Matthew Vandergriff
May 5, 2010 - June 16, 2010
Close your eyes and imagine the pain of having to fight for your life, suffering from bruises and sores all over your body, both of your eyes swollen shut, being malnourished, dehydrated, having been shaken until your brain swells and on top of that, being sexually abused. Now imagine that your parents are the monsters who did to you. Now imagine that you are only one month old. Is that something that is so horrible you can't even
begin to imagine it ever happened? Well, it did!

Police were called to go to the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center Emergency Room because a one
month old baby was brought in and was fighting to stay alive. Staci Lynn Barbosa, who was 19 years old at
that time, took her one month old son to the hospital and was taken into police custody shortly after that.
Jonathan Edward Vandergriff, who was 23 years old at the time and the father of this precious baby boy,
turned himself into the police. A warrant was given to search their home and Police found Marijuana as well
as other items were found and would be used as evidence against the couple

Staci and Jonathan were facing charges of molestation of a child, child abuse, aggravated assault and
sexual conduct with a minor. Emily Montague, Bullhead City Police Spokesperson said that homicide
charges were pending since Matthew Vandergriff died from the brutal attack. Staci and Jonathan were being
held in the Mohave County Jail. Staci's bond was $250,000. and Jonathan's bond was set at $500,000.

Matthew died at sunrise. Family and friends were trying to understand what happen and how. Zachary Piper
was the one who found Matthew after Mac Barbosa, Matthew's Uncle, call him for help:
"He was trying to cry. He couldn't really cry. He had bruising rings around his eyes and his
eyes were almost swollen completely shut. He was trying to get his breath, but he had real
short sporadic breaths"
Mad told his sister that she needed to take Matthew to the hospital. Matthew's parents did not want to take him since they knew he had been sexually assaulted:
"Right then and there I picked up his car seat and went out to my car, buckled him in"
Doctors at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center saw how severe the injuries were on this little Angel
and he was airlifted to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. Within 24 hours, he died. The family of this baby boy
are upset saying they don't know how it happened, they just want justice:
"I'm happy they're in jail"
Mac Barbosa

"Staci Barbos and Jonathan Vandergriff are nothing to us now. I hope they stay in jail. I
hope they rot"
Krystal Peck
A two year old little girl, the sister of Matthew, was taken from the home and is in the custody of her Grand-
mother. Matthew's sister was said to be in good health and showed no signs of having been abused either
physically or sexually.

In a Bullhead City Justice Court room, Jonathan and Staci were both charged with felony counts which had
been filed by the Mohave County Attorney's Office:
"I did file a complaint. I did add charges, probably most significantly a charge of first-degree
murder.
Greg Phillips
Each of these monsters were charged with four felony counts, first degree murder, child abuse by domestic
violence, sexual assault and sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 15 years old. Jonathan had been
accused of child abuse in the past and he had served time in jail for that charge. After his release, he had
been placed on probation and in July of 2007, was arrested for violating that probation.

After a Grand Jury indictment, Greg Phillips was undecided as for if he was going to seek the death penalty
against Jonathan and Staci. If they are convicted of the murder charge, the penalty could be as little as life
in prison with a chance of parole after 25 years and as severe as the death penalty. Being against the death
penalty, I would hope they get life in prison without the possibility of parole.

As things proceed, I am reading that Jonathan and Staci would NOT face the death penalty because Greg
Phillips thought it would be a financial burden on the county and the stated, saying that a death penalty case
could cost $250,000. or more depending on how long the case lasts.

On October 5, 2011, Staci plead guilty to second-degree murder with all other charges being dropped. With
the plea deal, staci would get 13 to 20 years with Judge Steven Conn presiding. Staci is due to be sentenced January 6, 2012. Today is January 4, 2012. I think a light sentence such as this should be followed by a hysterectomy for Staci.

I am not sure what is going on with Jonathan's case other than he won't be given the death penalty. It seems
there have been several lawyer changes as well as problems with court dates. I'll try to keep this page
updated as information becomes available.

Looking at the mug shots of these two monsters, their smug looks, their "I don't care" glares, it seems so sad
to me that another child has come into this world and gone out, without any pictures being taken of them.

Here are some other points about this case that I found on a blog:

*Jonathan has a prior record of child abuse and served six months and was also invovled in the drowning of
another child as well as being accused of molesting another minor child.
*The couple has another daughter together who Jonathan is said to have bragged about molesting.
*The couple had a stillborn baby before Matthew was born.
*The couple are known Meth users and Matthew was born addicted to Meth.
*There are NO pictures of Matthew.

 I found this comment on another blog and am printing it just as I found it:

I AM THE GRANDMOTHER TO THE CHILD THAT DID SURPRISIGINGLY AND AMAZINGLY SURVIVED
THIS WHOLE ORDEAL. I AM VERY,VERY,VERY, HAPPY TO TELL ALL THAT GRANDAUGHTER WAS
UNTOUCHED, UNAHRMED. I AM INTOUCH WITH A WOMAN FROM CPS STEADLY DESPERATLY TO
TAKE CUSTODY OF HER, AND BRING HER HOME TO HER LOVING FAMLY THAT MISSES HER VERY
MUCH.I WILL BRING MATTHEW HOME ALSO FOR THE OTHER GRANDPARENTS DO NOT HAVE THE
RESOURSES NOR FUNDS TO BURY HIM PROPERLY.IAM AT A STANDSTILL WITH BRINGING
MATTHEW HOME FRO THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY HAS PUT A HOLD ON HIS BODY WHICH STILL
REMAINS AT THE FUNERAL HOME UP IN LAS VEGAS.PLAESE BULLHEAD CITY POLICE, THERE IS
NO DEFENSE IN THIS CASE AGAINST MY SON AND STACI BARBOSA. TO OPEN UP MY GRANDSON
AGAIN FOR ANOTHER AUTOPSY FOR A DEFENSE FOR THEM IS JUST A CUEL AND INHUMANE AS
WHAT JON AND STACI DID.PLEASE DON'T DO THIS.LET ME FLY HIM HOME ON THE PLANE WITH
THE ANGELS GUARDINGHIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY SO HEA CAN BE AT PEACE.I WISH MY
NEWS STATIONS WHOULD HEAR ME UP HERE IN OHIO.I OM GETTING IMPATIENT OVER THIS.CAN
ANYONE HELP ME?

For information about preventing child abuse in the state of Arizona, click the links below. If they can't help you, ask for someone who can. NEVER give up looking for help for an abused child!


 




Call this number to report child abuse ANY WHERE in the United States!
1-800-4-A-Child 1-800-422-4453