BURRILLVILLE – The 20-year-old man charged this week in the death of a 17-year-old Burrillville girl has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
The local community, meanwhile, is raising funds following the tragedy for the young woman’s services.
Nevaeh Goddard was found dead on Friday, April 5 in the Stow, Mass. home she was reportedly sharing with her boyfriend Shane Curry. According to reports, police performed a well-being check at the residence and were kept outside for nearly two hours before gaining access, and discovering the victim’s body. Curry was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and causing serious bodily injury on a household or family member.
News reports covering the tragedy over the past week note that Goddard was born in a Pennsylvania prison, and was raised by her grandfather, Michael Simmons, who lives in Burrillville. She had been previously reported as missing by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
On Friday, April 12, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence issued a release about the suspected homicide.
“Nevaeh was a teenager who had her whole life ahead of her. She should be here with us today to live out her hopes and dreams,” RICADV noted. “It is crucial we support our youth and create safe environments for all Rhode Island teens and young adults. Unfortunately, far too many young people are experiencing domestic abuse. One in seven Rhode Island teens has experienced dating violence. Dating violence is a form of domestic violence and can include emotional, verbal, financial, cyber, physical, and sexual abuse. Like domestic violence, dating violence can escalate to the point of lethality and needs to be taken seriously.”
On GoFundMe, a campaign set up to cover Goddard’s memorial expenses had raised $1,545 as of Friday afternoon.
“Nevaeh had a unique and special energy about her – earthy, free-spirited, and spiritually connected,” notes the campaign. “Her young soul was taken far too soon, leaving a void in our hearts that can never be filled.”
“Any contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated as we come together to give Nevaeh the beautiful service she deserves,” it notes.
Stow authorities have said that the chief medical examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of Goddard’s death, and that for Curry, additional charges may be coming.
Curry reportedly has a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday, April 17.
She was too young to legally *marry* in MA, precisely for reasons like this.
If her grandfather knew where she was but didn’t tell anyone… hm…
And could Curry’s mother claim that she didn’t know about the underage girlfriend who weighed only 75 pounds at death and presumably also was bruised because Curry admits he was beating her on the regular?
Who has been paying the rent and utilities on that large suburban house?
Prayers to her grandfather. And other family. She deserved more in life and she deserved to live the rest of her life. So sad
It’s also disheartening that so many people have read this story & do t comment. Say how you feel. This is something that didn’t have to happen, but Nevaeh P. Goddard was lost to a broken system, a system we pay for that clearly is non-existent. There’s a bunch of kids with no follow ups on there..
When reported missing children found or whereabouts are known why isn’t the website updated??? If a family knows their underage child is with a jerk but allows it, how is that a resolved issue of a missing child? There is an underreporting issue on missing persons & a clear lack of follow up on these cases.