Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Fugitive Kid Killer Busted Boozing During Spring Break on Daytona Beach (March 27, 2026)

Overview

This episode of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace" centers on the dramatic capture of Anthony Grove, a child killer and fugitive from Ohio, who was found blending in with spring breakers on Florida's Daytona Beach. The discussion highlights Grove’s disturbing past, his manipulative encounter with law enforcement during his arrest, and additional criminal charges faced in Florida. The episode also covers two other intense cases: a Pennsylvania woman accused of sadistic child abuse and a lawsuit over an alleged violent altercation at a Golden Corral restaurant.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fugitive Child Killer Caught Partying in Florida

(00:00 – 03:04)

• Shocking Arrest:

  • Anthony Grove, 45, originally convicted for involuntary manslaughter in the 2015 death of his 2-month-old son Zeland (following a domestic dispute), was found drinking on the Daytona Beach seawall while on the run from Ohio.
  • Grove violated his parole and illegally crossed state lines, fleeing thousands of miles from Ohio.
  • His look was noted as “sporting neon green sunglasses, a silver chain and a bizarre Mohawk.”

• Crime Details & Sentencing:

  • In 2015, Grove threw a heavy ceramic mug during an argument. It struck his baby instead of his partner, leading to the infant's death.
  • Rather than murder, Grove was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served only 8 years before parole.

• Manipulative Encounter with Law Enforcement:

  • When approached by Chief Deputy Brian Henderson (Volusia County Sheriff), Grove attempted to evoke sympathy:
    • Quote [03:00]:
      Grove (to Chief Deputy Henderson): “Dude, you lose my son, okay?”
      Henderson (narrating): “You made it sound like your kid died in a car accident.”
  • Revelation: Bodycam footage captured Grove's omission of his own responsibility in his son’s death.
  • Henderson's Reaction:
    • Quote [03:02]:
      Henderson: “As a father that really pissed me off.”

• Additional Charges in Florida:

  • Upon arrest, Grove was found with a THC pen, leading to drug possession charges.
  • He also failed to register as a convicted felon in Florida.
  • He remains jailed in Volusia County, awaiting extradition to Ohio.

2. Pennsylvania ‘Chamber of Horrors’ Child Abuse Case

(03:50 – 07:14)

• Maria Roach’s Alleged Abuse:

  • Roach, 31, is accused of extreme child abuse, turning her Harrisburg home into a place where children were forced to choose their own weapon of punishment.
  • According to police, Roach at one point ordered a child to "retrieve a firearm" and aimed it at a sibling, narrowly missing after pulling the trigger.
  • The children also described being struck with belts, suffering marks on their "necks and arms and backs."
  • Boyfriend William Witherspoon is accused of being a bystander, finding the display “comical,” laughing as it occurred.

• Bravery of Child Victims:

  • One child attempted to secretly unload Roach’s firearms to prevent tragedy.

• Legal Repercussions:

  • Roach is charged with multiple counts including aggravated assault and endangerment of children; Witherspoon faces felony charges for his passive role.
  • Both are held on $10,000 bonds; preliminary hearing scheduled for April 8.

3. Golden Corral Lawsuit: Buffet Brawl Goes to Court

(07:14 – 08:15)

• Incident Summary:

  • Gary Salinger, 59, alleges he suffered a traumatic brain injury, wounds, and was stabbed with a fork after being falsely accused of not paying at a Golden Corral in Henderson, Nevada.
  • He claims to have shown the receipt, but was nevertheless attacked by staff who “choked, slammed [him] into a table, and stabbed [him] with a fork.”
  • Henderson police made no arrests at the scene.

• Legal Action:

  • Salinger is suing for negligence and punitive damages against both Golden Corral and the restaurant manager, seeking accountability and compensation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm going to speak for all the Floridians. We don't want child murderers in our state and we definitely don't want child murderers from another state.”
  — Chief Deputy Brian Henderson, [00:25]

• Bodycam Exchange

  • Grove: “Dude, you lose my son, okay?”
  • Henderson: “You made it sound like your kid died in a car accident.” [03:00]
  • Henderson: “As a father that really pissed me off.” [03:02]

• On Roach’s Alleged Sadism:

  • “She terrorized them with a twisted game of the gun or the belt, leaving the victims to pick their own poison in a house of absolute atmospheric dread.” [03:50]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 — Details of Anthony Grove’s capture and criminal past
• 03:00 — Grove’s manipulative confession to the officer; Henderson’s reaction
• 03:50 — Pennsylvania child abuse case: allegations against Maria Roach and Witherspoon’s passive involvement
• 07:14 — Golden Corral buffet brawl and subsequent lawsuit

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Nancy Grace's well-known no-nonsense, emotionally charged, and justice-driven tone. The storytelling is brisk, relying on vivid language ("stomach-turning display," "twisted game," "absolute atmospheric dread") and dramatic quotes from law enforcement and case details to underline the urgency, horror, and sometimes the absurdity of the cases discussed.