Child killer's parole denied

SANDUSKY — A convicted child killer was denied parole yet again. Craig Popke, 60, who's incarcerated at the Richland Correctional Institution, was convicted in 1990 of the murder of 3-year-old Michael Wasserman in Sandusky. Popke was dating Wasserman's mother at the time. He has served nearly 36 years of a 15-to-life sentence handed down by Judge James McMonagle. A parole board preliminary result determined that Popke would continue to serve his life sentence until his next hearing in February 2030. He was last denied parole in 2022. Before that, he was denied in 2018. Wasserman's mother, Peggy Wasserman, received a 14-to-40-year sentence for an involuntary manslaughter conviction, according to the Block Parole website. She was released in 2005 after serving 15 years. Officials say no parole Erie County prosecutor Kevin Baxter adamantly opposed Popke's parole. "Craig Popke was convicted of the brutal and heinous murder of Michael Wasserman, a 3-year-old boy who was the most innocent of victims," Baxter wrote in a letter to the Ohio Parole Board. Popke's conviction predated Ohio's statute for aggravated murder of a child younger than 13. If he were convicted today, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. "Craig Popke's efforts to be released from prison should be denied as a crime of this magnitude requires a lifetime in prison," Baxter said. Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said he remembered the case. "I was a very young detective then," he said. The case was investigated by Sandusky police. "I remember veteran investigators with Sandusky police that were shocked and horrified by this crime," Sigsworth said. "One detective, in particular, I remember was sitting at his desk reviewing photos of Michael's body, and the detective was weeping," Sigsworth said. "I cannot even imagine the pain and suffering that poor little boy went through. I don't believe Popke should ever be paroled, based on the pain and suffering inflicted on that child victim." Sigsworth referred to Popke's crime as "absolutely depraved." "I would hope the parole board always takes into account the suffering of this poor boy when considering Popke for parole," he said. Curt Muehling served as the head of Sandusky's detective bureau at the time of the murder. "He should never get out of jail," Muehling said. "That was a terrible, awful crime. My detective who investigated (the killing) — who was a hardened guy — was shaken by that. (Popke) should never be around kids if he ever does get out." Abuse most foul Due to ongoing abuse, Michael Wasserman was removed from his mother's home in Aug. 1989. Peggy Wasserman and Popke were both ordered to undergo parenting classes. Peggy Wasserman took seven of the eight classes. Popke reportedly only attended two. Despite not completing the ordered classes, Peggy Wasserman regained custody of Michael Wasserman in December 1989. One month later, Michael was found dead in his bedroom. He was found with severe burns to his lower body. An autopsy also revealed bruising all over Michael's body. His cause of death was attributed to sepsis due to untreated burns. Authorities were able to determine that Popke held Michael under scalding bath water for an extended period of time. After removing him from the bathtub, Popke reportedly placed Michael in his bedroom, where the child suffered for three to five days before dying. "Michael spent several days suffering and crying for help, and Popke did absolutely nothing," said Bret Vinocur, president of the organization Block Parole. Vinocur also believes Popke should never be released. "Craig Popke is a cold-blooded child killer who is fortunate that he was not sentenced to death," Vinocur said. "To further the interests of justice, he should be required to serve every day of his life sentence." Michael's House In 2005, Michael's House was established in Michael Wasserman's memory. The Sandusky-based house is a safe space for children to recount their stories of abuse to investigators. The house, which looks like any other home, is filled with toys, coloring books and child-centered activities. The idea is that children who have suffered abuse can go to the home and become comfortable so they can tell their stories without feeling threatened. "We used to do interviews at places that weren't kid-friendly," said A.J. Lill, executive director of Erie County Job and Family Services. "We were taking them to the same places bank robbers and murderers went, and that's not the best place to talk to a child. But Michael's House offers that safe, neutral place for an interview." After children become attuned to the environment, they are led to a room with a social worker and possibly another adult, such as a prosecutor or detective. Sometimes the social worker will grab a toy and play with the child in an attempt to build rapport. It is important to build this connection so that abused children feel free to speak about how they were victimized. Small, hidden cameras in the room allow people in a nearby room to watch the interviews. This is helpful so that the children do not feel crowded in a sea of adults. Lill referred to Michael's House as a "huge asset to the community." People who suspect child abuse in Erie County can call a hotline at 419-626-5437, or the state hotline, 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453).