LILY FURNEAUX-WOLFENBARGER - 2 yo (2010) - New Haven (NW of Flint) MI

Child abuse focus of investigation after New Haven girl's death


Published: Monday, November 22, 2010





Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger
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New Haven police on Sunday were investigating whether the "suspicious" death of a 2-year-old girl was an accident or the result of child abuse.

As relatives of Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger awaited word from police, they also began preparing funeral arrangements for the precocious little girl whose smile warmed their hearts.

"She was a very sweet child who loved her mom - she was everything in this world to her mom," said Lynette Furneaux, the girl's grandmother who resides in Lapeer.

According to police, officers were called Saturday afternoon to a home on Apple Blossom Court in the Meadowcreek

Mobile Home Community near 27 Mile and Gratiot in New Haven for an unresponsive child. The girl was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead.

"The cause of death has not yet been determined and right now it remains as suspicious and under investigation," Police Chief Michael Henry said in a news release.

New Haven police Sunday afternoon indicated there would be an update on the case later in the day, but none was provided as officers continued their investigation. An officer Sunday evening said additional information would be provided today.

An autopsy was conducted Sunday but Macomb County Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz said he could not comment on the manner or cause of death because it's an ongoing investigation.

The child lived with her mother, 24-year-old Lauren Fureneaux, at Lauren's parent's house in Lapeer. The mother shared custody with the child's father, Jeff Wolfenbarger, who resides in New Haven.

Relatives who did not want to be named said Lily seemed to be afraid of Renee King, Jeff's wife, who has three children of her own. Lily sometimes came home with bruises, a family member said. Continued...

http://www.voicenews.com/articles/2010/11/22/news/doc4cead625210dc425686826.txt

Here are a few more details. I don't understand, if what unnamed relatives assert is true, why the Mom allowed this precious child to be alone with a woman "Lily appeared to be afraid of", especially if she truly came home with bruises. What a nightmare for the poor mother.

Wonder if this woman abused her own children like this? Sounds like Huckabee.

"Last Updated: November 23. 2010 5:47PM
New Haven woman charged in sexual assault, death of stepdaughter, 2
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News

New Haven— As relatives begin funeral services today for 2-year-old Lily Lynette Furneaux-Wolfenbarger, the child's stepmother appeared before a judge on allegations she raped and murdered the girl....

King, 28, a New Haven mother of three, is charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse and first-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with Lily's Saturday death.

"I just want to be able to get out. I swear to God I didn't do this," a tearful King pleaded with Magistrate Joseph J. Plawecki, who ordered her held without bond.

"I just want to be able to see my kids and my husband. … What I'm accused of doing I never would have done."

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said King's own three children were not home and her husband was at work when Lily died Saturday.

New Haven Police Chief Michael Henry said the child's biological mother dropped her off at her father's mobile home, where King also lives, in the Meadow Creek Mobile Home Community around 9 a.m. King called 911 for help, reporting she had an "unconscious child" around 2 p.m. that day, he said.

Smith declined to release specifics about what authorities believe transpired, but said Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz ruled Lily died of blunt-force trauma to the head. She also sustained severe vaginal trauma, Smith said.

"She (King) gave us statements but they do not agree with the evidence found at the scene of the crime," said Smith, adding more details will come to light as court proceedings continue in the case.

"Going forward, we will do what we can to ensure justice."

Smith said Lily is the sixth child under the age of five murdered this year in Macomb County.

Smith said it appears that Lily was sexually assaulted prior to her "horrific death." Henry said several items were taken from the home and sent to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab. Authorities declined to specify what weapons may have been used to sexually assault and kill the child."


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101123/METRO03/11230408/New-Haven-woman-charged-in-sexual-assault--death-of-stepdaughter--2#ixzz16R8lHfn4[/i][i]

Second autopsy called for in death of New Haven girl


Published: Sunday, December 12, 2010


The attorney for a New Haven woman accused of sexually assaulting and killing her 2-year-old stepdaughter said he will seek an independent autopsy as he begins to prepare a defense for her in court.

Renee King, 28, is being held without bond in Macomb County Jail after being charged in the Nov. 20 death of Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger. Police and prosecutors said the child died from blunt force trauma to the head and had been sexually assaulted.

At a brief hearing Monday in 42nd District Court in New Baltimore, defense attorney Richard Glanda requested an adjournment in order to give him time to review more than 90 pages of police and medical examiner reports.

“I’d like to get a second opinion through an autopsy from an independent medical examiner from outside the county, hired by me,” Glanda said outside of court.

The official autopsy was conducted by Macomb County Medical Examiner Dr. Daniel Spitz, who has come under criticism for failing to detect a bullet wound in the head of a Mount Clemens banker whose body was found in Lake St. Clair.

Glanda said he wanted the second autopsy in part because of the Spitz criticism but also to have another review of the child’s body.

King is charged with felony murder, which is punishable by up to life in prison upon conviction; first-degree child abuse, a 15-year felony, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration with injuries involving a child below the age of 13, a life felony that carries a minimum of 25 years in prison.

According to police and prosecutors, King was alone with the child in the home King shared with the girl’s biological father. The child lived in Lapeer with her biological mother, Lauren Furneaux, and had been visiting the father’s home for the weekend when she died.

Police claim King used multiple objects to insert into the child’s vagina, tearing away at the skin, before using an unknown object to strike her in the head, killing her.

But King maintains the child’s death was an accident. Continued...

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A $1-million bond was set today for a stepmother accused of killing her 2-year-old stepdaughter in New Haven.Renee
Marie King, 28, was ordered held in the Macomb County Jail after a
hearing, which was to be a preliminary exam, in 42-2 District Court in
New Baltimore. The preliminary exam was rescheduled for Feb. 7. King was
being held without bond before today, according to the court.She
is charged with felony murder, criminal sexual conduct and first-degree
child abuse in the death of Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger. She is accused
of using an object to rape the toddler, then killing her with a blow to
the head Nov. 20.New Haven police responded to the
call about an unresponsive child at King’s home in the Meadow Creek
Mobile Home Community, which she shares with her husband.King’s
attorney previously said that she maintains she is innocent, saying she
lost her balance and fell on the girl in the shower.She faces life in prison if convicted of murder.
http://www.freep.com/article/20110124/NEWS04/110124047/1006/news04/-1M-bond-stepmom-slaying-girl-2

A New Haven woman is due in court this afternoon for a preliminary
examination on allegations she sexually assaulted and murdered her
2-year-old stepdaughter in the family's mobile home in November. Renee
Marie King, 29, is charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse
and first-degree criminal sexual conduct in the Nov. 20 death of Lily
Lynette Furneaux-Wolfenbarger.King is accused of raping and killing the child while the two were
alone together at the home in the Meadow Creek Mobile Home Community
that King shared with Lily's father, Jeff Wolfenbarger.



Authorities have declined to say what transpired, but an autopsy
concluded there was evidence of sexual assault and that the child died
of blunt-force head trauma. King's former attorney, Richard
Glanda, has said King was "remorseful" and claimed that she was in the
shower with Lily and fell due to "a pre-existing medical condition where
she tends to fall." Glanda has since withdrawn from the case, citing
personal reasons. Police said Lily's mother dropped her off at
Jeff Wolfenbarger's home around 9 a.m. that day. King called 911 just
before 2 p.m. to report she had an unconscious child. Birmingham-based
attorney Henry Baskin said this morning that he's been retained by
Lily's family to investigate the back story of how the child was
entrusted to King and what transpired. "We will pursue that and
where it ends up we'll determine at that time. Our primary interest is
to make sure this woman is brought to justice: that's number one,"
Baskin said. "There's a lot more to be said about how this all came into
being, but that is not for now. That'll be after the conclusion of the
murder trial." Baskin said about 200 people are expected at the court house today "in support of justice for this baby." Macomb
County Circuit Court records show King's husband filed for divorce Oct.
7. The next day, King filed a request for a personal protection order
against him. It was denied. King's preliminary examination is expected to span two days in New Baltimore District Court.
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110427/METRO03/104270401/New-Haven-woman-headed-to-court-in-death-of-stepdaughter--2#ixzz1KkJcdD1e

Last Updated: August 01. 2011 8:07PM
Sex charge reinstated against woman accused in death of stepdaughter, 2
Christine Ferretti/ The Detroit News

Mount Clemens— A judge today reinstated criminal sexual conduct charges for a woman awaiting trial in the death of her 2-year-old stepdaughter.
Macomb County Circuit Judge Diane Druzinski made the ruling today during a hearing for Renee Marie King. The 29-year-old New Haven woman is facing life in prison on charges of felony murder and first-degree child abuse in the Nov. 20, 2010, death of Lily Lynette Furneaux-Wolfenbarger.
"We are happy that the charges are brought back upon Renee and all we want is justice for Lily in all aspects," Lily's grandmother, Lynette Furneaux, said today.
Judge William Hackel III of the 42nd District Court in New Baltimore had dismissed the sexual abuse count in April following a two-day preliminary examination.
Prosecutors claim King inflicted multiple blows to her stepdaughter's head while the two were alone together at the home King shared with Lily's father, Jeffrey Wolfenbarger. Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz concluded Lily died of blunt-force trauma to the head and he also found evidence of a sexual assault.
The defense contends that King and Lily were in the shower together and that the injuries stemmed from an accidental fall.
King is due back in court for a pretrial conference on Sept. 12.


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110801/METRO03/108010407/Sex-charge-reinstated-against-woman-accused-in-death-of-stepdaughter--2#ixzz1VrkKIkBt

Justice for Lily
The motion hearing has been postponed until Sept 21. Just another delay (Lynette)
September 12 at 6:02am

https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForLily?sk=wall

Justice for Lily
Court has been postponed again for tomorrow. Renee has hired a new attorney. Next court date October 12
Like · Comment · 16 hours ago via mobile

https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForLily?sk=wall

Justice for Lily
Just got out of court. Postponed until November 14. Trial will probably start in February. She asked for a lower bond but was denied. Thank you everyone for your support. We love you Lily and we will fight for you to infinity and beyond ALWAYS! no matter how long it takes.
Like · Comment · 12 hours ago via mobile ·

https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForLily?sk=wall

February trial date set for stepmother in death of 2-year-old New Haven girl
Published: Tuesday, November 15, 2011

A Feb. 14 trial date was scheduled for Renee King, who is charged with felony murder, child abuse and sexual assault in the death of her 2-year-old stepdaughter in New Haven.

King’s pretrial Monday was adjourned to Dec. 19 in front of Judge Diane Druzinski in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.

King, 29, is accused of delivering three fatal head blows last Nov. 20 to Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger while they were in the home King shared with the girl’s biological father.

King has claimed the head injuries were accidental.

Druzinski in August reinstated a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after a district court dismissed it. Investigators found an injury to the child’s vaginal area.

http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2011/11/15/news/doc4ec1639b13be0211918045.txt

Mount Clemens— Jury selection is expected to begin Tuesday for a New Haven woman accused of inflicting head injuries that killed her 2-year-old stepdaughter in the family's trailer home more than a year ago.

Renee Marie King, 29, is charged with felony murder, child abuse and criminal sexual conduct in the Nov. 20, 2010, death of Lily Lynette Furneaux-Wolfenbarger.

Prosecutors allege King inflicted multiple blows to Lily's head and sexually assaulted her while the two were alone together at the home King shared with Lily's father, her husband Jeffrey Wolfenbarger. The defense contends that the fatal injuries stemmed from an accidental fall.

Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Therese Tobin said the Macomb County Circuit Court trial is expected to span two weeks.

Lily's grandmother, Lynette Furneaux, says justice needs to be served and the family is ready.

"There will never be justice because Lily will never be back. But we need someone to be held accountable for this, and that's what we're waiting for," she said.

King's attorney, Jason Malkiewicz, said she has her family's support, including Wolfenbarger's, and maintains her innocence. "Renee is ready to face these charges," he said. "She has been adamant from the beginning that she is not guilty." Malkiewicz said it's unclear if his client will testify at trial, but added she "wants to tell her story."

Wolfenbarger and Lily's mother, Lauren Furneaux, shared custody of the girl.

Authorities say Wolfenbarger left Lily in King's care while he went to work on Nov. 20, 2010.

Within hours, King called 911 to report the girl was unresponsive.

Police said they arrived at the home in the Meadow Creek Mobile Home Community to find King kneeling over the lifeless girl and crying.

The stepmother claimed Lily fell and hit her head as the two showered together.

King said she then slipped and fell on top of the child while exiting the shower.

Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz concluded Lily died of blunt-force trauma to the head. He also found evidence of a sexual assault.

Malkiewicz said defense intends to call Washtenaw County's chief medical examiner, Bader J. Cassin, to provide a different opinion on the cause of death.

King's three children are being cared for by relatives while the case is pending.

Macomb Circuit Court records show Wolfenbarger filed for divorce in January.

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120213/METRO03/202130330/1409/metro/Stepmom-murder-trial-start

A woman accused in the sexual assault and killing of her 2-year-old stepdaughter is scheduled for trial beginning today in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mt. Clemens.

Renee King, 29, is charged with murder, criminal sexual conduct and child abuse in the Nov. 20, 2010, slaying of Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger at the New Haven trailer she shared with the girl's father, Jeffrey Wolfenbarger. He has filed for divorce.

King has remained in the Macomb County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail since her 2010 arrest.

Authorities said she used an object to rape the girl and then killed her with a blow to the head. The girl suffered an injury to her vaginal area.

Judge Diane Druzinski also is weighing a motion from the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office to allow information about a prior incident between King and Lily to be included in the trial. Online court information refers to it as "bad acts evidence." Details were not available Monday.

But King's attorney, Jason Malkiewicz of St. Clair Shores, said the girl's injuries were caused by two accidental falls.

He said King was showering with Lily, who had a history of stomach problems, because the girl had vomited on both of them when the first fall happened. The second fall happened, he said, after King carried the girl to a bathtub outside the shower in an attempt to revive her as she tried to call 911.

"She is adamant that she is innocent," Malkiewicz said. "She loved that child. She wished that she would have had her opportunity to say her good-byes to Lily."

He said King had suffered a number of unexplained falls before Lily's death.

Assistant Prosecutor Therese Tobin said she expects the trial to take about two weeks.

http://www.freep.com/article/20120214/NEWS04/202140363/Trial-starts-today-in-case-of-Macomb-County-stepmom-accused-of-raping-killing-toddler

Mount Clemens— Lauren Furneaux's last memory of her 2-year-old daughter is filled with screams and tears as the child was carried away in a gas station parking lot for a court-ordered visit with her father.

Hours later, prosecutors say, the girl's stepmother fatally beat and sexually assaulted the toddler over temper tantrums and toilet training accidents.

On Monday, a Macomb County Circuit Court jury deliberated about two hours before convicting Renee Marie King of felony murder and one count each of first-degree child abuse and criminal sexual conduct in the Nov. 20, 2010, death of Lily Lynette Furneaux-Wolfenbarger.

King, 30, will be sentenced to mandatory life in prison without parole April 10.

For Furneaux, the verdict was bittersweet.

"We're ecstatic," she said. "Still, it doesn't bring Lily back."

Furneaux and Lily's father, Jeff Wolfenbarger, had shared custody. She and her family say they suspected Lily was being abused under King's care and documented the bruises and black eyes in a bid for full custody.

"It was still not enough," she said. "I just want to hold her again. You are supposed to protect your daughters from the evil in the world and I couldn't protect her."

Prosecutors say King struck Lily's head at least 20 times and sexually assaulted her while the two were alone in the home King shared with Wolfenbarger.

King's attorney Jason Malkiewicz says she had a pre-existing medical condition and Lily's injuries stemmed from two accidental falls.

Malkiewicz said Monday he was "shocked" by the jury's quick decision and that King's relatives are standing by her. "They all believe, as do I, that Renee didn't do this. They are crushed," he said, adding King maintains her innocence. "This was nothing more than a horrible accident."

King told investigators she took Lily with her in the shower after the child became ill. King said she lost her grip on Lily as she tried to lift the girl up to rinse her hair and the child fell. King claimed she later fell on top of the child after exiting the shower.

During the two-week trial, Assistant Prosecutor Therese Tobin presented various accounts from King about how the child became injured and efforts to revive her.

Malkiewicz said authorities never tried to verify King's story, which he claims has "always been consistent." He also detailed King's medical visits for episodes of falling prior to Lily's death.

Tobin noted a doctor ordered further tests, but King never followed through. Instead, Tobin said, she was taking a level of pain medication that was "closing in on the level of toxic."

County Prosecutor Eric Smith said Lily was one of six child death cases in the county in 2010.

Smith commended Furneaux for creating a foundation in her daughter's name. She's raised about $35,000 for child advocacy groups and abuse prevention and her "Justice for Lily" Facebook page has about 34,000 followers.

"I'm proud of Lauren and all that she's done for child abuse prevention," he said. "She's not only kept the memory of Lily alive, but found a way to help other children."

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120228/METRO03/202280361/Stepmother-found-guilty-toddler-s-death?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs

New Haven Woman Charged With Murder of Stepdaughter, 2

Published : Tuesday, 23 Nov 2010, 12:36 PM EST


NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. - In New Haven, the death of a toddler is now a case of murder. The child's stepmother is charged with killing the little girl.

Renee Marie King was in tears as she begged the judge to let her go home. Her stepdaughter's funeral is Wednesday, but given the serious nature of the crimes she remains behind bars.

"I just want to be able to get out. I swear on my life I didn't do this. I never would," said the emotional defendant.

The 28-year-old mother of three is charged with killing her stepdaughter, two-and-a-half-year-old Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger at her New Haven home on Saturday.

"I just want a chance to get out. I will stay on a tether. I will report every day. I will do whatever it takes. I just want to be able to see my kids and my husband and be there with them through this hard time tomorrow," King said to the judge.

She told investigators she accidentally dropped the child while bathing her. However, prosecutors say she not only abused and killed the child, who died of blunt force trauma to the head, they allege she also sexually assaulted her with an unknown object.

Prosecutor Eric Smith asked for no bond. King briefly locked eyes with her accuser.

"Two of those three charges are life felony," Smith said. "One is a mandatory life felony. This defendant does not deserve to be on the streets."

The magistrate denied bond. The prosecutor would not elaborate on the child's injuries.

Lily's funeral is Wednesday. She is the sixth child under the age of five to be murdered in Macomb County this year, a tragedy the prosecutor calls heartbreaking.

"A beautiful child by all accounts, and now we're ... at the arraignment of her stepmother for murder. To be perfectly frank, I'm sick of talking about little kids dying," he said.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/new-haven-stepmother-charged-with-murder-and-rape-of-2-year-old-daughter

"A beautiful child by all accounts, and now we're ... at the
arraignment of her stepmother for murder. To be perfectly frank, I'm
sick of talking about little kids dying," he said.

Mr Prosecutor I fully agree with you on this. We are all sick of it.

I hope she is sentenced to life without parole.

Another father who didn't want to pay child support and left his little precious baby to be murdered at the hands of her step monster.

How can this attorney claim this death was an accident? This poor little girl was raped both vaginally and in the anus with multiple objects BEFORE she was beaten to death. Shades of Jose Baez.

So glad she was convicted. Now I hope she gets life in prison. Snipped from article above regarding jury deliberations:

"He (defense attorney) said considering the gravity of charges, deliberations should have taken longer. 'They didn't even ask to see one single exhibit. Shocked is all I can say.' When she was arrested, King told police and relatives that she dropped the two-year-old while in the shower, but investigators said there was evidence found at the home that did not support this."

I'm so glad the jury didn't believe this Jose Baez wannabe lawyer and saw right through this lying beotch. Lily was beaten and assaulted so badly that it was obvious this step monster murdered her. I hope while she rots in jail and that she suffers every day of the rest of her life for snuffing out this precious baby's life. She was such a beautiful angel.

ladibug wrote:Here are a few more details. I don't understand, if what unnamed relatives assert is true, why the Mom allowed this precious child to be alone with a woman "Lily appeared to be afraid of", especially if she truly came home with bruises. What a nightmare for the poor mother.

Wonder if this woman abused her own children like this? Sounds like Huckabee.

"Last Updated: November 23. 2010 5:47PM
New Haven woman charged in sexual assault, death of stepdaughter, 2
Christine Ferretti / The Detroit News

New Haven— As relatives begin funeral services today for 2-year-old Lily Lynette Furneaux-Wolfenbarger, the child's stepmother appeared before a judge on allegations she raped and murdered the girl....

King, 28, a New Haven mother of three, is charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse and first-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with Lily's Saturday death.

"I just want to be able to get out. I swear to God I didn't do this," a tearful King pleaded with Magistrate Joseph J. Plawecki, who ordered her held without bond.

"I just want to be able to see my kids and my husband. … What I'm accused of doing I never would have done."

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said King's own three children were not home and her husband was at work when Lily died Saturday.

New Haven Police Chief Michael Henry said the child's biological mother dropped her off at her father's mobile home, where King also lives, in the Meadow Creek Mobile Home Community around 9 a.m. King called 911 for help, reporting she had an "unconscious child" around 2 p.m. that day, he said.

Smith declined to release specifics about what authorities believe transpired, but said Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz ruled Lily died of blunt-force trauma to the head. She also sustained severe vaginal trauma, Smith said.

"She (King) gave us statements but they do not agree with the evidence found at the scene of the crime," said Smith, adding more details will come to light as court proceedings continue in the case.

"Going forward, we will do what we can to ensure justice."

Smith said Lily is the sixth child under the age of five murdered this year in Macomb County.

Smith said it appears that Lily was sexually assaulted prior to her "horrific death." Henry said several items were taken from the home and sent to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab. Authorities declined to specify what weapons may have been used to sexually assault and kill the child."


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101123/METRO03/11230408/New-Haven-woman-charged-in-sexual-assault--death-of-stepdaughter--2#ixzz16R8lHfn4[/i][i]

The mom was under court order to have Lily at the father's residence.

Here I was reading all this sadness again thinking maybe charges were filed against the father for allowing the previous abuse...or something new, and find 'me' posting. Thanks for answering Twinkletoes. It really gets my ire then - bad enough that the she has to share custody with the father, but he wasn't even home.. What legal right did the 'other woman' have to this child. I liked it better back years ago before everybody's "rights" were considered; when morals prevailed and the emotional stability and safety of the children were considered.

Several cases in the news in the last few days are the same thing... the wrong parent getting custody. And the result... a dead baby.

The little girl that was run to death is another example.