Foster Mom, Grandfather Were Killed Before 2 Children Were Kidnapped on New Year's Day

Mar. 15, 2025

Jennifer Lyn Bernhard, Stevie Ray Smith.Photo:GofundMe; Jenny Bernhard/Facebook

GofundMe; Jenny Bernhard/Facebook

Jennifer Lyn Bernhard, 48, and her father Stevie Ray Smith, 74, were found dead in a Northfield Township, Mich., home on Jan. 1, the Washtenaw Prosecutor’s Office said in a press statement.

Responding officers found Bernhard’s husband Jeffrey Alan Bernhard injured in the the shooting; he was hospitalized in stable condition.

Two children, ages 9 and 4, were allegedly abducted after the shooting, but were found safe the next day, following a joint operation between the prosecutor’s office, Ann Arbor police, Michigan State police and Northfield Township police.

AGoFundMeset up for the family claimed one of the two children who were kidnapped was a foster child. The pastor of the family’s church further confirmed that one of the two children was a foster child and the other one was the couple’s biological child,The Detroit Newsreported.

Washtenaw Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment on who the children were, citing “ethical duties regarding pretrial publicity.”

Shuvonne Vinson (left); Gregory Callhan; and Keith Finley.Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office

Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office

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All three suspects have been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to murder and a slew of other charges, many of them firearms-related.

During a court appearance on Friday, Jan. 3, Vinson referred to one of the allegedly abducted children as her child, and appeared to have an outburst in front of the judge.

Click on Detroit, which shared a clip of the appearance, reports Vinson is the biological mother of the foster child in the family.

Finlay, who “refused to be arraigned,” was later arraigned on Saturday, Jan. 4, the prosecutor’s office confirms to PEOPLE.

All three are being held without bond. It wasn’t immediately clear if they have retained attorneys or entered pleas.

source: people.com