Struthers woman charged in son’s death faces judge
YOUNGSTOWN
The Struthers woman charged in the death of one son and abuse of two others made her first appearance before a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge.
Shain Widdersheim, 32, of Creed Street, Struthers, appeared Thursday before Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for a hearing on procedural matters in the charges against her and her request for bond.
A county grand jury indicted Widdersheim on charges of involuntary manslaughter, four counts of child endangering and one count of obstructing justice. She is represented by Atty. Douglas King.
Widdersheim’s former boyfriend, 43-year-old Zaryl G. Bush of 533 Creed St., was indicted on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, six counts of endangering children, two counts of intimidation and one count of tampering with evidence in the same case.
Charges against the two relate to the death Widdersheim’s son, Teddy Foltz, 14, who died in late January. The indictment also includes charges related to the abuse of Widdersheim’s other two younger children.
One matter addressed Thursday was wording in one of the indictments.
One indictment says Widdersheim “recklessly abused” one of her children.
Rebecca Doherty, an assistant county prosecutor, asked the court to change the wording to remove the word recklessly.
The judge agreed, and the amended indictment simply states Widdersheim did abuse her child.
Judge Krichbaum made it clear he intends to try Widdersheim and Bush together in one trial.
Widdersheim, who had been set for trial Monday, also signed a waiver-of-speedy trial form, meaning prosecutors and defense attorneys now have more time to prepare.
The judge set the trial date tentatively for May 20 with Bush, but that date may be moved to June.
Widdersheim has been in the county jail on a $200,000 bond. The issue of bond will be addressed again at a later date when King files a motion with the court to amend the bond.
Judge Krichbaum ordered Widdersheim jailed without bond until the motion has been filed and he has had time to address it. He said the matter will be handled no later than three days after the filing of the motion.