, figure something out so the kids can see each other. It's not their fault their mother isn't fit to take care of them, and they shouldn't have to go through the pain of not being able to see their siblings because of it. "

Report Abuse

Varulv Von Orden wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:45 AM:

" Can't think of the name but pretty much artificial piss, anybody can test clean these days,

AND THAT'S A FACT JACK! "

Report Abuse

OldResident wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:48 PM:

" I guess I shouldn't find it at all surprising, but it still amazes me - the ignorance with which you small-town folk spew forth your filth. In most of these comments, I read that your opinion is to take the children away and put them into some system, presumably foster care. Many of you go as far as demonizing the fathers, Kat in particular.

That said, let me address you then, Kat. I presume you must be the local expert where these men are concerned? Have you taken the liberty of conducting background checks on them? Consulted the vast library of Huron and Erie County public records to determine that they're unfit to be fathers, eh? Oh, maybe, just maybe, you actually have sat down to dinner with each of them and their families on a holiday, so you know that they're all the losers that you claim they are. That must be it. Yes, yes, what was I thinking.

You're a fool for your judgemental behavior, and You'll go where you belong in the end for disparities.

Before you pass judgement on these men, perhaps you should consider the dispicable system the liberals have created here. A good father fights tooth and nail to take care of his child, and fights even harder in an attempt to get custody. Meanwhile, fine examples of the female gender such as Ms. Gherman here are granted custody by default, it takes years of her repeated neglectful behavior to only have custody temporarily transferred.

Whatever it is you people think you stand for, looking in at your little town from the big big outside world, you all look sick to me. "

Report Abuse

Kottage Kat wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:58 PM:

" Dan Yoder,
Did not mean to confuse you. Have duality in usernames, and sometimes Pollyanna gets here before Kat does. Thank you for understanding.

Kat "

Report Abuse

Pollyanna wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:49 PM:

" Dan Yoder,
That is wonderful, and please keep your child safe and well cared for. please note I NEVER stated you were unfit, nor would I ever do that. Blessings as you raise your child. If I am wrong I will always admit I am, and on this one I was presumptuious, and I aplogise. "

Report Abuse

swiss family wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:04 PM:

" Kat... I would hope that since you already told us that you are a nurse, and you also told us that you used to be an alcoholic, and are now in recovery, I would hope and pray that they monitor you occasionally because of your addiction problems in the past, an since you are going to be near medications,, if there is any justice in this life you should also have to submit to random drug testing... so just because thy do a drug test on you, that makes you "unfit" in your opinion , as you are claiming these fathers to be????
the more you rant and spew your craziness, I am very grateful that you never had any children of your own, otherwise that might be messed up beyond repair,,, AMEN!!! "

Report Abuse

DanYoder wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:01 PM:

" for your info. Kottage Kat i passed my drug screen so like i said get the facts strait "

Report Abuse

Kottage Kat wrote on Nov 17, 2009 8:46 PM:

" Dan Yoder,
Released to "fathers" pending clean drug screens kinda says it all. I read the Gospel of St. Reflector. "

Report Abuse

momofmany wrote on Nov 17, 2009 8:15 PM:

" OMG take these kids away from the mom for good...Norwalk seems to be letting these drunk, low life moms keep endangering their kids..Put ther butts in jail and keep them there, find proper families that want and will provide them with a safe, loving enviornment.....Glad to see our hard earned money going to trash like this , way to be a mom and take care of your kids. "

Report Abuse

DanYoder wrote on Nov 17, 2009 8:05 PM:

" Hey Kottage Kat befor you open your mouth maybe you should make sure that you know what your talking about "

Report Abuse

swiss family wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:55 PM:

" I think that it is out of line to comment on the court records of the babies fathers... this article is about an abused baby, and his mother who is not only having problems with alcohol, to the point where her children are in imminent danger to be under her care, and her inability to tell the truth when confronted with her behavior.

the fathers in the story seem to be good enough in the court"s eyes to care for their children, which to me , I would have to believe that they do not have any crimes including child abuse, and irresponsible, and inappropriate behavior around children. I trust Judge Cardwell, and I trust that he would not release these children to be put in the path and the destruction of another abusive parent.

it takes someone who enjoys spreading gossip and rumors in their community to be bad mouthing these judicially approved fathers, especially when the person who is doing the gossiping, has also been investigated for trying to harm a child, actually a disabled child, and spreading his legally classified, an confidential conditions, to all that will read about it.. that is a complete violation of the privacy laws, but it is not too shocking in as much as she obviously loves to tell everyone within reading and listening range, all the "scoop" on everything that she assumes is fact...
thank you for your usual gossiping, and leading the click to the place to damage someones reputation nurse Cravates "

Report Abuse

David Deerest. wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:39 PM:

" 44846GWP wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:04 PM:

" Mouth breathers. "

LMAO! Now that's funny. "

Report Abuse

demodude wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:33 PM:

" She is really stupid to tell the police she left the kids alone, while reporting a robbery, "

Report Abuse

demodude wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:23 PM:

" Newton St. apts, are the slums of Norwalk, and Grand ave is a close second. "

Report Abuse

44846GWP wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:14 PM:

" 23 Newton St. Apartments, nuf said. "

Report Abuse

44846GWP wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:04 PM:

" Mouth breathers. "

Report Abuse

Sassy wrote on Nov 17, 2009 3:39 PM:

" Obviously an unfit mother. What, was she too drunk to show up for court???
Hopefully they take her children away before she kills one of them. Who the h&ll leaves their babies alone while they go out to get cigarettes? WTH was she thinking?!?! "

Report Abuse

Kottage Kat wrote on Nov 17, 2009 2:20 PM:

" The "daddy's" sound like they have some issues also, and are well known to the court system. "

Report Abuse

Most Wanted wrote on Nov 17, 2009 1:20 PM:

" Sounds to me like she "only had 4 beers" about three to many times! What a disgrace. "

Report Abuse

mrsmith388 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 12:44 PM:

" omg is this girl friends with the 08 new year mom "

Report Abuse

Varulv Von Orden wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:41 AM:

" LOvely, yep someone most defiantly needs to drop this one on their head. "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:20 AM:

" *initial* "

Report Abuse

starryeyes83 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:19 AM:

" Yepper, intial assessments were on the money.

3 different baby daddies.

Welfare, drunken ,crack -headed low life p.o.s. hag working the system. How many more??

She needs to be sterilized as should the sperm donors, and ALL THREE daddies need to be tested for drugs and std's.

This is why this country is in the shape that it's in. "

Report Abuse


 

More ›Top Comments

 


 

Office
Norwalk Reflector
61 East Monroe St.
Norwalk, OH 44857
Mon - Fri: 8am to 5pm

Phone
419-668-3771
800-589-3771
Fax: 419-668-2424
Mon - Fri: 8am to 6pm
Sat & Sun: 7am to 10am

Online
Contact Us + Staff Directory

My Reflector
Read the E·PAPER
Advertise With Us
Subscribe
Business Profiles

All content Copyright© Norwalk Reflector. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy