WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – Since the alleged deadly attacks and kidnappings unfolded inside the home of a foster family on Nollar Bend Road in Northfield Township on Jan. 1, 2025, many questions remain, like “What is the standard process when it comes to anonymity with foster parents and children?”
On Jan. 1, 2025, police say two people were killed, Jennifer Bernhard, 42, and Stevie Smith, 74, and one was seriously injured, Jeffrey Bernhard, 52.
Police say two children also witnessed the attack: the Bernhards' 9-year-old biological daughter; and their 4-year-old foster child — who were both in the residence at the time.
The case began when a neighbor discovered Jeffrey had been shot in the face.
Officers were then directed to his address, where the additional victims were found.
Det. Sgt. Jason Roberts testified last week that Shuvonne Vinson, 42, is the biological mother of the Bernhards' 4-year-old foster child. At around 8:30 p.m. on New Year’s Day, Vinson showed up at their home with two accomplices, all armed with guns, to get her child back.
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Police said after forcing Jeffrey and Jennifer to transfer money from their accounts, the situation turned violent. Jeffrey was pistol-whipped, shot in the chest, and then in the head, followed by his wife being shot in the head.
After the alleged murders, Vinson and her accomplices then abducted the foster child, the victims’ 9-year-old, and their family dog, according to police. Police said Vinson later said she took the children to protect them.
Their 9-year-old daughter recounted witnessing the shootings of her parents and seeing her grandfather lying on the floor.
Local 4’s Erika Erickson has been asking critical questions regarding this case and spoke with Elizabeth Hertel, the Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
When discussing the anonymity of foster parents and children, Hertel said that all of the children’s services cases are protected by state and federal privacy laws.
So, how does information get shared?
Hertel said that if and how information gets shared can be decided by foster families, judges and sometimes case workers.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services works with agencies, workers, foster families, and the courts to make sure they see any warning signs of danger and make sure safety plans are in place.
“We want to make sure that our foster families know that their safety is, and the children who are in their care, is our priority,” said Hertel.
Foster families are encouraged to use their agency’s chain of command to address it, and if that doesn’t alleviate their concerns, they can file a complaint to MDHHS by sending an email about their situation to MDHHS-ChildrensServices@michigan.gov.
If foster families feel like they are in immediate danger, they should call 911.
“In the position that I’m in, and the staff that work with me and the department of health and human services, and in children’s services, the thing that we find most heartbreaking in the work that we are doing is if something happens to a child or the family of a child...It’s tragic, it’s heartbreaking and it’s something we never ever want to see,” said Hertel. “Our hearts go out to the families in this case, both the children, and the foster parents and the biological parents. This is heartbreaking.”
Hertel also said they rely on the love and support from foster families across the state.
“There are times when people can make decisions that we would hope that they wouldn’t make,” said Hertel. “But that doesn’t mean that we think being a foster parent is dangerous. For the most part and in most situations we know that children are going to be reunified with their parents and we encourage foster families to work with biological parents.”
There are almost 4,000 foster families in Michigan, with more than 9,000 children who are in foster care.
“There are situations or occurrences that are going to happen that we’re going to learn from and we’re going to improve,” said Hertel. “But, we rely so much on the love and support of all of those foster families. We could not do this work without them. We are here for them. And we are here to make sure that we can do everything we can to make sure that we are keeping them safe, and keeping their kids safe.”
Northfield Twp police say CPS and MDHHS are heavily involved as they continue to investigate.
“We are still working on filling in the gaps and putting a thorough timeline together,” Lieutenant David Powell said Wednesday.
If foster families have concerns, they are encouraged to use their agency’s chain of command to address them, and if that doesn’t alleviate their concerns, they can file a complaint to MDHHS by sending an email of their situation to MDHHS-ChildrensServices@michigan.gov.
Three people have been charged in this case: Shuvonne Vinson, Keith Finley, 60, and Gregory Callhan, 37.
They are accused of conspiring and being involved in the murders and kidnappings.
There is a preliminary exam conference scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at 9 a.m. for Vinson, Finley and Callhan in Ann Arbor.
