Renee King

Case record: Renee King

Overview

Renee King was sentenced in Macomb Circuit Court for the 2010 murder of her stepdaughter, 2-year-old Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger. The court also sentenced King to terms for first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree child abuse. A jury found King guilty following a trial in February, and the jury verdict included first-degree murder, child abuse, and criminal sexual conduct.

Background

Renee King was a New Haven woman. At the time of the incident, she and Jeffrey Wolfenbarger were married and lived at a home in a trailer park in New Haven.

Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger lived in Lapeer with her biological mother, Lauren Furneaux, and Furneaux’s family. Lily had been visiting Wolfenbarger’s home in New Haven for the weekend when she died. Police said Jeffrey Wolfenbarger left Lily in King’s care when he left for work.

Jeffrey Wolfenbarger and King later experienced divorce proceedings around the time of sentencing. Wolfenbarger’s divorce was OK’d by Judge Mary Chrzanowski only about one hour before the sentencing in another courtroom.

King was 30 at sentencing (and described as 28 during earlier trial coverage). King had three other children from other relationships. Two children were residing with her mother, Diane King, while the third child was living with her father. The state sought to terminate Renee King’s parental rights in May, and two children may have sought guardianship in light of that.

Lauren Furneaux founded an organization called “Justice for Lily” after Lily’s death. Furneaux created a Justice for Lily web site and Facebook page, sought legal nonprofit status, and raised about $35,000 for child advocacy groups. The campaign sought to raise $1 each from 35,000 people by the end of April to donate to Carehouse in Macomb County and The Advocacy Center in Lapeer, where Furneaux resided with her parents Lynette and Chico.

Supporters of the Furneuxes attended the sentencing hearing, and many wore T-shirts and carried photos of Lily and posters. Some T-shirts included “Fight like a Furneaux,” “Justice for Lily,” and “I am Lily’s voice.”

The offence

In November 2010, Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger died while under Renee King’s care in a New Haven mobile home/trailer park home.

The prosecution argued that Lily was killed after temper tantrums and after Lily soiled her pants in King’s care. King was alone with Lily on Nov. 20, 2010, for three hours before dialing 911.

King alleged that Lily died from two accidental falls caused by King’s bad back. King claimed Lily died after falling in the shower/bathroom and again while King was trying to revive her or while carrying her to a phone.

Authorities alleged that King used multiple objects to insert into the child’s vagina, tearing away at the skin, before using an unknown object to strike her in the head, killing her. An autopsy showed evidence of a sexual assault and that the girl died from blunt-force trauma to the head. Prosecutors said the child suffered a penetrating injury to her genitals caused by an unknown object, and that a tiny artificial fiber was found inside her vagina. The prosecution also described multiple head traumas, including repeated blows and clusters of impacts.

A defense theme was that Lily suffered a medical condition that caused her to fall. Defense argued that Lily fell again while King was trying to revive her. A defense expert witness, Bader Cassin, supported the defence position that the vaginal injury could have been caused by landing on a bathtub or shower ledge or faucet.

The autopsy evidence was described as including at least 20 injuries to the child’s head area, with injuries comparable to trauma experienced in a car crash when the head was slammed into the floor over and over again. Prosecutors also said the injuries included hemorrhaging to the brain and bruises to the skull, and that three head traumas occurred on Nov. 20, 2010.

Investigation and police statements

After King called 911 to report the little girl was unresponsive, officials said King gave investigators inconsistent statements about what happened to the girl.

Prosecutors said King cleaned up the scene and Lily before dialing 911. Defense counsel attacked the quality of the investigation by alleging that New Haven police immediately believed King beat Lily. The defence argued that police initially believed they found an extensive amount of blood in the bathroom based on a detection device, and found a towel outside the home, but that samples returned negative from the Michigan State Police Crime lab. The defence also argued that tiny amounts of Lily’s blood were found on bedroom carpet, a paper towel and a cloth towel in the living room.

A doctor, Emergency room Dr. Glenn DeLonge, testified he examined Renee King at then-Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center on Nov. 12, 2010, eight days before Lily’s death. Dr. DeLonge testified that King showed no outward signs of major back or muscular problems as claimed and that he was able to conclude she had no neurological deficit related to her back pain. Dr. DeLonge also testified that he was told Lily arrived without pulse and was not breathing and was never revived despite 40 minutes of effort. Dr. DeLonge testified that Lily had a closed head injury and visible injuries to her forehead and behind her left ear, and that medical personnel noticed tears to her vagina and anus and bleeding from her vagina in a second review. Dr. DeLonge testified he contacted authorities as required by law for suspected child abuse.

Dr. DeLonge testified King arrived via ambulance and told him she “slipped and fell and had complained about back pain and contusions,” and that she appeared “upset, frustrated.” Dr. DeLonge testified that after a couple of hours in the ER, she ripped out her feeding tube and tried to flee.

During the trial, a juror was told that the prosecution argued Lily died from three head traumas on Nov. 20, 2010. The prosecution also argued about prior abuse and planned to show photographs of Lily.

Arrest and pretrial matters

King was arraigned last week on charges relating to the Nov. 20 death of Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger and was held without bond in Macomb County Jail.

Six weeks before Renee Marie King was accused of sexually assaulting and killing her 2-year-old stepdaughter, she sought a personal protection order against her husband and the child’s father. King wrote in her petition: “I don’t ever want him to be around me so he can put his hands on me again,” in a request filed in Macomb County Circuit Court. King’s request for the PPO against her husband of two years, Jeff Wolfenbarger, was denied according to court records. The request was filed one day after Wolfenbarger filed for divorce from her, a move he later dropped.

Wolfenbarger denied ever hurting his wife and said he continued to stand by her. He said, “Divorce is an ugly thing no matter what the situation is,” and “I absolutely do not believe the charges against her. Knowing her and knowing our family, I wouldn’t even be able to explain what kind of person would do the things she is accused of doing.” He also said he had talked to her while she was in jail and was trying to keep their family strong: “I have talked to her and I’m trying to keep our family strong,” and “I’d like to help someone pay for their college education in memory of Lily.”

King filed for a PPO against her first husband, Joel Freytag, according to court records; the status of that request was not available.

Wolfenbarger owned a painting company and said he would like to start a scholarship fund in the future as a tribute to Lily.

Charges and trial

King faced felony murder, first-degree child abuse, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Coverage described felony murder as punishable by up to life in prison upon conviction, first-degree child abuse as a 15-year felony, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct penetration with injuries involving a child below the age of 13 as a life felony carrying a minimum of 25 years in prison.

At trial, prosecution sought conviction of felony murder, first-degree child abuse, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct, arguing the severity and number of injuries showed intent.

Assistant Prosecutor Therese Tobin made statements during the prosecution closing argument: “Two-year-olds aren’t easy,” Tobin said. “Two-year-olds have accidents. Two-year-olds have temper tantrums. Two-year-olds act up. The price that Lily paid that day -- she paid with her life. “Lily was having temper tantrums, and Lilly pooped in her pants. That’s what set off this time bomb off.”

Tobin argued about intent and accident: “This was no accident. There is no plausible way given these head injuries that this was an accident.”

Earlier, Tobin had said: “The price...Lily paid with her life was because she was acting like a two-year-old that day. 'This defendant wanted to hurt Lily. Lily was acting up, and this is how she chose to hurt her.'”

Defense attorney Jason Malkiewicz maintained King’s account and argued accidental injury: “It has been a nightmare for her,” Malkiewicz said.

Malkiewicz stated during closing that King’s accident theory did not support murder: “What happened that day was an accident. An accident is not murder".

During closing arguments, Malkiewicz also argued a lack of plausibility for the prosecution narrative: “They didn't even ask to see one single exhibit. Shocked is all I can say.”

Malkiewicz also made the following statement regarding consistency: “With all the major facts in this case, Renee King has been consistent,” Malkiewicz said.

He said: “Imagine how your thoughts may not be so clear in 30 seconds of time” during which the two falls occurred.

Malkiewicz attacked the investigation: “No one did anything to verify Renee King’s side of the story,” he said. “They thought they had their case after Day One.”

Malkiewicz characterized his client’s feelings for Lily: “Renee King wishes she could take back what happened, to this day. She wishes she wouldn’t have gone into that shower. An accident is not murder".

Malkiewicz also said: “Take a look at the statements and tell me she’s not someone who didn’t love Lily,” he said.

Malkiewicz said in connection with the defendant’s memory: “Renee King has been consistent,” and that her memory was “hazy” about the incident.

During trial, Jeffrey Wolfenbarger testified about communication on Nov. 20, 2010, and he described King in positive terms. He said: “She wanted what was best for Lily,” and “She spent more time with Lily when she was there due to their restricted time together.”

He also testified that King “did most of the disciplining, time-outs,” and that he spoke to King about noon Nov. 20.

Wolfenbarger made the following statement about custody litigation: “The s--- hit the fan,” when he sought custody.

Lauren Furneaux testified about bruises and injuries noticed when Lily was brought for parenting time on Nov. 18, two days before her death. She testified: “There were bruises on her back and a scrape on her head.”

Furneaux said she took photographs and texted Wolfenbarger: “I wanted to be able to ask them and not blame me,” Furneaux testified.

Furneaux testified about conflicts between her and King, including breastfeeding and constipation. She said: “Furnaceux said Lily cried whenever she learned she was leaving Furneaux to be with her father and King.”

In a recorded phone call, King apologized for a past mistake and said she wanted improved communication. King stated: “I love her so much, all I want is for us to communicate properly,” she says.

King also stated: “I think we all need to sit down and talk about what’s best for Lily."

King said in the talk: “It’s stressful on you, it’s stressful on us.”

The trial judge was Judge Diane Druzinski in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens. The sentencing also took place in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.

During the trial, King declined to comment at sentencing. Jason Malkiewicz represented her.

King claimed Lily’s injuries were accidental, including that she dropped Lily due to her bad back and that she fell in the bathroom.

A 12-person jury began deliberating after noon Monday (as described in one trial coverage), and it later found King guilty.

Sentencing

On April 9, 2012, King was sentenced in Macomb Circuit Court.

The sentence was life in prison without parole for the November 2010 death of 2-year-old Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger.

King received additional sentences for:

• first-degree criminal sexual conduct: up to 50 years,
• first-degree child abuse: up to 15 years.

One coverage also described King’s sentence as: King was sentenced to 30 to 50 years for the sexual assault and about seven years to 15 years for the child abuse.

King declined to speak before Judge Diane Druzinski, but her attorney, Jason Malkiewicz, spoke: “Miss King maintains her innocence,” said Jason Malkiewicz. “It’s been a nightmare for her.”

The parents of Lily read statements to the court before King was sentenced. Lauren Furneaux said: “My everything was taken from me,” Furneaux said. “I’ll never see Lily’s first day of school … her wedding day. But you won’t see those things with your children, either.”

Jeffrey Wolfenbarger said: “King’s act in taking his daughter's life was selfish, unthinkable and sick.” “You destroyed the lives of so many people,” he said. “You can ask God for forgiveness, but you won’t get it from me.”

During sentencing, Judge Diane Druzinski addressed letters she had received. She said: “I sincerely hope that all together each of you find the strength for each other to help with your healing and hope you find some level of peace to carry forward,” she said.

Jeffrey Wolfenbarger also made a statement to King at sentencing: “You have destroyed so many lives,” Wolfenbarger told his ex-wife. “Your selfish actions on Nov. 20, 2010, are unthinkable, disturbing, to say the least, sick. “You can ask God for forgiveness, but as Lily’s father, never.”

Lauren Furneaux read an additional statement to King in a restrained voice: “As I will never see Lily’s first day of school, first date, first prom, her graduate, her wedding, her children, neither will you,” Furneaux told King in a restrained voice, reading from sheet of paper. “I get to have more children someday. And I get to hide Easter eggs, I get to get my daughter married, dressed for her wedding, my son for his wedding. I get to do all those things and you don’t. “ You decided to take my world from me that day. So when you sit in front of a camera after Lily was killed asking if you could go to the funeral and crying because jail was too hard? Just wait, Renee, you have a whole lifetime of prison. Have fun. ... Life in prison is too easy for you. You took my daughter’s life and now the justice system gets to take yours.”

King was also ordered to pay about $1,200 in restitution for Lily’s headstone.

Timeline

• Nov. 12, 2010 — Emergency room Dr. Glenn DeLonge saw Renee King at then-Mount Clemens Regional Medical Center.
• Nov. 18, 2010 — Lauren Furneaux testified that Lily was brought to her for parenting time and she observed “bruises on her back and a scrape on her head.”
• Nov. 19, 2010 — King made a phone call to Lauren Furneaux recorded by Furneaux in which King apologized and discussed temper tantrums.
• Nov. 20, 2010 — Lily was under King’s care; King later called 911 claiming Lily was unresponsive after alleged falls in the shower/bathroom.
• Dec. 6 — A preliminary examination was to be held in 42nd District Court in New Baltimore (as described).
• Feb. 14 (trial began) — The trial began in front of Judge Diane Druzinski in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.
• Feb. 19 — Doctor Glenn DeLonge’s testimony about back claims was covered during the trial.
• Feb. 27 — An assistant prosecutor made closing-argument contentions about retaliation in front of the jury.
• Feb. 28 — A jury verdict of guilty was described.
• Apr. 9, 2012 — King was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus additional terms for criminal sexual conduct and child abuse.

People involved

• Renee King — defendant; stepmother of Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger.
• Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger (also referred to as Lily Wolfenbarger-Furneaux) — victim; 2-year-old child; daughter of Lauren Furneaux and Jeffrey Wolfenbarger.
• Lauren Furneaux — biological mother of Lily; read a statement at sentencing; described as 26 at the time of forming Justice for Lily.
• Jeffrey Wolfenbarger — biological father of Lily; King’s husband; later divorce proceedings; read statements at sentencing.
• Jason Malkiewicz — attorney for Renee King.
• Judge Diane Druzinski — presiding judge at trial and sentencing.
• Judge Mary Chrzanowski — OK’d the divorce in another courtroom about one hour before sentencing.
• Therese Tobin — assistant prosecutor / chief trial attorney in trial coverage.
• Dr. Daniel Spitz — medical examiner whose testimony was referenced regarding impact clusters to the head.
• Dr. Glenn DeLonge — emergency room doctor who examined Renee King on Nov. 12, 2010.
• Bader Cassin — defense expert witness cited regarding explanation of vaginal injury.
• Detective Sgt. Renee Yax — detective with whom King gave interviews (as referenced).
• Diane King — King’s mother (residence for two children).
• Lynette and Chico — Lauren Furneaux’s parents.
• Joel Freytag — King’s first husband, for whom she filed a PPO (status not available).

Outcome

A jury found Renee King guilty of killing 2-year-old Lily Furneaux-Wolfenbarger. The conviction included first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13, following a trial in February in front of Judge Diane Druzinski in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.

Aftermath

After sentencing, King was described as maintaining her innocence through her attorney. Supporters of Lily’s family remained active through the “Justice for Lily” organization, including fundraising for child advocacy groups.

The state sought to terminate Renee King’s parental rights in May, with implications for King’s other children.

Other details

During trial coverage, it was described that King claimed she dropped Lily in the bathroom after vomiting, that her right leg gave out, and that she fell while King was running to a telephone. Defense also stated she remembered “three distinct sounds of Lily hitting the walls and the side of the shower.”

King was described in one trial account as wearing a whitle (white) sweater over a blouse and slacks, with her hair pulled back and dabbing her eyes with apparent tears at one point during Malkiewicz’s statement.