Tuesday, April 17, 2012 forever changed the a Spring family when a new mother was gunned down outside her pediatrician’s office, with her assailants stealing her 3-day-old son and speeding away as the mortally wounded woman tried in vain to hang onto their vehicle.
The murder and kidnapping launched a massive manhunt, and an Amber Alert and gained nationwide attention as the horrific story spread by every form of media. The child was recovered within hours, and people were detained by law enforcement, but many questions remain as the investigation continues and the community is in a state of shock.
Around 2:20 p.m., 28-year-old Kala Marie Golden-Schuchardt was leaving the Northwoods Pediatric Center at 25214 Borough Park Drive with her newborn son, Keegan Schuchardt following a checkup. The mother walked out to her pickup in the parking lot where witnesses say a Lexus was parked beside it with the suspects inside. Initial details were sketchy as the Sheriff’s Office tried to piece together events from evidence and witness statements.
Witnesses said a black female was engaged in a verbal altercation with Golden-Schuchardt before shooting her multiple times.
Tia Collins was in a parking lot across the street when she heard the altercation. Collins said she lay on the ground, fearing for her own safety, and saw the two women struggling. Collins said she counted what she thought were seven shots fired.
“I saw a black male get out, grab the (baby carrier containing Keegan), and get back into the vehicle,” Collins said.
Other reports said the shooter grabbed the carrier and placed little Keegan in the vehicle herself. Investigators were unable to obtain a description of the shooter’s male accomplice.
Witnesses reported hearing the wounded mother scream, “My baby! My baby!” as she reached into the Lexus, trying to retrieve her child. The Lexus knocked her down as it sped away, with her blood smeared on the side.
Medics rushed Golden-Schuchardt by ground ambulance to Memorial Hermann Hospital in The Woodlands where she was pronounced dead.
Law enforcement converged on the scene, along with news media, and an Amber Alert was issued along with a description of the blue Lexus, driven by a “skinny” black woman, late 20’s to early 30’s with “gold” hair.
Around 9:30 p.m., Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon announced little Keegan had been recovered, alive and well, and was reunited with his father.
The suspect’s vehicle was discovered and seized at an apartment complex on Sawmill Road.
“(Keegan) was recovered at another location with the help of Montgomery County SWAT,” Ligon said, “With Sgt. Jason Salter in charge, along with Texas DPS, units were able to go into the location and get the child.”
Ligon said the scene was “just a few short minutes from where the murder occurred.”
The next day Judge Edwards announced there would be no bond set in the case.
Then on October 18, 2012 District Attorney Brett Ligon appeared in District Judge Edwards Court and told the court that after looking at the case they have decided to prosecuted the case as a Capital Murder Case seeking the Death Penalty.
Today Vera McClain appeared in Judge Kelly Case’s Court and plead guilty to murder. She was sentenced to life without parole.
“I know she’s going to prison and will never get out, and she did admit to killing my daughter, but I’ll never be over the pain of losing my daughter. Ever,” said Kala’s mother, Linda Golden, following the sentencing.
Neither will the victim’s three children.
“Kala was our only daughter, but she was so much more to us than that. My heart cries out for her every day. Her 3-year-old sees pictures of Kala and says ‘That’s my mommy and I love her. When is she coming home?’” Golden said.
Afterwards District Attorney Brett Ligon said the family was good with the life without parole as the family needed closure after 582 days no trial date was even set by 9th District Judge Kelly Case. The family needed closure.
Defense attorney George Parnham said there is no temporary insanity in Texas and to plea to insanity was not an option either.
McClain, will die in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice with a number on her uniform, said Ligon.
If the case had gone to trial it could have lasted weeks. The family would have had to through the trial. If she had been convicted and given the death penalty an automatic appeal takes place which is additional time and cost to the taxpayers.
Even after that appeals could last years and in rare cases be returned to the courts for re-trials. Just up to January 2013 attorney fees have mounded up to over $60,000.
