PAGE 2 - August 10, 2011
The Newscaster - Nature Coast News
Murder Charge - Continued from page 1
Pet Patrol
their son back to Pennsylvania without her, Emily went to police in PA, and confessed her
role in Carol’s death. Berry said the case may have gone unsolved, if not for Emily’s confes-
sion, wanting to see her son.
According to extensive coverage by various Pennsylvania media sources, Emily
Ruth Bellows-Shaffer, 54, allegedly confessed to Pennsylvania State Troopers on July 19,
that she had a role, which she attempted to cover up, in the Sept. 15, 2010 death of Carol
Hickok, 65, at the Hickok’s Pensylvania home located at 197 Mountain View Rd. in Canton
Township. Law enforcement met with Bradford County Coroner Thomas Carman the fol-
lowing day, and he changed the manner of death to criminal homicide. He had originally
ruled the cause of death as blood loss due to blunt force trauma and the manner of death as
undetermined. The autopsy described blunt force trauma to Hickok’s head, neck, and torso,
and contusions to her body limbs. In addition to the criminal homicide charge, Shaffer was
also charged with criminal trespass, aggravated assault and burglary.
Shaffer, who listed her address as Crystal River, was arraigned before Magisterial
District Judge Jonathan Wilcox in Troy, PA on July 28; her preliminary hearing was held on
My name is Cassie. I am a really pretty
July 29. She is being held without bail at the Bradford County PA Correctional Facility, as
mixed breed dog who has been told I look
criminal homicide is a non-bailable offense, and Judge Wilcox turned down a bail request
like everything from cattledog, bordercol-
by Shaffer’s attorney, Bradford County Public Defender Helen Stolinas. According to The
lie or terrier mix. I am white with darker
Daily Review (Towanda, Sayre & York, PA), Wilcox denied Shaffer’s request for bail based
Meet Harley!! He is a 1 year old small 13”
markings and have cute brown spots even
on the facts and evidence in the Hickok homicide case, along with his court’s history with
Beagle that wants to be everyone’s friend.
in my ears. I am a little larger than some of
Shaffer, which includes cruelty to animals charges. The newspaper claims to have reviewed
More information to come. Adopt A Res-
the dogs who have found homes but not that
guilty dispositions provided by Judge Wilcox’s office staff for cruelty to animals by abuse
cued Pet, Inc. does home visits prior to
big. I do need a fenced yard so maybe that
charges on May 24 and June 22, 2005, but stated they had no information as to the circum-
adoptions, therefore, we can only adopt to
is the problem. When I go to the adoptions,
stances of the charges.
the Citrus County and adjoining county ar-
everyone LOVES me. I roll over and give
Details of Shaffer’s court affadavit came from The Daily Review, The Morning
eas. If you are within these areas, please,
my tummy to anyone who will pet me. I am
Times (Sayre, PA) and area TV station WNEP Channel 16: Shaffer had been involved in
phone Adopt A Rescued Pet, leave your
becoming somewhat of a mascot. I am crate
an extra-marital affair with Hickok's husband, eleven years previously, and had mothered
name, number, and pet’s name, for a return
trained and go easily in my crate when you
his child. The child had lived with Bellows-Shaffer until the age of five, when a court had
call from the foster mom, later, at 795.9550.
have to go out. I am about 1 to 2 years old
awarded custody of their son to Carol Hickok’s husband, Roger. The now 11 year-old child
All of our dogs have been sterilized, tested
and I weigh about 25 lbs. If you think you
had lived with Roger and Carol Hickok since the age of five. After Carol Hickok’s death,
negative for heart worm, on heart worm
would like to adopt me please call 352-795-
Shaffer had lived with Roger Hickok and her son in Crystal River. When Roger Hickok
prevention, on flea prevention, up to date
9550 or come see me at the Inverness Pet-
moved back to Pennsylvania - with their son, but without Shaffer - prosecutors say she went
on vaccines, wormed, ID chipped and vet
supermarket on Saturdays from 11AM TO
to the Pennsylvania State Troopers to make trouble for Roger Hickok and to gain custody of
checked.
Checkwww.adoptarescuedpet.
1PM. I am current on my shots, heartworm
their son. In what prosecutors felt was an unusual turn of events, Shaffer eventually made
com for our other pets and the ADOPTION
negative, spayed and microchipped.
the alleged confession which led to her arrest on the criminal homicide and related charges.
CALENDAR.
The reports of the affadavit also describe Emily Shaffer’s actions on the day of
Pet Loss, Saying Good Bye
Carol Hickok’s death: Shaffer drove to Hickok’s home, just before daybreak, around 6:00
BEVERLY HILLS—Hospice of Citrus County Wings Community Education will present
a.m., hoping to see her son. She parked her car about 100 yards away from the home and
“Pet Loss…Saying Goodbye” to be presented on Tuesday, August 23 from 2:00 pm – 3:30
walked there. Because of a text message she’d received from Roger Hickok, she knew he
pm at the Hospice of Citrus County Wings Education Center located at 8471 W. Periwinkle
was not home, and she believed that Carol Hickok was asleep. Shaffer entered the house
Lane, Homosassa.
through an open overhead door to the attached garage. She was confronted in the hallway
“Pet Loss… Saying Goodbye” is an educational workshop which will help par-
by Carol Hickok, who told her she had no right to be there. The women began to struggle in
ticipants work through grief and better understand the grief of others. Grief is probably
the hallway, and the struggle continued into the master bedroom. During the struggle, Shaf-
the most confusing, frustrating and emotional thing that a person can experience. It is even
fer pushed Hickok, and she fell, headfirst, into the dresser, striking the top of her head. The
more so for pet owners. Society in general does not give bereaved pet owners “permission”
struggle continued onto the bed, and they rolled onto the floor. During the struggle, Hickok’s
to grieve openly. Consequently, pet owners often feel isolated and alone.
bleeding head wound stained the bed’s comforter. When the struggle ended, Emily Shaffer
“Pet Loss…Saying Goodbye” is free, open to the public and reservations are sug-
felt quite certain that Carol Hickok was dead, so she drug her body outside, through a door
gested. For additional information, contact Lynn Miller at 352.527.2348, Ext. 1507.
that leads from the bedroom to a large deck, and partially down the stairs, in an attempt to
R&M
make the death appear accidental. Carol Hickok’s body tumbled down the last few steps,
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
onto the ground, where her body was later discovered, face down, by her husband and step
son. After she moved the body outside, Shaffer went back inside the Hickok’s home and
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
washed the blood from her hands in a master bedroom sink. She stripped all the bedding
Complete Auto Repairs
from the bed and placed the blood-stained comforter into the washing machine. She left
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
Continued on page 4 - Murder Charge
Computer Diagnostics
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