Appeals denied for Teddy Foltz's mother, killer

YOUNGSTOWN

The 7th District Court of Appeals this week denied appeals to the two people who pleaded guilty for their roles in the death of a 14-year-old Teddy Foltz of Struthers in 2013.

The appeals court ruled against Teddy's mother, Shain Widdersheim, 34, on Monday, and her ex-boyfriend Zaryl Bush, 44, on Tuesday.

Teddy died in January 2013, five days after a beating he received from Bush in front of one of his brothers. Both brothers were enlisted to help Bush try to cover up the crime.

Widdersheim and Bush pleaded guilty to abusing and killing the teen.

In June 2013, Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Bush to 33 years to life in prison after he entered guilty pleas to counts of murder, tampering with evidence and three counts of child endangering.

Judge Krichbaum sentenced Widdersheim to 15 years in prison after she entered guilty pleas to a second-degree felony charge of endangering children, two third-degree felony charges of endangering children, and tampering with evidence in September 2013.

In both cases, Judge Krichbaum sentenced Bush and Widdersheim in excess of the sentences recommended by prosecutors.

Bush and Widdersheim both based their appeals on the fact that Judge Krichbaum abused his discretion by going above the recommendations and by giving consecutive sentences.

Read more about the appelate decisions in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vin.com.