Charges in chained girl's death

CENTREVILLE, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - The parents of a teenage girl who was found chained to her bed after a house fire now face criminal charges.

16-year-old Calista Springer died when her family's house caught on fire in February. Calista's adoptive mom, Marsha Springer, escaped from the burning home.

The girl's parents say they chained Calista to keep her from wandering around due to emotional problems. Investigators say Calista had a dog choke-collar around her waist when they found her.

The house where Calista died has been torn down, and the space is now a parking lot. There is a plaque at the site in Calista's memory.

Many people in the area say they are relieved that the parents have been criminally charged. While the house may no longer be standing, what happened at the scene has not been forgotten.

"We used to look at the condition of the house, where her bedroom was and what could have happened," said Deborah Nuyen whose parents live right next door.

In the nine months since Calista's death, some worried that charges would never come. Since that day in February, investigators say they believed someone had to be held responsible for Calista's death.

"I felt it from the beginning, so did everybody in our office," said Prosecutor Doug Fisher. Who says he wanted to make sure every avenue was explored before decided on charges.

Now Anthony and Marsha Springer face one count each of manslaughter and first degree child abuse.

There had been complaints filed with Child Protective Services about Calista's treatment well before the fire that took her life. In one instance, a friend's mother reported it after Calista, in her own handwriting, described being chained to her bed.

Prosecutor Fisher says he didn't know about the complaints.

"If we had any idea this activity with her being bound was occurring, there would have been prompt, preventative action by this office and probate court," Fisher said.

The Springers will be arraigned in court on December 15^th. If convicted, the Springers could face up to 15 years in prison.