Couple faces multiple charges in brutal pattern of child abuse.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office has announced that Shawn M. Stone, 32, who had been in custody since May 9 on one count of aggravated child abuse, now faces twenty-three additional counts relating to repeated abuse and neglect against a 5-year-old boy. Meanwhile, the boy's mother, Taylor B. Schaefer, 28, has been deemed aware of the abuse and witness to the horrifying acts and has been charged with twenty-five similar offenses for continuously failing to intervene or report the abuse, as revealed by investigators.

The case unfolded when Schaefer dialed 911 to report her suspicions about Stone abusing the victim and subsequently verified her concerns by reviewing video footage obtained from inside the residence during the execution of a search warrant on the day of Stone's initial arrest.

Disturbingly, the investigation uncovered multiple recordings capturing the victim enduring beatings while Schaefer was in the household. Furthermore, the footage depicted instances where the child was visibly injured, limping in Schaefer's presence, and did not receive care or medical attention.

The cameras installed within the residence also recorded Stone yelling at the visibly bruised and injured victim, with Schaefer appearing in some instances instructing the child to stand up straight. The sounds of abuse could be heard throughout the house, further highlighting the severity of the situation.

Medical professionals who examined the victim uncovered forty-six visible injuries, including a fractured skull and internal injuries. In addition to the abuse captured on video, investigators discovered that the victim suffered further torment, including being bound and confined in a dog cage. Furthermore, the child endured periods of food deprivation as a punishment. Another child who lived within the household suffered from forced consumption of and being sprayed with boiling water, as well as enduring beatings with various household objects. This child also witnessed the brutal abuse inflicted upon the younger victim.

According to a release, the couple’s charges include aggravated child abuse, child neglect, false imprisonment, failure to report child abuse, conspiracy to commit those crimes, evidence, and witness tampering. Stone was charged with his additional counts Friday afternoon while still in custody without bond at the Volusia County Branch Jail. Schaefer has not been located as of this writing.

*** Update 6/5/23/ 11:24 a.m. ***

Taylor Schaefer was taken into custody on her VSO warrants late last night in Pasco County.