exposing the dark side of adoption
Register Log in

Paradise Homicide

public

Police are investigating an unthinkable crime in paradise; The death of an eight year old child and the beating of her eleven-year old sister. Police have arrested their adoptive parents for murder and abuse.

Officers responded to a home on Crestwood Drive at one Saturday morning where the eight year old had stopped breathing.

Emergency personnel performed CPR and revived her, but she died on the way to the hospital.

Investigators also discovered an eleven year old child with major injuries who was rushed to Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. Seven other children were removed from the home. Officers say six of the nine kids were the biological children of Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz. The three others, including the deceased and the injured eleven year old, were adopted.

Sgt. Steve Rowe from the Paradise Police department is still unsure of a motive. "I think they were disciplining the children and went simply too far than what they should have done," Rowe stated.

Neighbor Elisha Barlet says she is shocked to hear the allegations. "They've always been sweet people and I know their very God-loving and their caring and considerate."

The children were being home schooled. Officers say the parents had no prior history of abuse. Both Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz were arrested and remain in Butte County Jail. The seven other children have been placed in protective custody.

This is the town's third homicide in three years.

2009 Feb 6