Pretty Little Killers (59 page)

   
J
UNE
24

       
Planned protest for Greene County coroner's office is canceled after coroner agrees to release Skylar's remains
.

   
J
ULY
3

       
Mary, Dave, and Carol visit with Skylar's remains at Morgantown Detachment of WVSP
.

   
J
ULY
10

       
Dave receives word the Greene County coroner will release death certificate so Skylar's memorial service can be held
.

   
J
ULY
20

       
The public turns out for Skylar's final memorial service
.

   
S
EPT
. 4

       
Shelia's status changed from juvenile to adult when she is transferred to criminal court; for the first time mainstream media reveals her identity in this case
.

   
S
EPT
. 5—6

       
Shelia indicted on four felony counts during September term of grand jury
.

   
S
EPT
. 17

       
Shelia pleads not guilty to all four counts at her arraignment
.

   
S
EPT
. 30

       
Michael Benninger files motions on behalf of his client, Shelia Eddy
.

   
O
CT
. 15

       
Judge Clawges hears motions in
State of West Virginia v. Shelia Eddy.

   
D
EC
. 2

       
Shelia's trial date is rescheduled from February 11 to January 28
.

2014

   
J
AN
. 24

       
Shelia pleads guilty to first-degree murder for her role in Skylar's death. She is sentenced to life in prison. She will be eligible for parole in fifteen years
.

   
J
AN
. 29

       
Clawges signs the order to have Shelia transferred from juvenile detention to Lakin Correctional Facility for Women, the only women's prison in West Virginia
.

   
F
EB
. 26

       
Judge Clawges sentences Rachel to thirty years in prison for her role in Skylar's murder. She will be eligible for parole in ten years. He sets a hearing for June 6, to determine if Rachel will also be transferred to Lakin on June 10, when she turns eighteen
.

Red Flags for Parents to Watch for—and Prompt Actions to Take

  
1.
   
Your child is overly secretive
.

        
Teens can become secretive as they gain more independence. Strive for an open-door policy, and encourage communication by talking to your child about your life and interests, too. Encourage your child to open up by getting involved in activities they enjoy, such as playing video games, reading the books they like, shopping for clothes, playing outdoor sports, or some other form of recreation, hobby, or social cause. As you interact on a regular basis, your child or teen will naturally open up and confide in you more.

  
2.
   
Your child asks you to “cover” for her friend
.

        
Stay involved and supervise your child or teen's interactions, but don't lie for her or her friends. Explain to your teen lying only makes more problems and doesn't build good character, and if necessary, explain it to her friend, too. If you feel your teen may be headed for trouble or have friends who are, take them to the mall yourself and supervise them instead of dropping them off to run around on their own.

  
3.
   
Your child tries to sneak online
.

        
One of the best pieces of advice for today's parents comes from parenting and law enforcement experts. They say one of the most important ways to protect children and teens is keep the computer in an open area of the home—not a bedroom. This helps reduce the likelihood your teen will begin chatting with an online stranger who could be a dangerous predator, or become involved in digital bullying.

  
4.
   
Your child seems to be on their smartphone nonstop
.

        
Experts advise parents to limit their child or teen's use of these tools. This will automatically reduce the amount of time they spend with their friends through chats, texting, and phone calls. It will also limit their online surfing. Set up workable boundaries such as: “No calls after 9 p.m.” or “You can only call or text friends we've pre-approved.” There are also apps you can install to track your child's phone usage. Many parents have found great success with them. If you are concerned about your child's phone usage, you may want to randomly search its contents.

  
5.
   
You find out your child is behaving badly on social media
.

        
Today's teens live on social media, and experts say it's causing them to become antisocial. The first way to prevent this is to explain the rules for acceptable online behavior. Second, set time limits. Third, learn what social media sites are popular with teens and create your own accounts. Assure your teen you will be watching her online behavior. If you see something suspicious like online bullying, put an immediate stop to it and discipline your teen accordingly. Download or purchase software or apps that help you monitor your teen, such as
uKnowKids.com
.

  
6.
   
Your child sneaks out at night
.

        
Discipline promptly and firmly to avoid repeat behavior. Explain why you are taking a privilege and do not back down—no matter what. When you say “yes,” mean it. Ditto for “no.”
Parents who repeatedly give in because it's inconvenient to follow through with the promised discipline measures teach their children to be irresponsible. Require your child to earn back your trust. If necessary, take the lock off your child's bedroom door and be prepared to lock windows from the outside. Make sure your child knows sneaking out is unacceptable behavior.

  
7.
   
Your child has an unexpected, negative personality change
.

        
If you notice any unacceptable behavior, such as hateful and disrespectful language or violent speech or actions, make it clear this will not be tolerated. If it only happens when your child is around certain friends, curtail the friendship. (A word of caution: If you do not see a clear connection, have a firm but loving heart-to-heart with your child. This could be a serious problem such as sexual abuse or drug use.)

  
8.
   
You find weed or other drugs (including alcohol) in your child's possession
.

        
Many parents turn a blind eye to some amount of drug or alcohol use today. That's a big mistake. If your child is using, chances are she is well on the road to abusing one substance or another. Sit down and explain why it's harmful and discipline accordingly. Make it clear drug and alcohol use is unacceptable in your home. Follow through by not misusing alcohol yourself. If you as a parent have a known drug problem that you refuse to get under control, chances are your child will, too.

  
9.
   
Your child lies to you about who she is with or where she will be
.

        
Tell your child lying is unacceptable, and explain why it causes other people to lose trust in her. Set the proper example by being honest with your child and other people. If your child has been dishonest while with her friends, curtail any association with those friends for a specific time. If the problem continues, cut off that friendship—in real time and online.

10.
   
Your child seems obsessed with one of her friends
.

        
Using gentle questions, try to find out what it is about the friend that your child likes. See if your teen feels like something is missing in her life. Try to fill that gap and draw closer to your child—while still acting like an authority figure, not her friend. More than ever, today's teens need parents who can set limits for them—and stick to them. They will respect you if you do this and don't break your own rules. Ultimately, they will be healthier and happier for it, and appreciate that you cared enough to intervene.

Acknowledgments

Telling this tragic all-too-true story has been an honor. It has taken tremendous time and effort from many people without whom this book would never have come to fruition. The entire creative team at BenBella Books has been fabulous, from Publishers Glenn Yeffeth and Adrienne Lang to Clarissa Phillips, Annie Gottlieb, James Fraleigh, Sarah Dombrowsky, Monica Lowry, Jennifer Canzoneri, and Lloyd Jassin.

A special word of thanks goes to Editor Erin Kelley, who took our “baby” and gave it just the right amount of tender loving care so it could face the world on its own.

In addition, we cannot thank our publicist enough. Michael Wright (and his partner, Leslie Garson) did an outstanding job, whether working with local or national media. He went above and beyond.

A handful of people deserve special mention: Mary and Dave Neese, who were courageous enough to share their story with us; Katherine Boyle, the best agent ever, and one we were so fortunate to find; Ken Lanning, whose analytical skills prevented us from being blinded by easy answers; Diane Tarantini, who provided an endless stream of encouragement and whose eagle eye helped our words shine; and Kinsey Culp, who helped Daleen survive this journey.

We have tried to list everyone who was generous with their time and information, but if we forget anyone, it is no reflection on your contribution to this story, or your efforts to sustain us as we wrote
it. Among this group are family and friends who supported us, fellow writers who loaned us their writing ear, the investigating officers who worked this case, and last but certainly not least, the teenagers who knew Skylar, Rachel, and Shelia. They were among the most courageous people to come forward with the knowledge that helped us piece together how this terrible crime happened.

They include Shania Ammons; Courtney Austin; Becky Bailey; Linda Barr; Trooper Chris Berry and Alexis Berry; Ted Bice; Commissioner Tom Bloom; Cathy and Mike Callison; Jordan Carter; Jocelyn Claire; Officer Jessica Colebank; Dylan and Debby Conaway; Jill Damm; Lexi Dean; Dan Demchak; Eric and JoJo Finch; Winston Fuller; Bri and Beth Gardner; Corporal Ronnie Gaskins; Shelley Gilbert; Julie Haught; Dyllan Hines; Kirsten and Tonya Hiser; Alesha Holloway; Becky Hood; Lauren Housman; Daniel Hovatter; Amorette and Penny Hughes; Candace Jordan; Sheriff Al Kisner; Kelsey Konchesky; Cameron Lancaster; David, Cheryl, and Morgan Lawrence; Fantasia Liller; Hayden McClead; Meredith Marsh; Delegate Charlene Marshall; Connie Merandi; Carol, Kyle, and Steve Michaud; Kristen Miller; Phyllis Moore; Cheri Murray; Joanne Nagy; Michael Neese; Cynthia Nelson; Chief Vic Propst; Destinee Pyles; Mary Beth Renner; Ashley Riffle; Sarah Robinson; Rick Stache; Crissy Swanson; Nancy Weber; Kelly Wilkes; Kevin Willard; Ariah Wyatt; Chuck Yocum; and all the people who talked to us, even if only anonymously.

However small or great, your contribution has been immensely important as we raced toward our deadline to finish this book. We cannot, no matter how much we try, thank you enough.

_________________________

¹
As heard on the episode “Something Wicked,” which aired March 7, 2014.

²
The body was later identified as Christina Nicole Terry, 33, of Fairmont, West Virginia. In July 2013, Kevin Utter, a Morgantown man, was sentenced to forty-three years in prison for strangling her to death.

³
Dated September 20, 2011, the journal entry came from Skylar's sophomore Honors English portfolio.

⁴
A handmade gold or silver object that is said to symbolize the Christ child.

⁵
Tara Eddy-Clendenen declined to be interviewed.

⁶
Liz is not her real name.

⁷
Jim Clendenen declined to be interviewed.

⁸
Lee Barker is not his real name.

⁹
Not his real name.