Ida Gingerich Stutzman, a pregnant 26-year-old Swartzentruber Amish wife and mother, died a barn fire in Dalton, Ohio July 1977. Her death was ruled as natural causes by Wayne County, Ohio officials.

Her husband Eli Stutzman was later convicted of homicide in the death of Glen Albert Pritchett in Travis County, Texas. He is also suspected to be involved in the death of his own son Danny found dead on Christmas Eve 1985 in Thayer County, Nebraska. Danny has known, until his identification, as "Little Boy Blue" because of the blue blanket sleeper the boy, 9, was wearing. In addition, Eli is a suspect in two murders in Durango, Colorado, also in 1985. David Tyler, 36, and Dennis Sleater, 24,  were the victims.

The circumstances surrounding Ida's demise have always been shrouded with suspicion and doubt due to Eli's criminal history and his relationship with Wayne County officials. The Amish community has long questioned whether justice was truly served or if it was overlooked due to Eli's connections with Sheriff James Frost.

We believe that there is enough evidence pointing towards suspicious circumstances surrounding Ida’s death and it warrants a reevaluation by county authorities. It is time for Wayne County officials to accept responsibility for any oversight that may have occurred during their initial investigation into her passing.

Ida deserves justice; she deserves her story to be heard and acknowledged accurately. We urge Wayne County authorities not only to reopen this case but also amend her cause of death from natural causes to suspicious or homicide on her official records if they find evidence supporting this claim during their investigation.

Please sign this petition urging Wayne County officials for a thorough reevaluation into the cause of Ida Gingerich Stutzman’s tragic demise.