Dr. John Merrifield and Wife Diane Indicted on Gross Negligence Resulting in Death of Two-Year-Old Logan Shane Goodall
With the Merrifields of Dunbar, West Virginia, child abuse is a family affair. A grand jury indicted Dr. John V. Merrifield and his wife, Diane, on one count each of gross negligence resulting in the death of two-year-old Logan Shane Goodall. The doctor was also charged on two counts of treating Logan for serious wounds and failing to report them to the proper authorities.
John and Diane Merrifield are the parents of Michael Kent Merrifield. Michael Merrifield was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, child neglect resulting in death, sexual abuse by a parent or guardian and first-degree sexual assault. He is believed to be responsible for the abuse and injuries that resulted in Logan’s death. Logan was the son of Michael Merrifield’s girlfriend, Pepper Dawn Eren.
Eren was sentenced to one to 10 years in prison for child neglect causing injury. She said she believed Michael Merrifield when he told her Logan’s injuries, including bruises, burns, and a severe wound on his scrotum, were the result of accidents. She said she also relied on information from her longtime family doctor, Dr. Merrifield, when he told her Logan’s injuries were not serious.
The indictment charges that Dr. Merrifield knew Logan was being abused because he sewed a wound on Logan’s scrotum and treated the boy for serious burns to his heels and buttocks. As a physician, Dr. Merrifield should have reported the injuries to the Department of Health and Human Resources but failed to do so. If convicted, Diane Merrifield faces up to five years in prison and fines of up to $3,000. Dr. Merrifield faces an additional 20 days in jail and additional fines if convicted.
No need for a second opinion here folks. Book ‘em Danno.
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January 25th, 2007 at 11:45 am
How sad for this poor child, he seemingly had NOBODY on his side….my heart breaks for the pain he must have endured. I have a son roughly the same age and I cannot imagine doing that to a child…..
January 25th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
This is a good example of our ’system’ I just hate when the doctors, social workers and police have a chance to make a diffrence in a child’s life and they repeatedly FAIL! I feel so frustrated when I hear that the doctor of the year failed to report to the proper authorities! Poor child lets hope they lock this bastard up and throw away the key!
January 26th, 2007 at 9:56 am
This case does it for me. I don’t know what in the world is going on with people but the fact that this doctor would stand by, KNOWING that his son is torturing this beautiful baby, and defend his fucked up son is absolutely disgraceful. Makes me wonder what the Dr. is REALLY trying to hide…after all, we know that a lot of abusers were once sexually abused themselves…
There will be a reckoning in this case…
January 26th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Logan Goodall died in west virginia
his murders are being porsecuted in west virginia
if information is to ever be helpful it needs to be accurate
that aside why are police and social workers to blame for a doctors immoral and ignorant acts
January 27th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Dac, I understand your feelings. This is why I want to be in a postion where I am able to help the children that no one else will.
January 30th, 2007 at 6:35 am
To learn more about this case, go to our website, http://www.wvagainstabuse.org – Allegedly Dr. Merrifield’s wife lied to Child Protective Services when they tried to follow up on a report, saying she had never heard of Logan or his mother and that her son lived in another state! So they were both protecting the asshole. You wouldn’t believe the torture this poor baby endured. West Virginia needs the death penalty in this case. Recently Logan’s grandmother was attacked by someone claiming to be Dr. Merrifield’s best friend, because she was passing out flyers, trying to get justice for Logan.
January 30th, 2007 at 7:56 am
I am Logan’s Great Aunt on his mother’s side. I loved and cared about Logan with all of my heart. All family members from both sides loved and cared about him. None of us saw this coming. We have helped pass out flyers against Mike and the Merrifields to get some sort of Justice for Logan. If any of the Merrifields think this is going to stop us they are WRONG!!! I have tears every time Logan’s name is mentioned. Logan was a very loving child and for what was done to him they will have to answer to God on Judgement Day where justice will prevail.
January 30th, 2007 at 8:42 am
I am Logan’s Grandmother.I loved and cared for Logan so much.There is not a day that goes by that I don’t go into his bedroom and sit just to feel close to HIM.Logan will always be with me.I have wonderful video’s and picturers and a LOTS of memories of Logan my Little Man.MERRIFIELDS took Logan’s away from ME ,bBut they WILL NOT TAKE MY LOVE & MEMORIES FROM ME.I
January 30th, 2007 at 9:07 am
I wasn’t finish.I will continue to FIGHT FOR LOGAN’S JUSTICES.I was attacked by one of DOCTOR MERRIFIELDS BEST FRIEND.THE OLD DOC DOESN’T HAVE GOOD JUDGEMENT ON PICKING FRIENDS.Now the question is When is My Little man going to beable to rest in PEACE? Logan was loved by so many people the neighbors around here wants to remember Logan as the sweet Boy he was.It hurts everyone the abuse Logan got,causing his Death.I would not want to be in there shoes,on Judgement DAY WHEN THEY HAVE ANSWER BEFORE GOD.
January 30th, 2007 at 9:12 am
I think that the DOC and his WIFE should be convicted of murders, the same as their sorry excuse for a son…What a terrible tragedy that this beautiful little boy was murdered!
January 30th, 2007 at 10:43 am
The #3 comment of “Hurt” _ I agree with you. I have said so many times that Dr. Merrifield bred this monster son of his and did a good job. What is he hiding?
I know where he is hiding. He is an “icon” in a small town and hides behind that now tarnished reputation. Merrifield friends and patients – WISE UP AND BEWARE!!!!! I would like to see the law take every device they used to torture Logan and give them the same in return!
January 30th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Question – Wonder what ever happened to all the pit bull dogs Merrifield owned? Find the answer to that question and probably a lot of questions could be answered
January 30th, 2007 at 11:18 am
RUMORS!Now this is a RUMOR that Dr. Merrifield pit bull is still at his place of living,which is the Oakes APPARTMENTS.And rumors is Michaels pit bull is held at Putnam county shelter.Like I said this is the rumor i have heard.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Melissa, I believe she was talking about the farm or farms where he raises them to fight.
January 30th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
He raised pit bulls for fighting? My God…how could this guy be so cruel one minute and hold his head up as a doctor the next? All the Merrifields need to go down in flames. That’s the only justice for Logan…
January 30th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
I got some information today.the so call Dr. Merrifield got his son into fighting pitbulls.
They know a guy in Ohio that has a farm who raises pitbulls.It was first told dr.m. has a farm in Ohio,but my this person doesn’t believe
dr.m owes it.But then again who knows anything
about this creep.Dr.M. HAS A DOG NAME CHAN.Michael bought one from a farm out Tupper creek farm.It was youngand named Maco.I also was told he fight Maco in the basement on the west side of his friend M.H.wHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARE THEY?
January 31st, 2007 at 7:32 am
Hmmm…too bad some of this pit bull fighting information couldn’t make its way to the prosecutor. Nothing like a few more charges to hold over the creep’s head…
March 21st, 2007 at 9:02 am
I knew Michael when we were both in a school in charleston together. He brought 2 pit bull puppies to school one day to show everybody, later he told us how he was “training” them to fight. Fast forward to when he was out of school and living in kentucy, supposedly dog fighting was how he supported himself, owning what those in the business call a “grand champ” pit bull that was undefeated.
I’m definately not surprised that he is now in the situation he is, with the exception of sexual abuse, if that is true. He was always an extremely violent person, but raping a young boy doesn’t “fit” him, I suspect Pepper and her registered sex offender relative who had frequent contact with the boy did that part of it.
March 29th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
I knew Michael from school as well, I also know he abused his ex-girlfriend from high school, had and fought pit bulls and kept alligators as pets. His parents always covered up for him-bailing him out of jail etc. He drove the most expensive cars, would crash them and get new ones, bmws, 4-runners etc. He also alledgedly killed his ex girlfriend’s dog right in front of her. She kept going back to him because he supplied her drugs.
July 16th, 2007 at 7:09 am
The part where Michael fought dogs true. Dr. M being involved in dog fighting other than taking in Michaels dogs when he was done with them false. Michael lossing his temper or being rough with the toddler likely true. Michael sexually abusing him false. Peppers family having sexual predator (her grandfather)around Logan true. Dr. M trying to help people w out insurance or money for Dr. visit true. Dr. M covering up Logans abuse ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
July 27th, 2007 at 7:48 am
how do we go about getting medical records from dr merrifields office?
jbragg@holzerclinic.com
August 1st, 2007 at 7:35 pm
If Dr. Merrifield failed to report this incident to the WVDHHR then was there other incidents which he failed to report. Lets hope the West Virginia Board of Medicine checks into this.
August 2nd, 2007 at 6:48 am
To knewm2. You have some misinformation. Logan’s grandfather that is a registered sex offender is not from Logan’s mother’s side of the family. You can confirm this on PUTNAM LIVE’s website.
Also, if you “KNOW” Mike’s sexual abuse against Logan is false will we be seeing you testifying for the defense at his trial?????
August 6th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
I can’t believe the Dr. did not report OBVIOUS sexual abuse. That is scary. You atleast expect, extremely educated, people of authority, to report as they should. I hope that little boy will have a better life:(
August 14th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
The whole situation is disgusting. Anyone that had any knowledge of what was going on should rot in hell. I would to spend my free time writing hate letters to all of the Merrifield trash that HOPEFULLY spends the rest of their sorry days in prison.
September 29th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I have blogged about this case, and comments are encouraged. The entry can be found at http://appalachianlady.blogspot.com/2007/09/logan-shane-goodall-alleged-abusers.html
October 15th, 2007 at 4:41 am
I can’t believe this guy is a doctor. What an insult to a noble profession!
December 18th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I have not read one comment on here that is true. Dr Merrifield was never pepper’s, logans, or that retarded grandmothers doc. They found chemicals in his body that were used to cook meth witch was peppers biggest problem. She only knew Michael 6 weeks.According to that state medical examiner the marks on him happened 3 days before the death. Michael was at a concert at that time in penn. Logan was staying at the retards house at the time of the abuse. Peppers uncle was fresh out of prison and staying with the retarded grandmother at the time of the abuse. The biggest thing is there was never sexual abuse to that child so get the facts straight next time you post a comment
December 27th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Sewing up that poor little boy’s scrotum? burns on his body & there was no abuse. I’m afraid you need to get your facts straight. The evidence speaks for itself. If you knew that Pepper used meth and didn’t report it, than you are also at fault for failing to protect an innocent child. Or maybe you were in on the drug making and using. I’m tired of people ignoring the obvious facts. Dr. Merrifield was Logan’s pediatrician.- Fact- Dr. Merrifield failed to report abuse- Fact. How could anyone say that the Merrifields were not at fault. The mother is also at fault for choosing this sick bastard over her son. Everyone should be defending Logan and not his murderers. As for Logan, rest in peace precious angel. I’m sorry you were given disgusting people to take care of you.
December 27th, 2007 at 11:56 am
alovingmother, you are so right- 1000% right! All of those old wounds, you know the “mother” had to see them, if she was any kind of mother at all, she would have had that asshole procecuted. A lot of people failed this poor child miserably. I hope the God that they pay for what they have done to him.
I have NEVER understood any stupid woman who could choose a fucking man over her child. That is unforgivable and in this case, the worst kind of betrayal. She should burn in hell for that alone.
This is one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever read in my life.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
I haven’t seen where anyone posted about the guilty verdict for Michael Merrifield. I believe he got life without the possibility of parole. And his lawyer is filing an appeal – like it would do any good!
February 5th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
mrrockydog, thanks for the update. I was wondering about this. If I had my way, all of the people involved in this precious baby’s abuse would die. I have no sympathy at all for anyone who hurts a baby. This little guy was tortured. It’s so heartbreaking to me. I am from WV and I cannot believe that anything so horrible could happen in the state that I am from. I guess evil is everywhere…
February 5th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
mrrockydog, please if you hear anything else, let us know. Thank you very much.