Part 6 ~ Nothing in My Wildest Dreams or Worst Nightmares Could Have Prepared Me ...

It was close to noon now and the police had been in my home for close to 6 hours or so. I was still in the front room with my family and husband was in the garage . When I heard my husband shout but couldn't make out what he had said.


The officer who had taken my husband into the garage informed him that our son Jon had confessed to the murder of the unfortunate young man killed at the pizza shop. And that it had been this officer's experience in a case like our's,that it might be a good idea to take our family and move from the area.

My husband's first reaction was.."Bullshit! What did you do to him to make him confess?"...Later we would find out just how true that statement had been. The officer then told him that our son was being arraigned in a half hour at the courthouse in town, and only one of us would be allowed to go, not both.

Nothing in my wildest dreams or worst nightmares would've prepared me for the news my husband was about to share with us. Or the events that were about to take place.

When my husband told us what was going on I nearly fainted. My one daughter literally hit the floor, while the other one started to scream and said.."There is no god"... My 11 year old son began to cry so hard I had to get my breathing machine. He has asthma and was having trouble breathing. I think my children needing me was what kept me from totally falling apart myself. I told my husband to go because I needed to stay with them. Though my heart ached because I wanted so bad to see my son and make sure he was all right.

My husband hurried and left. While my brother in-law stayed with me and the children. Many of the reporters who had been outside our home were now gone to be at the courthouse. I turned on the TV to see if maybe I could see my son. What I saw turned my stomach. And the Image will be forever engraved into my memory. There on the news live was my son being led out of a police car to the courthouse door. He was in a striped uniform, bullet proof vest, and shackles on his hands and ankles. The officer leading him pushed him so hard he nearly fell. I could tell my son had been crying and looked liked he hadn't slept.

He was surrounded by people and reporters. They were calling him a.."cold hearted killer"... That was my son, my little boy. He was my clown, not a killer. They said he looked uncaring yet he had tears streaming down his face. He was frighten and alone and here I was sitting there watching this on TV. I saw him quickly look around and instinctively I knew he was looking for me. And there wasn't anything I could do. I can't explain the emotions I was feeling, there were so many. But the one thing I did know, I knew in my heart and soul that my son didn't do this horrible thing. He was innocent And I would do whatever it took to prove it and bring him home.

My worst Nightmare was only just beginning.

At this point my children were all but hysterical. I wasn't able to help my son right now but I wasn't going to sit by and watch the rest of my family fall apart before my very eyes. I found a strength I didn't know I had and I turned to the officer now babysitting us and told him I needed to get my family help. I demanded that if he didn't get someone there right now I would take them and leave, their rules be damned. And I would find someone myself.


It seemed almost instantly there was a man who came into my living room I don't remember him even coming in the front door he was just there. He told me he was a minister from a local church, who worked with the police and troubled youths in our area. He told me he wasn't sure what was going on but he was told he was needed here. So I told him briefly the situation as I knew it.

He then looked a little surprised he told me he had heard my son's name before that he was supposed to be getting in touch with him. To work with him. He then sat and spoke with my other children. And prayed with us. I can't begin to tell you the calming effect this man had on us all. And I will forever be grateful to him.

At this point the police were beginning to wrap up their search. They had removed bags and bags of what ended up being mostly my other children's things.

Jon and I had had a falling out weeks ago and he had been staying with a friend and her family. He had just come home stay not even two weeks before. So he really didn't have too much of his things there.

Let me say now that with all their searching nothing was ever found here. No evidence was ever found here or anywhere else linking my son or his two friends to this horrible crime.

My husband had now come back from the courthouse visibly shaken. The police were beginning to leave. I introduced him to the minister and told him what had happened. I asked him if he had been able to see or talk to Jon. He said he was able to yell to him and Jon saw him. But they didn't let them have any contact. He said it was a circus and he was glad I hadn't gone. That after they had taken Jon away, the media had descended on him and it was all he could do to get away. One reporter actually stood in front of my husband's truck to try and stop him from leaving.

The minister then told us he was also a jail minister at the county jail. If we'd like and he had our permission, he would go and see Jon that very evening. It was all I had. I jumped at the opportunity told him please do and let him know we love him, we believe in him, and we are behind him. That we didn't believe he did this. He left to take our son our message.

It would be our only contact we had with our son for weeks to come.

Part 5 - Amazing How One Can Find Humor in The Strangest Situations

So now my husband was in the garage. I was left in the front room with my children, and my brother- in law. We were being what I call Babysat by an officer that I think he was from either the state police or the FBI. He was sitting at our dinning table and I guess making sure none of us left or went into any other part of the house.

As I looked around I thought to myself that there certainly was a lot of police here and from a lot of different jurisdictions too. I forgot to mention earlier that there was the COMET team and the State Police here too. It seemed very excessive to me, especially when this crime was later described by an officer in court as..." A simple robbery gone bad".. Why then were the ATF and the FBI involved? I guess a lot of these men were also under cover officers and agents, because when a reporter came to our door. An officer who must have been in charge answered it and told the reporter to go away and that there better not be any of these men's faces appearing on the News. If there was he would see personally that their station would be shut down. Strangely enough I never did see our house on the news ever after that.

So now it was probably close to 10:00 and we were sitting there with this officer who I suppose was trying to be nice. Trying to make small talk? How do you do that, when you are holding a family basically legally hostage??

As we were sitting there, I heard a glass fall and hit the counter in the kitchen. The babysitting officer was looking in that direction. From where we were sitting we could not see the kitchen but he could. He looked a little surprised. And I was getting a little angrier and perhaps a bit braver. I looked at him and said something to the effect of..." Great! Now they're in my kitchen destroying it and breaking things!"... He looked back at me and just said..." No, There 'ain't nobody there. The glass just up and hit the counter. It didn't even break. And there ain't nobody there". I just looked at him, and then it happened again, another glass fell and hit the counter. And Again He said.." There ain't nobody there"...

This time seeing the shock on his face I couldn't resist. I told him it must be our ghost and he is mad because you guys are here messing with his family and destroying his house. I then told him a brief history of our house. That before my in-laws bought the place a jeweler lived here. And one night someone murdered him and no one was sure why, because the jewelry was left behind. That the murder was never solved. The look on this man's face almost made me feel bad but not quite. His eyes were so big and he seemed genuinely upset. A few minutes later he was gone and another officer was put in his place to babysit us. I never did see that officer again.

Perhaps it was a defense mechanism, perhaps it was simply my off sense of humor, but isn't it amazing how one can find humor in the strangest situations.....

Part 4 - And The Nightmare Continued...

After My Daughter and her family had left. I went as I said and woke my children. I tried as best as I could to explain what was going on. Which really wasn't easy because I really wasn't sure myself. But I wanted them awake because I knew from what this sarcastic officer had said and not said. Our house was about to be raided. Raided. I had seen such things on TV shows and the News, but never first hand.

In my whole life I had never been in trouble with the law. A traffic ticket was my worst offense. And here I was about to be raided. I actually went and made sure my house was straightened. Now as I sit here and I think back on it. I remember thinking I would never be good at having a house keeper or maid because I'd want the house straightened before they came to work. Strange the things you think of when you are under stress isn't it? So I did the few dishes that were there, and made our bed.


I then sat with my family and waited for what seemed to be like forever. It was about 5:30 - 6:00am. Then they came. That knock on the door, that horrible knock. Let me tell you it's a knock I'll never forget. A very distinct knock, loud and purposeful. Anyone who has had the police come to their door, knows exactly what I'm talking about. I went to the door and opened it to several men clad in black. Some I had recognized, some I did not. This is a small town. The Officer in charge handed me a paper. It was a warrant to search my home for a murder weapon.


By this time it was getting light outside and I was able to look past these men. I was in awe. The amount of Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, AFT, and FBI vehicles and men, that were outside my home. We live on a pretty busy main road and they had it blocked off. I believe I heard a helicopter overhead as well. Then I saw several News vans and reporters all looking at us. I couldn't believe it. As my stomach began to roll and a few tears ran down my cheek, I turned and handed my husband the paper, the warrant. Then I went to sit with my family again. As I sat there I wondered where was my son? What was happening to him? Was he with them?

I can't say now what exactly was said to us, but it was instructions my family was to follow while we were there corralled in our small living room. They asked us who each of us were. My daughter had a friend staying with us. Her friend's mother had moved and she had wanted to finish her school year here, so she was staying with us. I asked the officer if it would be possible for me to call her mother and let her come and pick her up. That she didn't need to be here she was afraid. He actually let me. I wish I could've sent my children with her. But we were not allowed to leave. He handed me the phone and shaking I called her mother. He watched me the whole time and listened. I then quickly called both my sisters and husband's brother to let them know what was happening and that we were alright. I knew they would see the news and be worried. I then handed the phone back to the officer.

Then an another officer asked if there was any firearms on the premises? My husband who is an avid hunter, answered them honestly, with a simple .."yes". What happened next would've been comical had it been a TV show. Being it was Real life and our lives, it was frightening. At the moment my husband had said yes. We heard what seemed to be every officer in the room's holsters unsnap, and their hands went to their guns. The officer then asked why, and my husband answered.."because I can". They then asked to be shown the firearms.

So now my house had men all over it. Every room. Every nook and cranny. Our personal things all gone through. To total strangers our life became an open book in just minutes. So many things go through your mind. I felt so awful for my children. I could only imagine what would happen when they went back to school. My oldest daughter who still lived at home, had sung at the young man's funeral the night before. My younger daughter had attend the funeral. I sat with my arm around my 11 year old son. We all sat there quietly. I can't imagine what was going through their young minds. I know so much was going through mine. Mainly, where was my son? Was he alright?

My husband on other hand wasn't so quiet. He kept asking questions. And wanted to know where my son was at, what was going on, and if he was alright? At one point my husband was told very sternly to ..."Shut Up". That if he kept asking questions he would be arrested for "Obstruction of Justice" for interfering with the investigation. Then the officer led him out to the garage.

By this time the mother of the young girl staying with us had come, and been allowed to take her daughter. Also my brother in law had come and they allowed him to come inside with us. I found that odd but I was so grateful he was there. And I'll always have a special spot for him in my heart for never turning away from us and supporting us from the very start. Because we did eventually lose friends and family over this.

This was really just the beginning of a long and horrible nightmare. That no matter how I tried to wake up from, I just couldn't.....

Part 3 And The Storm Grew

Well I finally made it home. It was the longest 3 miles I've ever driven. I'm surprised I was able to drive at all. But I guess I was on auto pilot.

I got home and immediately picked up the phone and began calling the station. The officer was obviously getting annoyed and was quite condescending actually. I asked him if he had told my son that I had been there trying to get in and if he knew I was trying to see him? He said Yes he had told him of course. Again another lie.

Later I found out that while I was trying to get in to see my son and calling and calling. My son had asked for me. This same officer told him, they had called me and I had said I knew what he had done and was ashamed of him and didn't want to see him or talk to him. I cringe even now at the thought.

Originally when I had called the station and had my first contact with this same officer. I started to think that maybe they really had taken my son in with other teens and perhaps he was able to help them. How naive I had been. But I was quickly becoming aware of how serious this was.

I remember asking if my son needed a lawyer and the officer responding with.."Do you think your son needs a lawyer?"...It was such a farce. A cat and mouse game to them but to us it was our lives. I was our son's life.

I know too that my son probably thought he was telling him the truth because my son and a friend had gotten into trouble a few weeks before, for drinking. I had been called home from work. I wasn't happy with my son to say the least. When the office then asked me if I wanted then to take my son to the station or take him home? I told him to take him to the station. Hoping it would teach my son a lesson. Tough Love? I'm positive that the officer remembered this and used it that night during my son's interrogation.

My son had asked for his father too. They did not let him call him either. Then my son asked for a lawyer. They again denied him. That was a big mistake on their part. Because by law once you ask for a lawyer they are supposed to stop all questioning and anything you say after with no lawyer present, is not supposed to be used in court. But then My son's interrogation and questioning, was not videotaped. So it became their word against his.

By this time it had to be after 4:00 am. My husband called the station. The officer was now very rude and actually swore at him and told him not to call anymore. That they would be sending someone to our home shortly. He then hung up on him.

About that time my older daughter came in the house. Totally upset. She and her husband were dropping off my 4 year old grand daughter as they did every morning for me to watch while they went to work. But on this particular morning all hell was beginning to break loose.

My daughter wanted to know why there was a sheriff car in our drive way. And why they searched her, her husband, and my 3 year old grand daughter's book bag. I was mortified. I ran out to the drive way and asked the two deputies why they were there? Again I naively thought that they might be there because my son told then something that he may have known, that might have put us in danger. And they were there to protect us. All the deputy said was they were told to came there to secure the property. That they didn't know what or why they were there because they had both just come off a two week vacation? What? It was as if I was truly caught up in some horrible nightmare and no matter how hard I tried to wake up from it. It only got worse.

I went back inside and told my daughter as much as I knew. I then told her to take my grand daughter home. That I suspected that this day was going to be one that she did not need to exposed to. My daughter was crying and wanted to stay. I told her no. She packed up my grand daughter and left.

I was so drained and yet it seemed every nerve in my body was on fire. At this point I went and woke up my other children who were still asleep. I wanted them to be a wake and prepared for whatever there was to come.

And Come They did.....

Part 2 - If Only I Knew Then What I Know Now

If I only knew then what I know Now. How many times had I heard that? How many times have I said it myself?...


After I hung up the phone, I got into my van. Alone in the dark, I drove to the police station. Which is really and old doctors office converted into a small police station. Right in town, 2 to 3 miles down the road from our home.



When I got there, there was no one around. The small parking lot was practically empty, accept for a couple of police cruisers. It was now after 1:30 in the morning. I went to the door and found it locked. I looked inside, the supposed crowded room was totally empty. There wasn't even an officer at the front desk. I pounded on the door several times. Nothing. Then I saw a sign on the wall next to the door and it gave the phone number to the station. I remembered I had my cell phone in my pocket and pulled it out. By this time I had called the station so many times I didn't need to look at the sign to put the number in. It rang and rang. Then I heard the phone at the front desk inside ringing and I realized it was me calling the station. My heart sank. Was this some cruel joke? Finally someone answered the phone. So I looked inside and there still was no one at the front desk.



The person on the other end of the phone was the officer I had spoken to all night. He asked me what I wanted. I told him I was outside the New Baltimore Police station, that the door was locked and I wanted in to see my son. He asked me "Where exactly are you?"...Again I told him outside The New Baltimore Police Station. I told him I'm right outside the door pounding on the it. Can't he hear me? I asked him where everyone was that he had said was in the station making it so crowded? Because I'm looking in the door and the Room is empty as well as the parking lot? I told him I wanted in to see my son right this minute. And I also asked him if he had told my son I was calling and trying to see him? He said of course they had, and he told me to calm down. That he send an officer outside to speak to me. And then he hung up. That was two of many lies I was to be told threw out the next few months. Two lies of many.



By this time I was so emotionally drained that my knees felt weak. There was a picnic table right outside the door. So I sat and waited for the officer to come out and get me. I waited there for what seemed to be an eternity. It was now probably after 2:00am. And here I sat alone in the cold night darkness, confused and scared, and I started to cry. After a bit, a couple of officers came out of the station. I thought this must be the officer who was supposed to come get me. It wasn't. They asked me why I was sitting there alone in the middle of the night, in the dark crying. I was stunned. It took only a moment to compose myself. I told them who I was and that I wanted to see my son Jon, right now. They then told me they had no idea what I was talking about. They said they were just getting ready to start their shift.



They brought me into the station and made a phone call. The one officer spoke to whoever was on the other line for a few minutes. Then hung up and said that my son wasn't at their station. That when they take someone in custody after 9:00pm they take them to the Chesterfield Police Station, in the next town. That their station closed after 9:00pm. And that was where my son was at. They told me I should just go home and wait. That my son would be done soon. Then they took me outside and left.



I stood there just totally unbelieving this was happening. I was standing there, alone again in the darkness of the night, no farther then I had been two hours ago. I was so tired and so confused. I got in my van and started to drive. I was going to go to the Chesterfield Station when I realized I had no idea where it was. I stopped and just cried. I called my husband and told him what had happened. He said they had just built the Chesterfield station and he wasn't sure where it was. He told me to calm down and come home and we would figure something out then.



All I thought about driving home, was my son, and how scared he must be and that he was alone. And then it hit me that this officer I had been speaking to all night. Never told me that they we at the Chesterfield station and not the New Baltimore Station. That he had let me believe Jon was at the New Baltimore station on purpose. And he let me sit outside the New Baltimore Station alone in the middle of the night. Hoping maybe I'd Just go away? Now I was angry. I drove home more awake and angrier then I ever thought possible.



Now as I look back, I think that was the biggest mistake I've ever made in my life. If only I would've tried to find the Chesterfield Station. If only I would've went there, I should of been there.

But here's where you say..."If I only knew then what I know now"...What a truly powerful phrase.

Part 1 - The First Wave Of A Mother's Panic

My name is Cheryl Stepnioski.
I am a mother of 7 and now a grandmother of 11.

In the Fall of 2000. My 18 year old son, Jon, was arrested along with two of his friends, for a murder they did not commit. We live in a small lakeside community outside of Detroit. According to the media, there hadn't been anything like that here in 30 years. It was highly publicized in our area and around the US. You may or may not, have heard about it. It was in New Baltimore, Michigan. A 16 year old young man was shot execution style, in a walk in cooler at a local Pizza Shop in town.

A week later they arrested our son and his two friends. It was the very worst time of my life to say the very least. I remember all too well...

I had come home from work around midnight and went to check on the children as I always did. I noticed Jon wasn't home and questioned my daughter who was awake at the time. My daughter then told me he was at the local police station. That the police had come earlier that evening and had asked my husband if he minded that they brought Jon in for some "routine questioning". My heart sank. I had a very sick feeling, I had grown up in Detroit. I knew there was no such thing as routine questioning. I ran and I woke up my husband. He told me that the police had said they were talking to and questioning all the teens who frequented the Pizza Shop.

My husband had lived here for over 30 years and knew some of the police officers. He said he had offered them something to drink and asked them to sit. And one had actually asked him how his mother was doing. What he was not aware of, was at that very moment they had already picked up Jon and taken him to the station, while he had been out walking with his girlfriend.

I ran to the phone and called the Police Dept. And demanded to speak to my son. The officer that came to the phone told me ..."Not to worry Mrs Stepnioski,your son is fine. You should be very proud of your son. He has been very helpful with this investigation. And As Soon as we're done here. We will be giving him our own personal "Taxi" ride home, right to his very own front door" and he chuckled and hung up.

Now as I write this I can see where he had been messing with my mind and making his own sick joke at my son's and mine expense.I called several times after, to no avail.Each time I called the officer got more agitated. So I finally called my Ex, Jon's father. I told him the situation. He then called the station.They fed him the same line of BS. he finally asked them if he needed a lawyer. the officer told him.."Absolutely not, this is just some routine questioning".

So I called the station again and told them I didn't care what they said I was coming down there. The officer told me it wasn't necessary and that the station was just too crowded. That I didn't need to be there. I told him again I was coming anyway, that I felt my son needed me. He then asked why I thought my son needed me. I told him ..."call it a mother's intuition..." He then chuckled again and made a comment about my son being 18 and not needing his 'mommy'.

My Nightmare was just beginning....