Bonus Minisode #12: Ryan Buttery

Summary

---

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.”

---

Transcript

[A]

This formally Patreon Exclusive Bonus Minisode was Originally released on April 4, 2022. This podcast contains descriptions of violence against children and adult language and is not suitable for all audiences. Listener discretion is adv. Hi everyone and welcome to Suffer the Little Children, the true crime podcast, giving voices back to the victims of child abuse and shining a harsh spotlight on the parents, guardians and caretakers who silence them. I'm your host Lane and this is Patreon Exclusive bonus minisode number 12 Ryan Buttery I've been following baby Ryan's story for a couple of years now on the blog, and now that his mother has been sentenced, I thought it was time to devote at least a minisode to him as well. Sadly, there was not enough information to warrant a full podcast episode and I didn't hear back from any of his family members. I'll jump right into the story. Stacy Nellie Othma Shucart was born on December 18, 1989 to mother Teri Singleton. No father was listed on her birth certificate. Stacy's first child was born in 2006 when she was 16. I was unable to find out where all six of Stacy's surviving children are currently living and whether or not they're still in foster care. At least some of her oldest four children were fathered by a man named Charles Messer. Sean Ryan Buttery, Sr. Was born on June 13, 1987 to Mother Teresa L. Campbell, who has since remarried a man named Lloyd Durham. Shawn was apparently married before his relationship with Stacy. It seems he eloped with Dina Gabbard, his girlfriend, since January of 2011 on March 23, 2015. By the end of that year, however, he met and impregnated Stacy Shucart, who gave birth to the couple's first child in August of 2016. It's unclear when his relationship with Dina ended and his romance with Stacy began. Sean and Stacy ended up having three children together. Now we'll jump ahead in time. On Friday, August 16, 2019, the Bellevue, Dayton Fire Department responded to a home in Dayton, Kentucky after receiving a report of a child not breathing. The child in distress was Sean Ryan Buttery Jr. Known as Ryan to those who loved him. Ryan was two days short of 18 months old and he was just starting to master the art of walking, which he'd only started doing just a few months before. When medics arrived, Ryan was in full cardiac and respiratory arrest while attempting life saving measures. The medics noted what appeared to be prior contusions and lacerations on the baby's body. Ryan's mother, then 29 year old Stacy Shucart, told police that while she baked cinnamon rolls in the kitchen, her son fell, hit his head on the microwave and fell to the ground where he hit his head again. At the time of Ryan's injury, only he, his mother and his three year old sister were home. Several other children were at school and Sean Buttery, Stacy's boyfriend and Ryan's father, was at work in Ken County. At the time. Stacy was nine months pregnant with her seventh child. The little girl would be Sean's third child, all three of whom he shared with Stacy. On that day, none of Stacy's children were legally in her custody. Ryan had been taken from her at birth and placed with a foster family until just a few months prior when a court order placed Ryan and two of his siblings temporarily with Stacy's sister. However, the children had been living illegally with their mother for about a month at the time of Ryan's injury. Detective Peter Shearlow was dispatched to the scene for a child endangerment call, but on his way he received word that the call had been elevated as paramedics were performing CPR on the baby. When Detective Shearlow arrived at the buttery shoe cart home, he witnessed Dayton's fire chief carrying baby Ryan to the ambulance. As the chief passed him, he said.

[B]

To the detective, something is suspicious.

[A]

Ryan was rushed to Cincinnati Children's Hospital where a few hours later he was pronounced dead. An autopsy was conducted and the coroner's report contained a laundry list of injuries Ryan had suffered.

[B]

The report read, this child sustained four fractures to the pelvis, two to the front, two in the back. The child's bladder was detached from his skeletal system.

[A]

Internal bleeding the coroner found several additional injuries, including more fractures and damage to the baby's head and skull. The coroner said Ryan's death was caused.

[B]

By homicidal violence, saying Ryan endured significant traumatic injury that was entirely inconsistent with hitting his forehead on the microwave. While there was a bruise on the child's head that could have been caused by the incident described, this minor injury played no role in the child's death.

[A]

She added that Ryan's injuries were unlike anything she had ever seen due to a home accident and that the baby had instead suffered the level of trauma.

[B]

That she would expect from a serious car accident.

[A]

She believed Ryan's head injuries were caused by a series of forceful blows, and she said it appeared the baby was stomped on and that his arm was broken after being twisted or grabbed. The coroner also noted that Ryan had numerous other bruises, lacerations and scabbed over wounds that appeared to be in different stages of healing, meaning they had occurred prior to the fatal injuries, which she said could not have been caused by Ryan's three year old sister. The other children were at school and police had confirmed that Sean was at work at the time Ryan was injured. That left one suspect, Stacy Shoecart. Meanwhile, Ryan's family said their final goodbyes to him on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at the Dobling Muhlenkamp Urschel Funeral Home in Newport, Kentucky. After several weeks of investigation, the Dayton police announced that Stacy, who gave birth to a daughter at the end of August of 2019, was being charged with first degree manslaughter. Stacy was arrested on Friday, September 13, 2019 and booked into the Campbell County Detention center where she was held on a $1 million bond. A neighbor who did not wish to be identified told a reporter, if she's.

[B]

Guilty, they should throw away the key.

[A]

The man spoke with Stacy at least twice after the baby's death, he said, adding that she seemed emotionless and nonchalant.

[B]

She said her son had run into a microwave table and hit his head and and they didn't think it was that serious. But later his eyes were rolling in his head so they called the life squad. I'm assuming the story she told me wasn't very accurate or they wouldn't be charging her with that serious of a crime.

[A]

Stacy's arraignment took place at the Campbell county courthouse on Wednesday, September 18th. Stacy appeared before Newport District Court Judge Karen A. Thomas via video monitor from the jail. Judge Thomas told the defendant, at this.

[B]

Point, the court has reason to believe the incident likely to have occurred on the Friday the child died. I am going to enter a plea of not guilty for you and set the matter for a preliminary hearing.

[A]

The judge also refused to reduce Stacey's $1 million bond, basing it on the magnitude of the crime the injuries alleged and the fact that she considered Stacy a flight risk. Because Stacey's prior criminal record included charges of first degree bail jumping, probation violation and felony identity theft, among other things. When Stacy told the judge she could not afford an attorney, Judge Thomas appointed a public advocate who asked if Stacy could be released with the signature of a parent or perhaps with an ankle monitor, the judge's response was absolutely not.

[B]

I've made my ruling.

[A]

The same week Stacey was arraigned on her manslaughter charge, Sean Buttery's mother, Teresa Durham, spoke with the press about the loss of her grandson and how it was affecting her son. Teresa said.

[B]

He's lost. My son is lost and it breaks my heart. I couldn't even think about hurting my children.

[A]

What parent could Teresa said she will never forget seeing Ryan's lifeless body, but she clung to the memory of his smiling face instead. According to Teresa, both Stacy and Shawn had struggled with drug addiction in the past but had been trying to regain custody of their children. In fact, Ryan, she said, was only removed from his foster family and placed in Stacy and Sean's home on Thursday, August 5th 15th, the day before he died. Other sources, including later the prosecution team, said the couple's three children were illegally staying with Stacy and Sean for a month prior to Ryan's death. Teresa said of the day of the incident.

[B]

The day before they got him the next day that baby's dead. I don't want his death to be in vain. I want something to come out of it, change so these children quit falling through the cracks.

[A]

The couple's two daughters, then three year old R and one month old A, were in foster care, Teresa said, but Sean had regular visitation with his Girls. On Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, Campbell County Commonwealth's Attorney Michelle Snodgrass questioned Detective Shearlo in court regarding the investigation into Ryan's death. The detectives cited the coroner's report, which.

[B]

Listed injuries multiple traumas to the head which would have had significant immediate neurological.

[A]

Impairment a forearm fracture, at least four pelvic fractures consistent with someone stomping the child, a tear from Ryan's lip measuring three quarter inches by three quarter inches, a displaced bladder and bruising all over. Detective Sherlo said that Stacy did not have custody of Ryan when he was fatally injured. He said the baby was supposed to be with her sister, but that several of Stacy's children were sent to her home throughout the week so they could attend school in Daytona. The sister was responsible for keeping these children safe, but she apparently saw fit to allow their mother to care for them throughout the week unsupervised, even though CPS and at least one judge clearly disagreed. The judge ruled that there was enough evidence to have Stacey's case transferred to a grand jury on the manslaughter charge. Stacy faced 10 to 20 years in prison, but things would only get worse for her from there. On November 14, 2019, the grand jury dismissed Stacy's manslaughter charge in June and instead handed down an indictment of wanton murder, which if Stacy was convicted, could earn her 20 to 50 years in prison. To this charge, Stacy also pleaded not guilty. The case seemed poised to go to trial until finally, on March 1, 2022, 32 year old Stacy Shucart entered a guilty plea to her murder charge. At her sentencing hearing in Campbell county court on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Stacy sat quietly and did not address the court. Stacy's attorney told the court that Stacy understood how wrong her actions were, a.

[B]

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.

[A]

Of violence, Ryan's father, Sean, tearfully told Stacy at the sentencing hearing.

[B]

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.

[A]

Judge Julie Ward sentenced Stacy to 35 years in prison. By Kentucky law, she must serve a minimum of 20 years before she is eligible for parole, Chief Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Mike Zimmerman told the Law and Crime Network in a phone interview.

[B]

I can tell you that in terms of the case itself, this was just a horrifying case. This was an incredibly difficult case. 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. It just really lent us to the conclusion that Stacy Shucart had to go away for a long time.

[A]

The prosecution team felt it was important to prevent Stacy from having access to her surviving children.

[B]

That was part of our thought process in entering into an agreement for a 35 year sentence. Obviously, serving 35 years would put her well into her older years as it relates to her ability to be in their lives. Now we can be sure that these children will grow up to reach the age of majority without her in their.

[A]

Lives, commonwealth Attorney Michelle Snodgrass told Law.

[B]

And this is one that will stick with us for a long time, saying.

[A]

Part of the motivation to reach a plea deal was to save Ryan's relatives the pain and horror of a trial, she added.

[B]

Fortunately for the child's father, Stacy was willing to plead guilty and accept responsibility for her actions. That saves him and the family from having to go through a trial and the appeals process and everything else that process entails. Although it will take them a long time to get over Shawn's death, at least the healing process has started.

[A]

There's not much information available about baby Ryan, so here's what I was able to find out. Sean Ryan Buttery Jr. Was born on February 18, 2018 at 1:30pm he was 21 days overdue, so by the time he was born, he weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces. He was so big he actually got stuck in the birth canal. Medical staff had to push down on Stacy's stomach and pull hard on the baby to help him emerge. Because of the difficulties during birth, Ryan's entire face and head were bruised and he suffered a broken clavicle. Ryan was removed from his parents custody immediately and once he was ready to leave the hospital a couple weeks after he was born, he was placed into the care of a foster family who was reportedly willing to adopt him. As I mentioned, Ryan had just started walking a few months before he died. The following audio is from a Facebook video clip of Ryan taking a few steps during one of his parents supervised visitation sessions.

[C]

Thank you. Yeah, you big boy. Oh, you missed it. Okay, come here. Come on, come on, come on.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Thank you. You're doing good. You're almost there. Yeah, Ryan, you're doing good.

[A]

Come here, Ryan, come on.

[C]

You doing good?

[A]

Come here. Oh.

[C]

Lazy.

[A]

Rest in peace baby Ryan, you will not be forgotten. My sources for this minisode were WAVE 3 News, WLWT 5, Facebook, the Cincinnati Inquirer, Fox 19 now, the Northern Kentucky Tribune 9 ABC, Cincinnati, the River City News, Fort Thomas Matters, Law and Crime, and the Dobling Muhlenkamp Urschel Funeral Home website. That's it for this Patreon exclusive bonus minisode. Join me next time for another story. If you like the show, please follow.

[D]

Or subscribe to Suffer the Little Children on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Spreaker, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast listening app. And please leave me a five star rating and a positive review on your favorite podcast platform. Visit the website at sufferthelittlechildrenpod.com you can support the show by visiting patreon.com stlcpod where you can become a patron for rewards ranging from a shout out by name on the show to exclusive gifts. You can also support the show at ko-fi.com stlcpod Follow the podcast on Facebook and Instagram at Suffer the Little Children pod and on TikTok tlcpod. View photos Related to today's episode on Facebook. This podcast is researched, written, hosted, edited and produced by Lane. Intro theme music is by Dream Note Music and all music for the show is licensed from audiojungle.net for more information about preventing or reporting Child Abuse, visit childhelp.org or call your area's child abuse hotline. And remember, if you see something, say something.