Drowning of 2 boys defies explanation, North Park Church pastor tells flock

North Park Church pastor Dan Hendley told his packed service on Sunday that he couldn't explain the actions of a mother in their congregation accused of killing two of her sons.

“What can a Bible teacher say when a member of his own church drowns her own two sons? There are things I just don't understand,” Hendley said from the pulpit.

The family needs their prayers, he said.

Police have accused Laurel Michelle Schlemmer, 40, who went by Michelle, of drowning Luke, 3, and attempting to drown his brother Daniel, 6, on Tuesday in a bathtub in their home. Daniel Schlemmer died on Saturday in Children's Hospital in Lawrenceville, where he had been on life support.

The Schlemmers were active members of North Park Church. Many members wiped away tears as Hendley spoke of the family. Mark Schlemmer, 43, the boys' father, was not at home at the time of the drownings, and a 7-year-old brother was at school.

“Michelle is a fallen woman,” Hendley said. “We cannot view anything Michelle has done except with grief and disapproval, but we must view it with humility.”

Michelle Schlemmer remains in the Allegheny County Jail.

“A father's heart is in agony. He mourns the loss of two sons and the practical loss of his wife. (The 7-year-old) has lost his mother and two brothers. The depth of (grief) for one family, my goodness,” Hendley said. “There's nothing most people can do except pray.”

Church members said they were praying for the family as they left the service. They appreciated Hendley's words.

“I think (Hendley) is doing a good job. He's had to keep the church community together, deal with the media, the family, Michelle, and God, of course,” said Paul Bonosky, 63, of Richland. “He said, in summary, that God will be her judge.”

His wife, Donna Bonosky said she knew Michelle Schlemmer from singing with her in the choir 10 years ago, and she recalls seeing the Schlemmers at church every Sunday.

“(Hendley) put it in perspective that we as a church can pray and grieve, but we don't understand it,” said Donna Bonosky, 55.

Ed and Sally Hilderhoff of McCandless said it's hard for anyone to talk about what happened.

“The whole church is behind them,” Sally Hilderhoff, 76, said.

Hendley said he spoke with Mark Schlemmer on Saturday night. Funeral arrangements for the boys are incomplete; however, any service would likely be small and limited to close friends and family.

Michelle Schlemmer told investigators that “crazy voices” told her that she could be a better mother to her oldest child if the other two “weren't around,” according to court records.

Hendley said several factors could have played roles in what happened, including mental illness. He said Michelle Schlemmer may have had a psychotic break with reality.

“Michelle referred to crazy voices. Crazy? Evil? Demonic?” Hendley said. “Did (Satan) play a role in this terrible story? I believe he did.”

Bobby Kerlik is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7886 or bkerlik@tribweb.com.