211: Hampton’s Sugar Baby Murder, Daughter BBQ’s Mom’s Body, Attorney Buys Teen for Sex & Mica Miller Updates
In this SERIALously podcast episode, the discussion centers around shocking crimes against vulnerable victims. One case involves a man accused of purchasing a 13-year-old girl from her mother and repeatedly sexually abusing her, a horrific betrayal by the child's parent. Another distressing case details the cruel torture and neglect that led to the death of a disabled 14-year-old girl at the hands of her family members.
The episode also delves into suspicious deaths and murders with conflicting details. The murder of Dustin Jersum, initially thought to be a bear attack, was revealed to be committed by an acquaintance claiming self-defense. Doubts also emerge around the relationship dynamic and potential motive in the case of Sabina Rosas' murder at a hotel.
Additionally, the summary touches on the aftermath and investigations surrounding high-profile cases. Updates are provided on the FBI's raid on John Paul Miller's home amid scrutiny over his late wife Micah's suicide, as well as the sentencing of those responsible for Heather Baynard's death through severe child neglect.
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1-Page Summary
Egregious crimes against vulnerable victims
A 35-year-old man bought a 13-year-old girl from her mother and repeatedly raped her, an extreme depravity against a child.
According to the article, Carl Skewman, 35, is accused of purchasing a 13-year-old girl from her mother for money and a car. He then locked her in a room, threatened her with a gun, and subjected her to repeated sexual assaults, filming the abuse.
The mother facilitated the sale of her daughter to Skewman for financial gain, betraying her child's wellbeing.
Shockingly, the article reports the girl's own mother arranged the sale of her 13-year-old daughter to Skewman in exchange for money and a car.
A mother and her 19-year-old daughter murdered the mother's disabled 14-year-old daughter through horrific neglect and torture.
The article recounts the tragic case of Heather Baynard, a disabled 14-year-old who suffered severe neglect by her mother, father, and brother, her paid caretaker. Heather was found surrounded by filth and animal waste, her skin rotting from lack of care. Her parents had canceled all her medical appointments, leading to her death.
Suspicious deaths/murders with conflicting details and motives
Dustin Jersum's murder, initially thought a bear attack, was committed by Darren Abbey, who claimed self-defense.
Dustin Jersum's body was found mutilated at a campsite, first assumed a bear attack. However, lack of bear signs led authorities to suspect homicide by Darren Abbey, who confessed but claimed self-defense despite evidence of covering up the crime.
Sabina Rosas' murder at a spa hotel involves questions around her relationship with the alleged killer, Thomas Gannon.
Sabina Rosas, a rising artist, was found murdered in her hotel room after checking in with Thomas Gannon, who killed himself after confessing. Friends dispute Gannon's claim to be Sabina's boyfriend, suggesting a potential "sugar daddy" arrangement, adding complexity to the motive.
Aftermath and investigations of high-profile cases
The FBI raided John Paul Miller's home amid scrutiny over his potential role in his wife Micah's suicide.
The article mentions an FBI raid on John Paul Miller's home, though reasons are unclear. Micah Miller's loved ones accuse John Paul of abuse they believe drove her suicide. However, he denies wrongdoing, stating hiring a private investigator was for her safety.
Heather Baynard's parents and brother received severe sentences for their roles in her death by neglect.
Heather's parents were convicted of murder and child abuse, receiving life sentences plus 30 years. Her brother, who was also her abusive caretaker, got 30 years. The coroner described it as the worst child neglect case he'd seen.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Educate yourself on the signs of human trafficking and abuse to better recognize and report suspicious behavior. By learning the indicators, such as someone who appears malnourished, shows signs of physical injuries, avoids eye contact, or has limited freedom to move or communicate, you can become a more vigilant and proactive member of your community. For example, if you notice a neighbor's child who once was outgoing suddenly becomes withdrawn and shows signs of neglect, this could be a cue to reach out to authorities or child protective services.
- Create a personal safety protocol when visiting new places or meeting new people. This could include sharing your location with a trusted friend or family member, setting check-in times, and researching the place or person you're meeting ahead of time. If you're going to a spa hotel or a similar establishment, for instance, check reviews and ensure someone knows where you are and when to expect you back.
- Advocate for mental health awareness and support systems in your community. This could involve volunteering for a local mental health charity, starting a conversation with friends and family about the importance of mental health, or even just sharing resources on social media. By fostering an environment where mental health is openly discussed, you can help reduce the stigma and potentially provide a lifeline to someone who is struggling, like in the case where someone's behavior may be a cry for help rather than a criminal act.
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Egregious crimes against vulnerable victims
The article uncovers distressing cases of cruelty where the victims, due to their age or disability, were exceptionally vulnerable.
A 35-year-old man bought a 13-year-old girl from her mother and repeatedly raped her, an act of extreme depravity and exploitation of a child.
The 35-year-old Carl Skewman is accused of the most heinous crime of purchasing a 13-year-old girl and subjecting her to daily sexual assaults. It is alleged that Skewman had made appointments with the girl before directly asking to buy her in December, offering her mother 160,000 Rand and a car as a down payment. Once in Skewman's control, he locked the girl in a room with no food or water and threatened her with a gun if she refused him. He also filmed the sexual assaults and ordered the girl to clean for him.
The mother facilitated the sale of her 13-year-old daughter to the 35-year-old man in exchange for money and a car, demonstrating a complete disregard for her child's wellbeing.
Shocking reports reveal that the girl’s own mother arranged the sale of her daughter to Skewman, demonstrating a harrowing betrayal of maternal duty. She sold her child for an amount under ten thousand US dollars as well as a car, fully aware of Skewman's intentions. The mother also forced both her daughters to have sex with multiple men for money and possibly kept her second daughter undocumented to conceal her actions.
A mother and her 19-year-old daughter were convicted of murdering the mother's disabled 14-year-old daughter, subjecting her to horrific neglect and torture.
The alleged crimes a ...
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Egregious crimes against vulnerable victims
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can volunteer at a local shelter or hotline to provide support for victims of abuse, which may help you recognize and respond to signs of exploitation in your community. By engaging with these organizations, you'll learn about the resources available and how to assist someone who may be in a situation similar to what was described. For example, volunteering at a women's shelter could involve answering phones, providing emotional support, or assisting with educational programs.
- Consider taking a basic first aid and child protection course to better understand how to identify and report signs of neglect or abuse. These courses often cover how to recognize physical and emotional signs of abuse, legal responsibilities regarding reporting, and how to provide immediate care if necessary. For instance, a local Red Cross chapter might offer a course on recognizing and preventing child abuse, which could empower you to act if you suspect a child is in danger.
- Start a small, informal book club or discussion group ...
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Suspicious deaths/murders with conflicting details and motives
Suspicious deaths and murders with perplexing details and unclear motives grab headlines as investigators and the public grapple with the complex web of circumstances that lead to violence. Two cases in particular illustrate the twisty nature of such crimes.
The murder of Dustin Jersum, initially believed to be a bear attack, was actually a violent homicide committed by Darren Abbey, who claimed self-defense.
The murder of Dustin Jersum captured attention due to its brutal nature and the subsequent investigation that unraveled the unsettling details. Initially thought to be a bear attack, Dustin's body was found mutilated, an autopsy later revealing he had died from multiple chop wounds. However, the lack of bear signs at the campsite and the missing items, including an axe, shotgun, and cooler, led authorities to suspect homicide.
Darren Abbey was later arrested and confessed to Dustin's murder. Despite the confession, Abbey claimed that the killing was an act of self-defense. His attempts to cover up the crime, such as stealing from the crime scene, washing his clothes, and burning his shoes, cast doubt on this defense.
The circumstances of the crime are particularly chilling considering that Dustin unwittingly invited his killer into his campsite. Dustin had gone to the woods a day before his death to set up camp and was expected to pick up his girlfriend the following night but never returned. The girlfriend and a friend found Dustin's body the next morning. Abbey, who had a criminal past, was subsequently taken into custody and charged with deliberate homicide and evidence tampering, with his bail set at $1.5 million.
The murder of Sabina Rosas at an upscale Hamptons spa hotel involves conflicting details about the nature of her relationship with the man who allegedly killed her and then committed suicide.
Sabina Rosas, a 33-year-old up-and-coming artist, was found murdered in her room at the Sho Tsuji Ban House in Watermill, Long Island. She and a man named Thomas Gannon had checked into the spa hotel together. Following a day which included massages and a facial, Gannon was seen leaving the hotel alone the next morning and taking an Uber back to Pennsylvania. The specifics of the murder were not released, apart from it being due to an act of violence. Gannon's life ended the day after by suicide, following a confession to a family member, the conte ...
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Suspicious deaths/murders with conflicting details and motives
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety while camping by taking a wilderness safety course that includes identifying wildlife signs and emergency response tactics. By learning to recognize the absence of animal activity in an area, you'll be better equipped to assess your surroundings for potential human threats, similar to how the lack of bear signs indicated a human cause in Dustin Jersum's case.
- Develop a habit of researching the background of people you meet online before meeting them in person, using public records and social media to verify their identity and intentions. This could help you avoid dangerous situations like Dustin inviting a stranger into his campsite, by giving you a clearer picture of who you're dealing with.
- Create a personal protocol for relationships that involves open communication with f ...
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Aftermath and investigations of high-profile cases
Detailed scrutiny continues to unravel the events surrounding the tragic suicide of Micah Miller and the horrific murder of Heather Baynard, both of which involve their immediate family members.
The case of Micah Miller, who died by suicide, has continued to generate scrutiny, with her husband's home being raided by the FBI for reasons that are still unclear.
Annie Elise mentions an FBI raid on the home of John Paul Miller, husband of the late Micah Miller; however, the reasons for the FBI's interest remain unspecified. Micah Miller, who was in the process of a tumultuous separation, tragically died by suicide at the age of 30, only days after filing for divorce from John Paul Miller. This event in North Carolina has led to speculation about possible foul play, although her death was officially confirmed as a suicide.
Micah's family and friends have accused her husband, John Paul Miller, of abuse and using tracking devices to monitor her, which they believe drove her to take her own life.
Micah's loved ones have accused John Paul Miller of abusive behavior and claim he had been using tracking devices to monitor her movements. They assert that his actions caused Micah to feel scared and paranoid, contributing to her decision to take her life. John Paul Miller, however, has denied all accusations of abuse and stated that his hiring of a private investigator was out of concern for Micah's safety, specifically because he feared she might approach a gun store.
The FBI raid on John Paul Miller's home has sparked renewed interest in the case and speculation about potential financial or other crimes that may have been uncovered.
Though the FBI's search warrant has not been made public, there is speculation that the raid on John Paul Miller's home might be financially related, possibly involving hidden church funds or other financial irregularities. The local Sheriff's office has stated that there is currently no evidence connecting John to Micah’s death, suggesting that the FBI's investigation might be looking into something unrelated to her suicide.
The murder of Heather Baynard, the disabled teenager, has resulted in the conviction and sentencing of her parents and brother for their roles in her horrific neglect and death.
The case of Heather Baynard, a disabled teenager, tragically demonstrates the most severe effects of child neglect. Her parents, David and Bobby Joe Baynard, and her brother, Edward, have been convicted and sentenced for their parts in her abuse and event ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Aftermath and investigations of high-profile cases
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety by using privacy-focused apps and services to protect your location data from being tracked without your consent. For example, consider using a virtual private network (VPN) on your devices and opting for messaging apps with end-to-end encryption. Regularly review app permissions on your smartphone to ensure that only necessary apps have access to your location and personal information.
- Educate yourself on the signs of abuse and neglect to better recognize and report potential cases in your community. Take an online course or read materials from reputable organizations dedicated to preventing abuse and neglect. This knowledge can empower you to act if you suspect someone is a victim, potentially preventing tragedies like Heather's.
- Advocate for accountability ...
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