Missing girl’s grandfather, father quarrel

Fight breaks out after court hearing for toddler’s mother

6/20/2013
BY TAYLOR DUNGJEN
BLADE STAFF WRITER
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    Richard Schiewe, front center, who is a grandfather of the missing Elaina Steinfurth, is held back by a neighbor who did not want to be identified. Mr. Schiewe was arguing with Terry Steinfurth, Jr., father of the missing 18-month-old girl, who is at right with his girlfriend, Becky Navaugh, outside Toledo Municipal Court.

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    Richard Schiewe, front center, who is a grandfather of the missing Elaina Steinfurth, is held back by a neighbor who did not want to be identified. Mr. Schiewe was arguing with Terry Steinfurth, Jr., father of the missing 18-month-old girl, who is at right with his girlfriend, Becky Navaugh, outside Toledo Municipal Court.
    Richard Schiewe, front center, who is a grandfather of the missing Elaina Steinfurth, is held back by a neighbor who did not want to be identified. Mr. Schiewe was arguing with Terry Steinfurth, Jr., father of the missing 18-month-old girl, who is at right with his girlfriend, Becky Navaugh, outside Toledo Municipal Court.

     Almost three weeks after Elaina Steinfurth was reportedly last seen, tension in the family apparently reached its boiling point.

    Richard Schiewe, grandfather of missing 18-month-old Toledo girl Elaina Steinfurth, left, engages in an argument with Terry Steinfurth, Jr., father of missing toddler Elaina Steinfurth, not pictured, in front of Toledo Municipal Court on June 20, 2013.
    Richard Schiewe, grandfather of missing 18-month-old Toledo girl Elaina Steinfurth, left, engages in an argument with Terry Steinfurth, Jr., father of missing toddler Elaina Steinfurth, not pictured, in front of Toledo Municipal Court on June 20, 2013.

     The maternal grandfather and the father of the missing 18-month-old squared off in a shouting match outside Toledo Municipal Court on Thursday after the toddler’s mother, Angela Steinfurth, had a preliminary hearing.

    Angela Steinfurth, 25, during a pretrial in Toledo Municipal Court on June 20, 2013.
    Angela Steinfurth, 25, during a pretrial in Toledo Municipal Court on June 20, 2013.

     Richard Schiewe, Mrs. Steinfurth’s stepfather and the toddler’s grandfather, was talking to a reporter and said people have been driving past his East Toledo home yelling, “Baby killer.”

    Terry Steinfurth, Jr., Mrs. Steinfurth’s estranged husband and Elaina’s father, was standing nearby and shouted, “They’re saying ‘Bring Elaina home, get it right.’ ”

    Throwing their arms into the air, the two began to argue, swearing at one another and shouting. The near-brawl was broken up by a passing man.

    “Get him away from me, I got a restraining order against him,” Mr. Steinfurth said, pointing at Mr. Schiewe.

    “I got a restraining order on him,” Mr. Schiewe shouted back.

    Mr. Steinfurth walked toward Cherry Street. Mr. Schiewe went to the Toledo Police Department to file a report for alleged threats.

    Mrs. Steinfurth was taken back to the Lucas County jail. She is held in lieu of $250,000 bond on a child endangering charge; she reportedly told police she knew her daughter was hurt seriously and did not seek medical attention.

    Elaina was last seen June 2 at a home in Federal Street’s 700 block.

    Mrs. Steinfurth, 26, of 329 Valleywood Dr. is to be in court again Monday, after the hearing was continued upon a request from the Toledo Police Department.