Community Corner
Stepmother: 'We've Had No Contact With Him for Four Years'
The stepmother of the man suspected of raping and killing Skyler Kauffman speaks of her relationship with James Lee Troutman.
In an exclusive telephone interview with Patch, James Lee Troutman's stepmother, Theresa, revealed a shocking piece of information.
"We have had no contact with him for over four years," said Theresa. "We don't know why we haven't heard from him. He just cut us off four years ago. We have no idea why."
Due to the lack of communication between Troutman and his parents, Theresa ended up learning of her stepson's charges through the media.
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"We didn't know anything about this until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon," said Theresa.
In reference to Troutman, Theresa stated that, outside of the abrupt family severance, Troutman never struck her as someone who was capable of the crimes he's being charged with.
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She described him as a typical person, with "nothing odd or strange about him."
"It's a very rough time. "It's ... it's ... it's not an easy thing to hear," said Theresa, who was struggling with keeping her composure during the statement.
"I feel so sorry for the Kauffman family," said Theresa.
When reached for comment at his place of employment, the suspect's father, James "Bill" Troutman Sr., declined to be interviewed.
