Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole. Get PH๏τo

Ronald Ambrose, appellate defense attorney, talks with Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, after she testified during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

From left, Shanda Vander Ark, Timothy Ferguson and Paul Ferguson. Vander Ark and Paul Ferguson are serving lengthy prison sentences on charges related to Timothy’s death. Vander Ark and the older Ferguson starved and tortured Timothy for months leading up to the boy’s death. Timothy weighed 69 pounds when he was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in a closet on July 6, 2022.

The home (middle) where the Vander Ark/Ferguson family lived on Marshall Road in Norton Shores, Michigan. Timothy Ferguson, 15, was found tortured to death in July of 2022. Timothy’s mother Shanda Vander Ark was convicted of murder and child abuse, she is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. Timothy’s brother, Paul Ferguson, is serving a minimum 30 years for first-degree child abuse.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Pictured is a bottle of Elijah’s Xtreme Regret, a H๏τ sauce used as punishment for 15-year-old Timothy Ferguson. Timothy died July 6, 2022, after suffering from months of torture and abuse at the hands’ of his mother, Shanda Vander Ark, and older brother, Paul Ferguson. Timothy weighed 69 pounds when he died.

Pictured is a pair of shackles police discovered in Shanda Vander Ark’s home shortly after 15-year-old Timothy Ferguson’s death. Timothy died July 6, 2022, after suffering from months of torture and abuse at the hands’ of his mother, Shanda Vander Ark, and older brother, Paul Ferguson. Timothy weighed 69 pounds when he died.

Pictured is the closet Timothy Ferguson was forced to sleep in each night along with a urine-stained tarp. Timothy died July 6, 2022, after suffering from months of torture and abuse at the hands’ of his mother, Shanda Vander Ark, and older brother, Paul Ferguson. Timothy weighed 69 pounds when he died.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies in court during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Norton Shores Lt. Joel Hoeksema listens in as ᴀssistant prosecutor Heather Bloomquist cross-examines Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, as she testifies court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole. Hoeksema was involved in the police investigation.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Ronald Ambrose, appellate defense attorney, hands Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, a paper to read as she testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

ᴀssistant prosecutor, Heather Bloomquist, cross-examines Shanda Vander Ark (not pictured), the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, as she testifies in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Judge Matthew Kacel asks Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, as she testifies in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

ᴀssistant prosecutor, Heather Bloomquist, shows Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, a paper as she testifies in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies in court during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

ᴀssistant prosecutor, Heather Bloomquist, cross-examines Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, as she testifies in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death

Attorney Ronald D. Ambrose, left, provides a transcript to trial attorney Fred Johnson takes the stand as former client Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death.

Trial attorney Fred Johnson takes the stand as former client Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death.

Shanda Vander Ark, 46, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appeared virtually for a motion hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon on Friday, July 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death.

Shanda Vander Ark, 46, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appeared virtually for a motion hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon on Friday, July 25, 2025. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death.

Pictured in this undated pH๏τo is a young Timothy Ferguson. The pH๏τo was shown during Shanda Vander Ark’s sentencing in Muskegon County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Vander Ark was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for torturing 15-year-old Timothy to death. He weighed 69 pounds when he died. (PH๏τo provided by Muskegon County Circuit Judge Matthew Kacel)

Timothy Ferguson’s sister, Millie Ferguson, gives a victim impact statement during Shanda Vander Ark’s sentencing at the Muskegon County Courthouse on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Vander Ark, who was convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son, Timothy Ferguson, to death, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Shanda Vander Ark appears for her sentencing at the Muskegon County Courthouse on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Vander Ark, who was convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son, Timothy Ferguson, to death, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Defendant Shanda Vander Ark, 44, during the prosecutor’s opening statement at the Muskegon County Courthouse on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023. Vander Ark is accused of torturing her 15-year-old son, Timothy Ferguson, to death in July 2022.

Shanda Vander Ark, 44, touches her face during opening statements at the Muskegon County Courthouse on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

ᴀssistant prosecutor, Heather Bloomquist, cross-examines Shanda Vander Ark (not pictured), the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, as she testifies in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Ronald Ambrose, appellate defense attorney, talks with Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, after she testified during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, appears in court for a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole.

Shanda Vander Ark, the mother convicted of torturing her 15-year-old son to death, testifies during a Ginther hearing seeking a new trial at Muskegon County Circuit Court in Muskegon, Mich. on Friday, March 20, 2026. Vander Ark’s defense claims she was in a “catatonic state” throughout her trial that featured disturbing testimony of how she inflicted cruel punishments on her son, Timothy Ferguson, leading to the boy’s death. She is currently serving life in prison without parole