Murder of Dennis Jurgens

Dennis Jurgens
Born
Dennis Craig Puckett

(1961-12-06)December 6, 1961
Sauk Centre, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedApril 11, 1965 (1965-04-12) (aged 3)
White Bear Lake, Minnesota, U.S.
Cause of deathHomicide by blunt force trauma
Known forMurder victim

Dennis Craig Jurgens (December 6, 1961 – April 11, 1965) was an American 3-year-old boy who was murdered in White Bear Lake, Minnesota in April 1965. Jurgens was the only fatal victim of Lois Jurgens, his adoptive mother and a prolific child abuser, who abused a total of six adopted children from 1960 to 1975. The trial of Lois Jurgens for the murder of 3-year-old Dennis made national headlines and was the top news story of the state of Minnesota in 1987.

Early history

Dennis Jurgens was born Dennis Craig Puckett in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. He was the son of teenage Jerry Sherwood (who was herself a ward of the state) and her teenage boyfriend. At the urging of authorities, Jerry placed Dennis for adoption after being told that he would receive good care.[citation needed]

Murder conviction and sentence

The St. Paul Pioneer Press ran a cover story about the investigation on Sunday, October 12, 1986. Though the name of the adoptive family was not given, many suspected that the story was about Lois Jurgens. Sherwood's tenacity, along with the tragedy of her personal loss, kept the story in the public eye. Eventually Lois Jurgens was arraigned, and her identity released by the media.

Jurgens' other adopted son, Robert, testified at the trial, at which Lois Jurgens (then in her 60s) was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to prison.[1]

The investigation, trial, and conviction are considered landmarks in the history of child abuse law.

Aftermath

A Death in White Bear Lake is a true crime book by journalist Barry Siegel, published in 1990, which recounts the murder of Dennis Jurgens.

See also

References

  1. ^ "A woman was convicted Friday of third-degree murder in..." UPI. Retrieved 2019-04-23.

Bibliography

  • A Death in White Bear Lake by Barry Siegel. Published by Bantam Books, 1990.
  • Star Tribune article "Jurgens Seeks Seclusion After Release From Prison," published June 7, 1995, Metro Section Page 1B.
  • Various other articles from the Star Tribune running between May and June 1987, including "Jurgens Found Sane, Sent to Prison," "Brother Tells of Dennis Jurgens' Beatings," "Jurgens Trial Inspires Birth Mother's Mission" and "Jurgens Relatives Testify She Abused Adopted Son"
  • Twin Cities Magazine article "A Mother's Love, Jerry Sherwood in Her Own Words" February 1988 edition.
  • Los Angeles Times article "Child Murder: A Town Confronts Its Past," part of a series entitled "Death of a Child, Justice Delayed" by Barry Siegel.
  • 60 Minutes piece "No One Saved Dennis" reported by Diane Sawyer, 1988.