Stand With the Curtright and Berger Families-DENY Parole for James A. Love #28450

On New Year’s Eve 1974 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri (population ~22K at the time), 14‑year‑old Shelia Curtright and 2‑year‑old Jeffrey Berger were brutally beaten, stabbed, and stomped to death while Shelia was babysitting Jeffrey and left to die in a burning home. A neighbor, James A. Love, gained entry under false pretenses and brutally murdered both innocent children. 

Love vehemently denied his guilt at the time but has now admitted his guilt in the last several parole hearings. He was convicted in 1975 of two counts of second‑degree murder and sentenced to 300 years in prison (150 years for each child, served consecutively-not concurrently). At the time, Missouri did not offer life without parole, but the sentence was intended to ensure he would never be released.

Yet for decades, the Curtright and Berger families have been forced to repeatedly relive this horrific crime through parole hearings. What began as an unimaginable tragedy has now impacted three generations. 

In early April 2026, the families will once again travel to Jefferson City to OPPOSE parole. Shelia and Jeffrey were given no second chance, their murderer should not be awarded the second chance the children never received.

Please stand with the families and urge that parole be DENIED. Support is needed now more than ever because as James A. Love ages, his  advancing age significantly increases the likelihood of parole consideration. This hearing is one of the most critical the families have faced.

You can show your support by signing this petition (and leaving comments or personal statements), emailing julie.loveall@doc.mo.gov, and/or mailing a letter to (REFERENCE INMATE LOVE  #28450):
Julie Loveall
Office of Victim Services
2400 Knipp Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109