Mother of Illinois spree killer Sheley sentenced for child endangerment
The mother of a spree killer who is serving six life sentences in Illinois has been sentenced in Whiteside County Court, according to court records.
Debra Sheley, 67, was sentenced Wednesday to two years of probation for a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment, Whiteside County Court documents show.
After a plea deal, James Sheley, 67, the father of spree killer Nicholas Sheley – pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault, court records say. In May 2024, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by three years to life of mandatory supervised release, with credit for 887 days served, court records show.
They are the parents of 45-year-old Nicholas Sheley, responsible for deaths in Illinois and Missouri during his killing spree in 2008.
In November 2019, Rock Falls Police arrested James K. Sheley and Debra L. Sheley, of Rock Falls, both then 62.
James Sheley was originally charged with four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, which is a Class X felony, and two counts of attempted criminal sexual assault, a Class 2 felony.
Debra Sheley faced a single charge of endangering the life or health of a child. She received credit for time already served.
Nicholas Sheley was convicted in the death of 65-year-old Ronald Randall, among others. Sheley killed Randall at a Galesburg car wash, then drove Randall's truck to Rock Falls, where more slayings ensued in June 2008.
