GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – A father and son accused of being connected to the death of a 2-year-old boy appeared in court Monday for a probable cause and bond hearing.
“I really am stressing and hoping that this monster can stay behind bars,” a member of the victim’s family said during the hearing.
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James and David Vanderleest were arrested in connection with the child’s death and appeared in court for the first time Monday. The court sealed the probable cause statements in the case, a move David Vanderleest opposed, saying he wanted the records to be open to the public.
“Why are we allowing prosecutors just to lie against the Vanderleest family?” David said in court. “That’s normally what happens in this town. You’re gonna do what you wanna do.”
David Vanderleest, who previously ran unsuccessfully for the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly, is being held on a $100,000 cash bond. He is prohibited from having contact with his son or the victim’s family.
James Vanderleest’s bond was set at $2 million. He is also barred from contacting anyone involved in the case.
“Two million dollars — my family doesn’t even have a million dollars,” James said in court. “I’ve went completely bankrupt. You guys can order whatever you want, but I don’t think two million or $100,000 for my dad’s bond is acceptable.”
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Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil told the court that James instructed the child’s mother and his father to lie to police and said he had already tried contacting the victim’s family while in jail.
Both men are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing in July.
