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Group Wants Stiff Sentence For Doctor

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Posted: 6:53 PM Jul 20, 2008
Last Updated: 4:05 PM Jul 21, 2008
Reporter: Cathleen Moxley
Email Address: cathleen.moxley@wsaz.com

54 comments

A | A | A

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Next week a former West Virginia Doctor of the Year will find out whether he will spend any time behind bars. Dr. John Merifield pleaded guilty back in April to felony neglect for not reporting the abuse he found on one of his patients.

Melissa Eren says her trust of Dr. Merifield turned to tears when she lost her grandson, Logan Goodall, to abuse. She spent Sunday rallying for justice along Corridor G.

Logan died after repeated abuse when he was only two years old. His mother's boyfriend, Michael Merifield, will spend the rest of his life in jail for the crime.

Now West Virginians Against Abuse hope to put Michael's father, Dr. Merifield, behind bars too.

Sandy Morris, a member of WVAA, says, "We feel that Dr. Merrifield contributed to Logan's death, and if he would have done what he was supposed to, Logan would still be here."

They say they fear the judge will give the doctor probation instead of jail time for not reporting the abuse to authorities.

In exchange for Dr. Merifield's plea to felony neglect, charges were dropped against his wife.

Sentencing is set to happen July 29 at 2 p.m.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Bal Harbour on Jul 29, 2008 at 09:30 AM
How much time on the clock did it take Dr. John to treat Logan? How musch time on the clock did Logan's mother and her family look at this child's injuries and not report them? Oh, that is right! Mommy's excuse was that she was buzzed. Today, there will be people pointing their finger at the Merrifields. Let me know when we get to point our fingers at Logan's pathetic family. NO TIME FOR THE DOCTOR! Minimal time for Pepper and none for her mother = THE REAL INJUSTICE.

Posted by: Ed on Jul 23, 2008 at 01:45 AM
To start with ANYONE knowing of a child being abused and not turning the abuser in to the law should be put in jail,becouse thay are just as guilty as the abuser!!!and even thoug DR.john Merrifield used to be my Doctor i still feel that he should get every thing comeing to him!for the sake of that poor child and what he went through.i followed the trail and he is just as guilty as his son!for knowing and doing NOTHING about it.and the DR.s wife should at least get probation if nothing elis.also for HER part of knowing!and from watching the trail the brother knew or had something to do with it,if not then why did he try to committ sueaside when HIS name was brought into it?it is a very sad thing to lisson to the trail and hear what that child went through,it brought tears to my eyes every day that i watched it.there is NO sentance that could be great enough for any of them in my book!!!and beleve me i would hate to be them come JUDGEMENT DAY!!!MAY GOD FOREVER BLESS LOGEN

Posted by: DefendingGrandma on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:07 PM
To all who have tried Missy Eren and found her guilty of allowing her grandson to die, remember this -- Missy Eren TRUSTED Dr. Merrifield; she knew Logan was injured but as a long-time family friend and trusted physician, she believed Dr. Merrifield and the Merrifield's family's explanations -- she had no way of knowing how vile they were and that they were not the outstanding family they appeared to be....remember, he's 'DOCTOR OF THE YEAR' voted that by his peers after allowing the poor baby to suffer and die; he is well thought of, so therefore trusted by Missy Eren as well as other members of her family. Please, she has suffered enough, her only crime was trusting this family.

Posted by: anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:02 PM
To Doc and others wanting to know what the "doctor of the year did"...to find complete trial coverage type in "Logan Goodall" in the WSAZ search box, then click this link on page 2... "COMPLETE COVERAGE: Michael Merrifield Found Guilty of Murder" you will find what the "good doctor" did...all the trial info is there. (very disturbing and emotional) This doc protected his son and allowed him to slowly torture this baby physically and emotionally. Let's pray he can never practice medicine again ANYWHERE! What this child went through is absolutely horrible. Michael, both Mr and Mrs Merrifield, as well as Pepper, I hope this haunts you the rest of your life! Does someone have to send up a flair to be suspicious.. when something was wrong with Logan....he always had to go to Michael's "daddy" for treatment! Drugs are not an excuse, but it sounded better than "I put Michael first" Melissa Eren, keep on rallying.. "justice for all" most importantly for Logan, now a precious heavenly angel.

Posted by: Ann on Jul 22, 2008 at 06:19 PM
I think who ever granted the plea bargin to Pepper should be feeling very bad. She should have life in jail without mercy for allowing these horrible things to happen to her son. Maybe the worst Mother of the year award! No mother should put drugs or a man before her child. Also, should not also her parents be somewhat guilty? They baby sat for this child and I am sure changed his diapers and would have seen something. This child was failed severely by the ones who should have been protecting him.

Posted by: John on Jul 22, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I believe the thermostat to hell will be turned up when these people show up.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Come on people the abuser was his son. For the people and doctors on here saying that child abuse is hard to detect open your eyes. The point is he knew it was going on and that is why he was the childs doctor. If they had taken the child to any other doctor the abuse would have been reported. He took on this child to protect his child for abusing him. He is just as guilty if not more for not reporting it. He may have been a father, but he was a doctor who had a duty to this poor little boy to document and report this abuse. I would not blame the grandparents. I have seen pictures of the family together and pictures of Little Logan with sets of grandparents and I believe that they really loved this child.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Give him life..

Posted by: Sharon on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:05 PM
If we eliminated the plea bargin then poor little victimized Pepper would be spending life in jail. (as she should be)

Posted by: .. on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:22 PM
To Doc, read it again, the info the Dr. knew was that his son was abusing this child and did nothing.

Posted by: lz on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Logan would be here today, if the doctor of the year (Dr. Merrifield) would have reported the abuse. Dr. Merrifield needs to be in the prison with his son; he is just as guilty...

Posted by: Judith on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:34 AM
heather i agree with you, I say AMEN!!! I am a grandmother, I keep my boys some. But I would know!!!! And I would KILL someone if they touched one of my boys in ANYWAY!!! Maw Maw knew somthing, she had to. RIP Little Man

Posted by: Misty on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Well whatever he gets wont be enough in my book. I dont know how people live with there self knowing they are the reason a child is DEAD.

Posted by: To Sunny on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:55 AM
You loved Logan so much that you get on here and defend his killers. Guess that abusiveness is a trait that runs through family genes. YOU MAKE PEOPLE ON HERE SICK WITH YOUR STUPIDITY. All of them should rot in prison for what this child suffered.

Posted by: Rhonda on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:31 AM
I believe Dr. Merifield is guilty, but so is this grandmother. I absolutely agree that all involved are guilty. I hope the DA takes a closer look at all involved. I do believe the doctor should be held to a higher standard but they are all guilty. There's a lesson here,,,, if you suspect, you should report.

Posted by: anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:11 AM
The Erens are really good at pointed the finger at everyone else. You can't tell me that they didn't see any signs of abuse. I guess it's easier to point all the blame to others than to accept any part of it.

Posted by: Richard on Jul 22, 2008 at 02:06 AM
This man has took up for and paid to keep his sons out of trouble for years he would never believe anyone about there behavier now his sons has drug him down with them MAN UP!!!!

Posted by: April on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:40 PM
I couldn't even imagine what that little boy went through. I can't tell you what his favorite dinner was. Only thing I have to offer is my sympothy. Sympothy for man-kind thinking that not only his mother, his stepfather, but his dr, even surrounding family and friends couldn't stop the horrendous act that a 2YR OLD BABY went through in his short little time here. We should be ashamed as a community. STOP POINTING FINGERS (because it is so easy to do) and start looking to see how we can make sure this NEVER happens again to another HUMAN BEING. That dr had a duty to his patient and his community when he took his oath as a dr. I know how hard it is myself being a healthcare provider. A 2yr old baby was suffering. He's not suffering anymore. Let's rejoice in that! and pray that we find an answer before it happens again. The decisions we make are the ones we have to live with for the rest of our lives. Remember that when you think you are doing YOUR PART and looking the other way.

Posted by: SUE on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:17 PM
If the doctor had done what he is supposed to do "BY LAW" Logan might still be here. He could have saved that poor childs life, instead, he kept things quiet, and the child led an abusive life. My little Logan rest in peace now! It is time for the guilty to PAY!!!

Posted by: IHeardTheDetails on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:46 PM
I was in court almost every day, Doc, and I heard the details; Dr. Merrifield sutured Logan's cut scrotum and treated his burned body -- he knows abuse injuries; don't defend him -- was thee evidence of injury? go get the autopsy photos and report -- where have you been?

Posted by: Me2 on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Melissa and Bobby Eren were not arrested for this crime, Michael Merrifield, Diane Merrifield and John Merrifield were. The jury found Michael Merrifield guilty. John Merrifield decided to plea bargain and pled no contest which is saying there was enough evidence to convict him. He also got his wife's charges dismissed. He should have gone to trial and let a jury decide-then maybe he would get the time he deserves. We need to eliminate plea bargains in abuse cases!! Laws need to change. Judges need to be strong and do their job! Sonny, quit lowering yourself by standing up for this family, what is wrong with you? You need help yourself.

Posted by: Mike on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Typical Dock. Thinks he is above all. Including the Law. I know a lot of you will say not my Dock. Well you are fooling yourself. Envite him or her over for a cup of coffee or a drink. See if Mr high and Mighty will except. They have this attitude because people treat them as if they were special. Well i am here to tell you they AINT.This guy should go to the slammer with his kid. He is just a guilty .

Posted by: Doc on Jul 21, 2008 at 08:29 PM
It is impossible to understand this case with the few details we have been given. What information did the doctor know? Was there a confession, evidence of injury, etc? It is easy to sit back and state the doctor should of suspected abuse. However, as a doctor abuse is difficult to ascertain. Obviously, this was a good physician as he as already recieved several awards and has many numerous patients. I think we need to hear the full case before we can pass such judgement.

Posted by: Cindy on Jul 21, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Everyone who came into contact with this child and did nothing are to blame....but his mother is the one who needs the most punishment... she let her child be abused and did nothing.. she needs to spend the rest of her life in jail.. she is not a victim, she is a murderer right along with her sick boyfriend, Michael, who abused this child... sick people

Posted by: Tim on Jul 21, 2008 at 06:13 PM
I agree with Betty. The doc is as guilty as his son and should get the years behind bars to the fullest extent of the law. His wife should have never been allowed to be let off with the doc pleading guilty. Should he get no prison time, then the judge had Logan's blood on his hands too.

Posted by: Agard on Jul 21, 2008 at 05:57 PM
To Jess: Logan was NOT Dr. Merrifield's grandson. He was no relation to the child. Get your facts straight before commenting.

Posted by: Melissa on Jul 21, 2008 at 05:06 PM
OK! SUNNY, IF THAT IS YOUR REAL NAME.YOU THINK YOUR SO SMART,JUST HOW MUCH DO YOU KNO? BET YOU CAN'T SAY WHO THE FAMILY MEMBER IS THAT GAVE YOU THIS FALSE INFORMATION.AND FOR THE ONE WHO POSTED BY:FOR MELISSA EREN,YOU CAN'T SPELL EITHER.THIS IS MY LAST TIME PLAYING YOUR GAME!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 04:46 PM
they should try melissa eren. i am tired of seeing and hearing about her.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 04:39 PM
To JESS! He was not the grandchild of the GOOD DOCTOR. This man took an oath to cause no harm and he was supposed to protect that little boy from whoever it was that was abusing him, be it his son or anyone else. He FAILED that little boy as much if not more than the person or persons who actually abused him. You people who still defend Michael I would love to know why this DOCTOR would have taken a deal if he was innocent! He killed this child and the mother allowed it so she could continue her own selfish ways. Doesn't mean that this man didn't have a duty as a physician to protect this child from the monster that he himself raised!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 02:34 PM
i can't believe pepper eren tried to get out of prison a few months ago. she is white trash. it's just as much her fault as it was anyones. she said"i was on drugs" alot of people are on drugs andthey don't allow their child to be harmed. poor kid .

Posted by: sunny on Jul 21, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Okay, Melissa EREN, there you go, I really could care less how to spell your name. This information came from one of your family members so I have my story straight, and I suspect they do too. How dare you talk about plea bargins and protection from abuse. If you had protected this child from your own drug-addict daughter...let me see, I beleive she also took a plea bargin. It is terrible the prosecution had to let the real killer go with only 1-10 by getting her to lie about things. The Merrifield's hid Logan, oh please.You knew where they lived.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 12:03 PM
why does pablo comment on every story. he needs to get a life. what a loser

Posted by: a loving mother on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Dr. Merrifield seen the childs wounds first hand and did not report the abuse. It was his duty as a doctor to do so, but instead he continued to cover for his son. No matter what, god will have his wrath with the dr. & Michael.

Posted by: Jess on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I seriously think that the grandma needs to give it up. It was his grandson son also. maybe he did not know what was going on. People have to remember it is so much easier to point fingers. Maybe she should have seen the signs. maybe It was the grandma's fault also, because a grandmother know's when something is wrong or not going right.

Posted by: anon on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I think it is sad... I know of a CPS case just last week, and what do you know CPS did not show in court nor did the mother that was being abused along with the child....

Posted by: Betty on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:56 AM
The doctor is just as quilty as his son, he could have stopped the abuse but by letting it continue he as well as his son took Logans life.

Posted by: Heather on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I say every family member and friend that came in contact with that baby for an extended period of time and could see something wrong and didn't report it should get the death penalty.. too bad WV .. too bad..

Posted by: SAM on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:29 AM
WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS MOM? THIS DOCTOR SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THE CRIME, I AGREE. BUT HIS MOTHER SHOULD HAVE PROTECTED HIM. HE DID NOT ABUSE THE CHILD.

Posted by: for Melissa Erin on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Why were the Merrifields (dad and son), and Pepper the only people charged? If you and the other family members knew or suspected any abuse going on with Logan, why didn't you call CPS? This has been a witch hunt to get the Merrifields. If John and Michael Merrifield are not liked it is because of you and the other hate mongers like you who have directed your hate for them because you didn't do the right thing when you and the others knew or suspected abuse to clear your mind of GUILT for just sitting back and doing nothing about it. You attacked them in the media and standing along the highway at southridge every chance you got. This has been nothing but a witch hunt by you and the others to get the Merrifields. Bravo Sunny for your comments!! Like Sunny, You also make me sick!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:03 AM
I do not know, but I hope the mother is also in jail for this horrible tragedy. If a doctor is held responsible, then the mother should too. The mother should have been the first one to notice what was going on. This boyfriend will get his in jail. Those freaks love prisoners who do horrible things to little kids. Hopefully, they will "punish" him for a long time.

Posted by: SHARON on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:36 AM
I THINK THE MOTHER DESERVEDA STIFFER SENTENCE AS WELL AS THE OTHER GRANDPARENTS...YOU CAN NOT TELL ME THEY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS ALSO.

Posted by: nana on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:21 AM
if he gets off with a slap on the wrist, the public needs to band together to have the Prosecutor and the Judge thrown out of OFFICE....they are elected....right?

Posted by: samm on Jul 21, 2008 at 04:05 AM
I followed the trial on Logans death closely and all I can say is each and every person involved that even remotely knew of the abuse on this tiny little boy needs to be punished. They each in turn are as guilty as Michael for knowing and allowing it to go on. How many nights did these people go to bed and sleep knowing that poor child was going thru hell and didnt do one single thing about it. YES the doctor is guilty,by not reporting it he abused that child too as well as his wife. They didnt want to get their little boy in trouble so they hid the fact of what he was doing. I hope Michaels mother sees Logan in her dreams every night of her life and knows she helped kill him and yet she got off free. If the judge lets the Doctor off then he too is just as gulity as Michael for Logans death. I know he can only do what the laws allow him to do but giving the doctor the maxium sentence allowed is the least he should do. After all that judge is going to have to look in his mirror too.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 12:46 AM
he will not do any time watch and see sad thing to say

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 20, 2008 at 11:08 PM
everyone is looking for someone to blame and the dr. will probably get more time then the man who did it sad all around. if it was a socal worker who looked over abuse nothing would be said of that.

Posted by: John on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I wish we could hand this scumbag and his son. Physicians are supposed to report abuse. He should have had the integrity to take his son out and beat him for what he did to this little boy. Wonder how long Both of these dirtbags will last in general population in prison? Hopefull some good criminal will save the taxpayers of this state some money and make their stay in prison short.

Posted by: a concerned teacher on Jul 20, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Child Protective Services are a joke. I have witnessed countless situations that have been repeatedly reported to CPS by teachers, counselors, etc. and their "investigations" yield nothing. I suppose if CPS workers actually did their jobs, they wouldn't have one!

Posted by: sickntired on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Laws have to change for the sake of our children. I know of one instance where CPS removed the kids from the home because of the abuse, neglect and etc only to have Judge Blume to return them back to the home of the abuser. The children also had 3 different case workers to work the case. The turnover rate is so high with CPS, it seems like everybody wants to be a supervisor. They have borrowed workers from other counties to help out with the back load. You take pictures of children that have bruises on their little backs from the belts used to woop them with and the pics come up missing. Then you have people to apply to be foster parents and they don't meet CPS' specs but then they tell you to goto Braley and Thompson to become certified and we get you in that way. What happens then? You have children being abused yet again. The system is broke and it needs fixed now.

Posted by: Melissa Eren on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:47 PM
I may make "sunny",sick.But Michael & John are not well liked by many people.And if you are going to put my name on your comments,PLEASE spell it right.Let me see,John Merrifield took a PLEA BARGIN,to save his Wife from being convicted.So that tells ME that John has admitted his guilt.By the way call CPS and they can tell you that they had never been called ,Untill Michael's INVOLVEMENT in Logan's life.So GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT.A nother person he Merrifield's family hid Logan from our Family.

Posted by: private on Jul 20, 2008 at 09:24 PM
what about all these cases that goes to court and the cps, prosecutors and judge plea bargain and give the kids back and are rarely heard from again when are they held accountable. That is what would've happened had he reported it and then would they are be held accountable? of course not they did the best they could what a joke the system is no help for the children

Posted by: wondering on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:58 PM
i just wonder how much money it will take for the judge to let him stay out of jail?you people do know thats usually what happens.they grease the judges palm.....

Posted by: Pablo on Jul 20, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Of course he'll just get probation. If you have any doubt, see how they left his wife off without any punishment? Contact the governor and your other state elected officials and put the pressure on them this election year to stiffen punishment on all crimes. Until you do, probation will be the end result in most cases. Just wait and see.

Posted by: sunny on Jul 20, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Once again, you make me sick Melissa Erin. You know I have always heard it is the person or (persons) who alway point to the blame and make the most noise to cover up their own guilt. Also if you thought Logan was being abused, why didn't you do something about it-I believe it is because you, your daughter and the rest of your family were doing the abusing. Someone that knows your family (actually a relative) told me one time that CPS was involved before Michael Merrifield even came into Logan's life. We all loved Logan and there is not a day that goes by we don't think about him but Michael and the whole Merrifield family are innocent. The only thing they are guilty of is getting involved with Pepper and YOU.

Posted by: Betty Lou on Jul 20, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Why should anyone feel the Dr. had anything to do with a death..who know's what kind of story the parent or whomever had taken the child to the Dr. had told, there is a lot of child abuse going on in this state,..does the Dept. of Human Services do anything about certain situations..NO..when child protective services go for a investigation, they do it as a pay day job only..if they were doing their job right,..there would be several abused children in the custody of the state..they have problems placing the children in homes...therefor they leave them in the situations they are in and are forgotten, the abuse goes on and on.

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