Suffer the Little Children – Bonus Minisode #12: Ryan Buttery

Host: Lane
Original Release: April 4, 2022 (Patreon), November 16, 2025 (public)
Theme: The tragic case of baby Ryan Buttery’s murder by his mother, Stacy Shucart. Lane recounts Ryan’s life, the investigation, prosecution, and the aftermath, shining a harsh spotlight on failures in child protection systems.

Main Theme & Purpose

This minisode gives voice to 18-month-old Ryan Buttery, recounting his short life and the events leading to his brutal death at the hands of his mother, Stacy Shucart. Lane provides a careful, fact-driven overview of the investigation, legal proceedings, and broader systemic failures, with a particular focus on how vulnerable children like Ryan "fall through the cracks."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of Stacy Shucart and Sean Buttery

• Stacy Shucart: Born in 1989, mother to multiple children from various fathers, history of losing custody, troubled upbringing.
• Sean Buttery, Sr.: Ryan’s father, prior struggles, both he and Stacy attempted to regain custody of their children while battling addiction.
• Lane shares confusion around the couple’s relationship timeline and mentions other children from both sides.

2. Ryan’s Short Life and Custody Complications

• Born: February 18, 2018, overdue and suffered complications at birth.
• Immediate Removal: Placed into foster care straight from hospital due to prior CPS involvement.
• Return to Family: Despite warnings, court placed Ryan and siblings temporarily with Stacy’s sister. However, the children were illegally living with Stacy for about a month before Ryan’s death.

3. Circumstances of Ryan’s Death (00:00–04:14)

• August 16, 2019: Emergency call—Ryan not breathing, medics found him in cardiac and respiratory arrest, with noticeable previous injuries.
• Stacy’s Claim: Said Ryan fell and hit his head on the microwave while she baked cinnamon rolls.
• Only Ryan, Stacy, and his 3-year-old sister were home.
• Paramedic/Pediatrician Observations: Prior contusions and lacerations suggested a pattern of abuse.
• Detective’s First Impression: Dayton’s fire chief to Detective Shearlow:

  “Something is suspicious.” (04:11)

4. Autopsy and Coroner’s Findings (04:14–05:14)

• Extensive injuries: pelvic fractures, detached bladder, internal bleeding, and multiple head injuries.
• Coroner’s summary:

  “Ryan endured significant traumatic injury that was entirely inconsistent with hitting his forehead on the microwave... injuries were unlike anything she had ever seen due to a home accident...” (04:47–05:14)

• Clear evidence of repeated, forceful abuse; possible stomping and twisting of limbs.

5. Police Investigation and Charges (Up to 07:45)

• Only plausible suspect: Stacy.
• Stacy’s Arrest: First-degree manslaughter, $1 million bond, due to flight risk and past criminal record (bail jumping, identity theft).
• Judge Karen A. Thomas’s stance:

  “I am going to enter a plea of not guilty for you and set the matter for a preliminary hearing.” (07:02)
  [Regarding bond reduction and release] “Absolutely not. I’ve made my ruling.” (07:43)

6. Family Impact and Systemic Failures (07:45–09:15)

• Ryan’s grandmother Teresa Durham:

  “He’s lost. My son is lost and it breaks my heart... I want something to come out of it, change so these children quit falling through the cracks.” (07:56–08:52)

• Emphasis on repeated failures of the system to protect children like Ryan.

7. Legal Proceedings: Shift from Manslaughter to Murder (09:15–10:53)

• Detective Shearlow testifies to the extent of Ryan’s injuries in preliminary hearing.
• Grand Jury dismisses manslaughter, indicts on wanton murder; potential 20–50 years.
• Stacy pleads not guilty but eventually changes plea.

8. Sentencing and Prosecutor’s Reflections (10:53–12:48)

• March 1, 2022: Stacy pleads guilty to murder.

• March 29, 2022: Sentenced to 35 years (must serve 20 before parole).

• Stacy’s attorney notes:

  “A lot of remorse and this is something she will be dealing with the rest of her life. Her criminal history doesn’t reflect a history of violence.” (10:53)

• Sean Buttery’s impact statement:

  “You don’t know what you’ve done to me. I’m barely hanging on. My boy did not deserve what you did to him, but you have not shown any remorse to me or these kids.” (11:05)

• Prosecutor Mike Zimmerman:

  “One of the more horrific murders that I’ve seen in my time as a prosecutor... Anytime you deal with the murder of a child, particularly at the hands of the child’s biological mother, it’s tough.” (11:30)

• Purpose of plea: ensure Stacy cannot access her surviving children and spare family the trauma of a high-profile trial.

• Commonwealth Attorney Michelle Snodgrass:

  “This is one that will stick with us for a long time...” (12:18) “[The plea] saves him [Sean] and the family from having to go through a trial and the appeals process... at least the healing process has started.” (12:29)

9. Remembering Ryan (12:48–14:19)

• Born overdue, suffered birth injuries, immediately placed into foster care.
• Rare moments of joy: Lane plays a Facebook audio clip of Ryan learning to walk during a supervised visit.

  “Yeah, you big boy... You’re doing good. You’re almost there. Yeah, Ryan, you’re doing good.” (13:48–14:19)

• Lane’s closing:

  “Rest in peace baby Ryan, you will not be forgotten.” (14:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Fire Chief at scene: “Something is suspicious.” (04:11)
• Coroner: “Ryan endured significant traumatic injury that was entirely inconsistent with hitting his forehead on the microwave.” (04:47)
• Judge Karen A. Thomas:

  “Absolutely not. I’ve made my ruling.” (07:43)

• Teresa Durham (Ryan’s grandmother):

  “He’s lost. My son is lost and it breaks my heart... I want something to come out of it, change so these children quit falling through the cracks.” (07:56–08:52)

• Sean Buttery at sentencing:

  “You don’t know what you’ve done to me. I’m barely hanging on. My boy did not deserve what you did to him, but you have not shown any remorse to me or these kids.” (11:05)

• Prosecutor Mike Zimmerman:

  “One of the more horrific murders that I’ve seen in my time as a prosecutor.” (11:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Episode intro, background on Stacy, Sean, and family | | 02:30 | Events leading up to Ryan’s death | | 04:11 | Scene arrival, “Something is suspicious” | | 04:27–05:14| Autopsy and coroner’s report on Ryan’s injuries | | 06:23 | Neighbor’s statements | | 07:02–07:45| Arraignment, bond discussion, judge’s responses | | 07:56 | Teresa Durham’s reflections on loss and system failures | | 09:15–10:53| Legal proceedings, grand jury, escalation to murder charge| | 10:53–12:48| Stacy’s sentencing and prosecutors’ commentary | | 13:48–14:19| Audio of Ryan taking first steps | | 14:19 | Lane’s closing tribute to Ryan |

Tone and Delivery

• Lane’s narration is clinical, empathetic, and precise.
• The episode is somber and measured, focused on facts but not shying from expressing heartbreak or outrage over systemic failures.
• The mini-episode is devoid of sensationalism, centering Ryan and his memory.

Summary

This minisode offers a poignant, meticulously detailed look at the tragic case of Ryan Buttery. Lane outlines the family’s troubled history, the failure of protective systems, and the evidence leading to Stacy Shucart’s conviction. Through courtroom testimony, family grief, and a memorial audio clip, the episode gives voice to Ryan and insists on the importance of learning from such cases to protect future children: “If you see something, say something.”