Suffer the Little Children – Bonus Minisode #3: Shae Styhl

Date: January 26, 2025
Host: Lane

Overview

This Patreon-exclusive bonus minisode tells the tragic and harrowing story of three-month-old Shea Anna Marie Stile, a victim of fatal abuse and neglect at the hands of her mother, Sarah Ann Stile, in Muncie, Indiana. Host Lane recounts the progression of the investigation, the evidence of severe physical abuse, the mother’s history of violence, the criminal proceedings, and the aftermath, including the response of family and child protective services. The episode underscores the systemic failures that allowed a vulnerable infant to suffer and ultimately die in horrific circumstances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Incident and Discovery

• [01:00] On June 8, 2019, authorities responded to an emergency at the Muncie YWCA where Sarah Stile had been staying with her baby since Tuesday. Sarah reported that her daughter, Shea, was unresponsive; the baby’s arm was bandaged, her head appeared gray.
• [02:19–02:28] “The baby had what appeared to be burns covering most parts of her body...extensive skeletal trauma, including fractures in both arms and both legs. Shea’s multiple bone fractures...were in various stages of healing.” (Narrator, Lane)
• [02:39] The child also appeared malnourished, with clear signs of neglect and injuries consistent with burns.

Evidence from the Scene and Mother’s Explanation

• [02:51–03:01] In Sarah’s room: bottles of burn spray, diaper rash ointments, icy-hot patches, blood-stained clothing and bedding.
• [03:14–03:20] Sarah claimed Shea had a facial allergic reaction and denied knowledge of other injuries.
• [03:31–03:50] Sarah explained a stroller fall weeks prior and said she used an icy-hot patch on Shea’s arm but never sought medical care due to lack of insurance, insisting hospitals were only for emergencies.
• [03:52–04:00] Sarah became argumentative and requested an attorney when confronted about the injuries.

Witness Testimony

• [04:00–04:29] Two witnesses reported seeing Shea wrapped up, unable to confirm facial injuries; Sarah said no one else had cared for her daughter “even for five minutes.”

Autopsy, Arrest, and Charges

• [04:33–05:08] An autopsy was conducted; even as the cause of death was pending, Sarah was arrested for two counts of neglect of a dependent resulting in death (Level 1 felony—up to 40 years).
• Bond was initially set at $50,000, later raised to $100,000.
• [05:14–05:37] Captain Joe Todd: “The charges were kind of based on what they saw and what they found and less on what she said. It’s bad...the photos that I viewed were shocking...It’s a shame what it appears this baby’s gone through that no one noticed.” (Captain Joe Todd, 05:16)

Institutional Response and Mother’s History

• [05:43] YWCA statement: “Tragedy is never easy, especially when it involves a child... board and staff have fully cooperated with the investigation.” (Watasha Barnes Griffin)
• [05:57–07:56] Sarah’s documented history of violence:
  • 2008: Battery against her older son (then 7 months old).
  • 2017: Domestic battery for attacking her mother; had mental health issues; son removed by DCS.
• Sarah and Shea had previously lived in other shelters; Shea's birth was only in late February 2019.

Autopsy Results and Legal Process

• [07:56–08:00] Autopsy revealed multiple broken bones at various stages, burns, scalding injuries.
• [08:00–08:52] Sarah spent over a year in jail pre-trial. Ultimately, she pled guilty to neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
• [08:35–08:42] “Stile testified that she suffered from blackouts and did not know or remember how the infant sustained multiple broken bones and burns.” (Prosecutor Eric Hoffman)
• [08:54] She admitted awareness of the injuries, but did not seek care.

Sentencing and Prosecutor’s Remarks

• [09:15–09:52] Judge Wolf sentenced Sarah to 40 years (the maximum), overruling her lawyer’s plea for 20 years due to mental illness:
  • Judge Wolf: “A parent has no greater responsibility than to protect her child from harm. Sarah Stile completely and willfully failed to protect her three month old infant in every single way. Shea was completely incapable of protecting herself from her abusive and neglectful mother.”
  • Prosecutor Hoffman: “I don’t recall a single case where the injuries were this extensive, this pervasive. The sheer pain must have been unbearable. Shay lived a very short life of nothing but pure hell. The defendant simply didn’t give a damn.”

Aftermath and Family Response

• [10:01–10:38] Sarah’s mother, Tammy, criticized Child Protective Services (CPS) for failing to act:
  • Tammy: “Shame on CPS. Jay County Shelter, YWCA. They could have saved her. They didn’t. They didn’t listen to me...I want answers from Child Protective Services why they failed a child, the baby. When I contacted them...I insisted on a well baby check. At no time did they follow through.”
  • Tammy stated Sarah was “severely disabled” and “had no business taking care of a child,” expressing the loss of both daughter and granddaughter.

Current Status

• [11:11] Sarah Stile remains incarcerated at the Indiana Women’s Prison; earliest release date is December 30, 2053, by which time she’ll be 67.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:16] Captain Joe Todd:
  • “The charges were kind of based on what they saw and what they found and less on what she said. It’s bad. The photos that I viewed were shocking to me...It’s a shame what it appears this baby’s gone through that no one noticed.”
• [09:15] Judge Wolf:
  • “A parent has no greater responsibility than to protect her child from harm. Sarah Stile completely and willfully failed to protect her three month old infant in every single way...”
• [09:37] Prosecutor Hoffman:
  • “Shay lived a very short life of nothing but pure hell. The defendant simply didn’t give a damn.”
• [10:20] Tammy, grandmother:
  • “Shame on CPS...They could have saved her. They didn’t. They didn’t listen to me.”
• [10:50] Tammy:
  • “I want answers from Child Protective Services why they failed a child, the baby. When I contacted them, I have paperwork to prove it...Of Shay, Tammy said, ‘My granddaughter was the most beautiful baby with the biggest brown eyes.’”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:00] Incident summary and police response
• [02:19–02:39] Initial findings: burns and fractures
• [03:14–04:00] Mother’s statements and witness testimony
• [04:33–05:08] Arrest and charges
• [05:14–05:37] Police commentary and YWCA response
• [05:57–07:56] Sarah’s criminal and mental health history
• [07:56] Full autopsy details
• [08:00–08:54] Legal proceedings and guilty plea
• [09:15–09:52] Sentencing, judicial and prosecutorial remarks
• [10:01–10:50] Grandmother’s criticism of CPS and emotional impact
• [11:11] Sarah’s current incarceration status

Episode Tone

Lane’s narration is solemn, factual, and empathetic, keeping a respectful distance while making clear the outrage and sorrow at systemic failures and the magnitude of suffering endured by Shea. Quotes from law enforcement, judiciary, and especially the victim’s grandmother powerfully highlight the emotional and moral gravity of the case.

Rest well, little Shea. You deserved so much better.

For information about preventing or reporting child abuse, visit childhelp.org or call your area’s child abuse hotline.