MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan man who
pleaded guilty in his disabled brother's starvation death was sentenced Monday
to a minimum of 30 years in prison by a judge who said the defendant is
"one step away from becoming a psychopath."
Paul Ferguson, 21, pleaded guilty in
December to first-degree child abuse in the death of 15-year-old Timothy Ferguson.
He was sentenced Monday to a minimum 30 years and maximum 100 years in prison.
Timothy Ferguson, who had autism and was
speech- and motor-impaired, weighed only 69 pounds (31.3 kilograms) when he
died in July 2022 at the family's western Michigan home in Norton Shores,
authorities said.
The brothers' mother, Shanda Vander Ark,
44, of Norton Shores, was sentenced in January to life in prison without a
chance of parole after a jury convicted her of murder and child abuse in the
teen's death.
Muskegon County Circuit Judge Matthew
Kacel said he didn't believe Paul Ferguson was sorry for the abusive
punishments, including ice baths, he and his mother carried out that led to
Timothy Ferguson's death.
"The court believes Mr. Ferguson is
one step away from becoming a psychopath like his mother," Kacel said
during Monday's hearing, the Grand Rapids Press reported.
Paul Ferguson and Vander Ark punished
Timothy Ferguson by feeding him hot sauce, subjecting him to ice baths,
depriving him of sleep and locking the refrigerator and food cabinets,
prosecutors said. He died from malnourishment and hypothermia.
Muskegon County Chief Trial Prosecutor
Matt Roberts said Paul Ferguson represents a threat to the public if he doesn't
get mental health treatment while incarcerated.