Shawn Grate was born in a small Ohio community on August 8, 1976, the youngest child of Theresa McFarland and Terry Grate (via Mansfield News Journal). Just days before his sixth birthday, his parents divorced and he went to live with his mother (per Ohio Supreme Court).
In statements to the court made by Grate’s elder sister Barbara Charter, it was revealed that the mother they shared had some serious issues. After becoming a mother at the age of 14, McFarland was married to the father of her baby, Edward Meadows. Charter stated that her mother was an alcoholic, but also a victim of serious abuse by Meadows, who was seven years her senior. The couple soon divorced, with McFarland marrying Terry Grate soon after. Charter commented that McFarland was emotionally distant and “not connected” to her children. Her marriage to Terry Grate was described as “off and on,” with McFarland disappearing on Fridays to “party” and often not coming back around until Sunday night rolled around.
Charter described her younger brother Shawn as a child who struggled with learning disabilities. He was an avid baseball player, but that came to an end at the age of 14 when it was discovered that he had a tumor in his throwing arm. After the surgery, he never played again. The clinical psychologist who examined Grate, Dr. John Fabian, revealed to the court that Grate had a “tumultuous [and] chaotic” life at home, and had early fantasies about killing his mother.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
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