His killer, Craig Popke, is up for parole next month.
With no family members left to speak for Michael, it will be up to local agencies and a Columbus-based advocate to keep Popke from being released from serving his life sentence.
Erie County prosecutor Kevin Baxter describes Michael's death as brutal and heinous, and the child as the most innocent of victims in a letter he sent to the parole board earlier this month, opposing Popke's release.
For more on the murder and who's helping to block Popke's parole, pick up a copy of Monday's Register.
Want to help?
Craig Popke, 47, is up for parole at Richland Correctional Institution on Dec. 27.
Popke was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for the 1990 death of his girlfriend's 3-year-old boy, Michael Wasserman.
Michael suffered third-degree burns that eventually lead to his death after an excruciating three days.
To sign a petition to oppose Popke's release, visit blockparole.com.
Comments
I do not understand? Mikey has no family member's left to speak up for him ? Was anyone contacted ? on his mother's side he has at least 40 plus member's who only found out today thru this story !!!, Mikey comes from large family on both sides!Maybe the Register should print some of the photo's of him after he died, If thier are no family member's then no one would object, and we can keep this monster behind bars, Sounds like this is being handled as the complaints of abuse toward Mikey was, No one knows nothing and no one checks anything out. I will tell you what will happen, the killer will get out, Then everyone will point finger's, and assign blame to the other person,Register I dare you to print the photo's they are graphic but then so was the murder.Craig needs to be locked up for life and without the shocking truth he may be freed, Mikey is resting out at Restlawn let him rest. May GOD BLESS all Children and may us adults protect them here on earth !
This is a PS for my earlier post, MIKEY SUFFERED FOR DAYS with third degree scalding burns from being set in scalding water he died after suffering with burns and infection, It was not a clean kill if you want to state it as that, cruel but true !Sign to block the murder from getting out PLEASE
Signed and shared on FB. Let him rot in his cell.
I signed!
This guy is a scumbag
Why are they saying there are no family members left? It's not like this happened fifty years ago. There must be SOMEBODY in the family that should be able to speak up.
Mikey does have family left! I am one of them and yes we are fighting!!!!!!!!! He was an innocent little 3 year old boy!! Craig is a poor excuse for a man that is going to rot in hell!! God will judge him and he will spend eternity in pain and misery!!!!
I signed and hope that it does some good...im so sorry for your loss and how bad it hurts for it to be brought back in the media...heartbreaking and that manshould NEVER see the light of day again...bless you
Signed, I know the child's grandparents are still in town. Im sure they would like to say something about this
"Authorities determined that Michael's burns resulted from Popke holding him under scalding hot bath water for an extended period of time. After removing Michael from the bathtub Popke put Michael into his bedroom where he suffered from three to five days before he died. Craig Popke and Peggy Wasserman did absolutely nothing to help Michael. Michael, likely screaming in pain for three to five days, died alone in his bedroom."
This excuse for a human being should never, ever be released. Why he did not get the death penalty is beyond my comprehension. There's a special place in hell for anyone that would murder such an innocent one as this child. Any parole board that would be so inclined to release him should follow him there.
I signed
I will sign.This animal should never be let out of jail!!!!
Isn't the mother out of prison? If so, WHY? She's a monster too!
Agreed.As should the people that KNEW the baby was beaten over in Norwalk. NO EXCUSES, NONE!
To answer some questions, I've been contacted by some family members of Michael's today. There will be a follow up story in the Register.
I signed....and so should you!!
signed
I don't question the parole hearing. Given the sentence, he's served enough time to be considered. No, what I want to know is how a crime of this magnitude — the cruelty, the age and helplessness of the victim — could warrant an ANY-number-of-years to life sentence! This is a clearcut case of a crime warranting a "life without parole" sentence at a MINIMUM!
Oh, and for the record: While I can't argue the timing for consideration, I can and will argue that this is one man who should never, ever, EVER be free again.
signed
signed
The mother should still be in jail. She allowed this to happen adn did not report or help this child. She is no better than him. Children Services also fell down on the job again. They took him from his mother and boyfriend and then turned around and gave him right back. Keeping a child with a parent is not always the right thing to do and especially not in this case. They had no business putting him back into that home. This continues to happen and no one is accountable. Aren't they suppose to be the advocate for the child? This happened with the Baby Owen case, the case in Vermillion, etc. Why don't they have to answer for their actions? Just because someone is able to have a child doesn't make them a parent.
@ kris63063, the mother did serve time. She did not murder her child. She neglected her child..
If she let him lie there covered in burns, suffering for days, then yes she murdered him.
I could be mistaken, but didn't the poor boy have cigarette burns on his body also? It seems I remember this detail too.
click on link . http://blockparole.com/ ,then his picture on right (name) the story is under that.
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Profane, obscene, sexual or derogatory language.
Yes, he also had burns
kris, the law requires that children be returned home within a certain period of time, unless that state is going to pursue termination of parental rights, which is extremely difficult and uncommon. Don't blame children's services, blame the laws and the judges.
Yes, Michael does have family members and the persons have been contacted to let them know that we are here. Signed Michaels Aunt
Good for you Tammy! I wondered why it said no other family members. Just got finished signing petition. This horrible day is still fresh in my mind after all these years. I hope they don't let him out. Poor little baby :' (
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