DOB: 08/02/1990

Case Number: 2023 100997 CFDL

Stone Sentenced to Prison for Cycle of Neglect and Abuse of Three Children

DELAND – During a hearing on Thursday, defendant Shawn Stone entered no contest pleas to 24 felony charges, which included multiple counts of Aggravated Child Abuse, False Imprisonment and Tampering with a Witness in a Life Felony Proceeding. He was then sentenced to 45 years in prison followed by probation for life.

On May 9, 2023, Stone’s live-in girlfriend and co-defendant Taylor Schaefer reported to law enforcement that she saw him abusing her five-year-old son on home surveillance video while she was away.

The video shows Stone punching and striking the young child with a mop over a bedwetting accident. He was beaten so severely that he sustained a fractured skull. There were also 46 visible injuries reported by Child Protective Services (CPS) following its medical examination.

After Stone’s arrest, investigators uncovered a cycle of neglect and abuse of all three children living in the DeLand home.

Home surveillance video and an interview of the oldest child proved Schaefer knew about the neglect and abuse by Stone and did not intervene or protect them. Text messages between the co-defendants also showed that the mother participated in the neglect and abuse.

“Cases like this ignite the shock, disbelief and anger of any loving parent or caregiver,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “The ongoing vicious abuse caused chronic and profound pain and suffering that no punishment can erase.”

The case was investigated by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Ashley Terwilleger successfully prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Florida. The Honorable Kathleen McNeilly heard the case and imposed sentence.

In March, Schaefer was sentenced to 60 years in prison after entering no contest pleas to 25 felony charges related to this case.