Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
VIEW the Charging Documents (PDF File)Sandra Yi Reporting
Kimberly Hale: "She's in a better place and she can never be hurt again. She knows that Mommy loves her."
Prosecutors today charged Ryan and Angela Andrews with murder and aggravated sexual assault, both first degree felonies. The sex charge stems from their beating the girl in her genital area. The victim's mother is speaking out for the first time since her daughter's death.
Kimberly Hale was married to her ex-husband for 10 years. She says he was a decent dad, never violent. She says, had she known the abuse was going on, she would have done anything to stop it.
Kimberly Hale, Shelby's Mother: "Her and my husband, Guy, would dance in the kitchen on Sunday mornings after breakfast. We would turn music on and they would dance in the kitchen."
That's one of Kimberly Hale's last memories of her daughter Shelby; that was more than a year ago. Her ex-husband, Ryan Andrews, had temporary custody of their three children. Hale says it was a mutual agreement because Andrews was in a better financial situation.
Kimberly Hale: "It's not that I didn't love my kids. It's not that I didn't want them, because I did what I felt was the best thing for my kids."
Hale had visitation, but says Andrews and his wife Angela slowly cut her off. She says they accused her of abuse, even filed a protective order, to keep her away from the kids. The state investigated and none of the allegations were found to be true.
Kimberly Hale: "People have said they knew something was going on, but never in a million years would I expect something like this, ever."
The Andrews told police Shelby was difficult to control. There were reports that Shelby had bipolar disorder, but Hale says she was never diagnosed. Hale believes it was just an excuse.
Kimberly Hale: "If she was that difficult, why didn't they give her to me? I would have taken her."
If convicted, Hale hopes Ryan and Angela Andrews spend their lives in prison and think about the young girl who didn't deserve to die.
Kimberly Hale: "Every mother's dream is to be able to help their daughter pick out their wedding dress and to be there at the birth of their first child. And I'm never going to get that with Shelby because they took her away from me. I'm never going to have that relationship with her again."
Hale is now trying to get custody of her two other children, who are staying with their stepmother's family. Angela and Ryan Andrews will make their first court appearance on Monday.
If you would like to help with Shelby Andrews' burial costs, there are three funds set up:
- Mountain America Credit Union
- Washington Mutual (in the name of Tricia Pace a co-worker of Shelby's biological mother.)
