Sheriff Curtis Hill said today the young girl found dead at a property on Shore Road on Wednesday morning suffered two gunshot wounds from a .357 Magnum and authorities suspect her mother for murder.
At a press conference today, Hill spoke about his agency arresting 39-year-old Cheryl L. Busch on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of murder for the shooting death of her daughter, 19-month-old Donna May Busch, on the property in the 2300 block of Shore Road. Hill stated that the murder weapon was a "Smith and Wesson 357 model 686" with a six-inch barrel, and that the child was shot twice - once in the chest and once in the head.
"In my 32 years in the county, I don't recall a mother ever killing her child," said Hill, adding that Donna May was Busch's only child.
Regarding motive, Hill said that his department is putting together the "whole motive component," adding that Busch did not make any statements to law enforcement in regard to a reason for the alleged crime, and that she has requested an attorney.
San Benito County sheriff's officials also recommended to charge Busch on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, also a felony, according to Sheriff Hill, who added that the charge resulted from a November conviction for battery against a cohabitant.
Hill noted that Busch was still on probation from the November incident and his department wanted to make sure she would not be assigned bail, adding, "We have a concern as to her potential for suicidal behavior and we are currently holding her in a safety cell without bail."
Though Hill left many questions unanswered at the press conference, as he could not divulge some information, a clearer picture of the events did emerge.
Apparently the father, 52-year-old longtime San Benito County resident, John Busch, called the sheriff's office initially to report the shooting and was transferred to 911 dispatchers. He reported that he had been outside the home getting ready to leave for work and that "his attention was brought back to the residence," most likely by the sound of gunshots, Hill said. He entered the residence and saw the baby in the playpen already shot twice. The husband removed the weapon from the scene "in an effort to get it outside the scope of the scene," Hill explained.
Authorities arrived, along with paramedics, to find John Busch outside, Hill said, and he took them inside where his wife and the victim were located. Paramedics attempted to revive the child, but when asked if there was any belief the child might have been alive, Hill responded, "The victim was deceased."
Hill described both parents as being very distraught, which led to them both being taken into custody, but hastened to stress that the husband was released without any charges.
Regarding the history of problems at the home, Hill said he was aware of only one time the police had responded in November of last year. But he is aware that there had been "angst and disagreement between the parents."
"We will have preliminary reports for the purpose of a hearing on the desk of the D.A. by late this afternoon," finished Hill, adding that the arraignment could take place as early as Friday afternoon.
Hill also noted today that firefighters had entered the house with a chainsaw shortly after the body's discovery to remove evidence.
The property includes a house, two barns and poultry-like pens. Cheryl's Chateau, a pet-grooming and boarding business, was run by Busch out of the residence and outbuildings.
Jeff Gatlin Jeff Gatlin is a staff writer at The Hollister Free Lance. You can call him at (831) 637-5566 or send him an email.
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