Man gets 3 years for death of foster daughter

HEATHER CHAPIN-FOWLER

She died in Efaw's custody one year ago yesterday.

"I get no comfort from that graveyard, because it's so cold and lonely," said Debbie Stover, Dixon's step-grandmother, who became very emotional when she addressed Efaw at his sentencing.

"How could you do that to her? You had no right to take her life," said Stover. "And, I will never believe those wounds on you were inflicted by Connre nor will anyone in my family."

Connre was a foster child who was living with Efaw and his family at his Ridgefield Township home when she died from five stab wounds to the chest on Oct. 18, 2004, following an altercation with Efaw, according to testimony during his nine-day jury trial last month.

Connre was stabbed in a barn on Efaw's property, and Efaw also suffered wounds. During his trial testimony, Efaw said he did not remember stabbing Connre.

Connre was placed in foster care in 2004 after the Huron County Department of Job and Family Services removed her and her siblings from their home with their parents, Ronald and Zandra Dixon, in Willard.

The children's parents struggle with drug addictions and were deemed unfit by the Huron County Juvenile Court to care for their children, the Huron County Prosecutor's Office has said.

After retiring from a hospital security position, Efaw, 59, became licensed by the state to care for children in his 3380 SR 99 home with his wife Diane, according to testimony at last month's jury trial.

Dixon was the first child placed in Efaw's care, and on Oct. 18, 2004, she obtained a knife from a barn on the property and began threatening Efaw, his 7-year-old daughter and another foster child in the family's custody, according to testimony.

Yesterday, Efaw and his son, Paul Efaw Jr., told Judge Earl McGimpsey that he is remorseful for the girl's death.

"No one wanted this to happen. I'm 59 years old. I wanted to help kids," said Paul Efaw as his voice cracked with emotion.

Stover accused Efaw of feeling no remorse over Connre's death, which he disputed.

"To say I'm not remorseful ... This is something that has affected me physically and mentally," said Efaw.

"We are so scarred," yelled Stover tearfully of the mental anguish Connre's family has suffered because her death.

"If I would've known, I would have gone to jail to keep her away from him," said Stover. She recalled the last visit with Dixon nine days prior to the girl's death. "She begged me, ÔPlease don't send me back to the Efaws,"' said Stover.

Stover and her husband, Dale, considered taking Connre into their home. Citing her work schedule and her husband's disability, the couple decided it "would be best" for Connre to live in a home that could better care for her, said Stover.

"We wanted something better for her. We wanted her to get counseling," said Stover.

Dixon's father also questioned "how (Efaw) could do it" at yesterday's hearing, but sat down after becoming choked with tears prior to the sentencing.

As McGimpsey sentenced Efaw, Zandra Dixon and Stover quickly and silently left the courtroom, along with other family members while the judge continued to speak.

McGimpsey said his decision to give Efaw three years was based on Efaw's clean record, the unlikelihood of acting violently again and that Connre's actions also contributed to the situation.

McGimpsey said he also recognizes the great amount of emotion in the courtroom; however, the judicial system makes rulings based on the law, not emotion, he said.

First-time offenders of voluntary manslaughter commonly receive a minimum sentence, according to the judge.

Prosecutor Russ Leffler had asked the court for a sentence "greater than five years," adding that a nine- or 10-year sentence would be more appropriate for the crime.

Leffler told McGimpsey a light sentence would diminish the public's respect for the court, which Efaw's attorney Laura Perkovic disputed.

Perkovic requested community-control sanctions instead of prison, arguing that Efaw has never been convicted of a crime and was not likely to act violently again.

"He has led a law-abiding life for 59 years. He never meant for any harm to come to this child," said Perkovic.

Efaw has the right to file for judicial release within 180 days of entering prison, McGimpsey told him before sheriff's deputies took him into custody. Efaw also has the right to file a motion with the court to be released on bond until an appeal can be decided by the district court, McGimpsey also told him.

"We're disappointed. ... I would have gone nine, 10 years and gone to sleep easy," said Leffler following the sentencing.