Calista Springer: The True Story of a Child Failed by the System

Calista Springer: The True Story of a Child Failed by the System

From Weird True Crime by Gina Nichols and Amber Paul

May 6, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the tragic case of Calista Springer, a victim of severe child abuse and systemic failure by Child Protective Services.

Calista Springer was a 16-year-old girl from Centreville, Michigan, who loved to draw, paint, and color — and who spent most of her short life being abused, starved, and chained to a bed by the people who were supposed to protect her. For over a decade, teachers, neighbors, and social workers filed at least 15 reports with Child Protective Services. Nothing was done. On February 27, 2008, a fire broke out in the Springer home. Calista could not escape. She was chained to her bunk bed by a dog choke chain. She died of carbon monoxide poisoning. She was 91 pounds. The Calista Springer case is one of the most heartbreaking examples of child abuse and CPS failure in Michigan history. Calista's stepmother, Marsha and father, Anthony Springer, were ultimately convicted of torture and first-degree child abuse — but only after years of documented abuse that investigators, caseworkers, and school officials failed to stop. The Springers had even pulled Calista out of public school under Michigan's permissive homeschool laws, removing her from the last adults who could have intervened. In 2010, both Marsha and Anthony were sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for torture. In this episode…

People in this episode

Hosts: Gina Nichols, Amber Paul

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Child Protective Services

Books & works: Weird True Crime

Places: Centreville, Michigan

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