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Small town residents resilient in wake of tragedy, violence

By Julie Riddle 6 min read

GLENNIE -- In a small-town shop with a bigfoot statue in front and a miniature golf course out back, the neighbor of a man accused of murder said big news can be tough on a small town.

Recent reports of the alleged killing of a 2-year-old girl by a local rattled the town of Glennie, home of about 1,200 residents in the heart of the Huron National Forest in Alcona County, said Janae Kierzek, dishing up ice cream for visitors on Wednesday.

When news outlets last month shared a mugshot of Alcona County man Aaron Trout, arrested for allegedly abusing toddler Jayde McDonnell and causing her death, Kierzek recognized him as her neighbor, a man she called a "wannabe gangster."

The death follows a string of serious crimes in the community in recent months, including assaults, a liquor store break-in, and the death of a man hit by a drunk driver.

Several Glennie residents speculate that such violence stems from newcomers who move north believing small towns to be a place where they don't have to follow rules.

Though violent crimes hit hard in small communities, where everyone knows everyone and neighbors trust neighbors, they don't define the people who live there, Kierzek said.

"There's the stereotype of, 'There's a bunch of crazy hillbilly rednecks there,'" she said. "No, we're actually all a pretty good community. We like each other. Except for the few people we don't like."

MURDER INVESTIGATION

Trout's July 22 arrest marked the first Alcona County murder investigation since 2010, according to Michigan State Police statistics.

Police arrested Trout, 31, after he allegedly left the girl, who was already deceased, and her mother at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena's emergency room.

Police arrested the child's mother, Adrienne Pavelka, several days later, accusing her of helping Trout in the alleged murder.

Trout returns to court next month for a hearing at which witnesses will tell a judge what they know about Jayde McDonnell's death.

Police have not said where they believe the child was killed but identified Trout as a Glennie resident.

'THERE IS A PAST'

In Glennie last week, employees at the Glennie Party Store said Trout was a regular customer who shopped at the store several times during the week before he was arrested.

"People in this town don't really like him," said Kristyn Apsey, manning the register at the store on Wednesday.

"We don't know his past," added fellow employee Amber Simpson, who said she doesn't know details of Trout's background. "We just know that there is a past."

According to Trout's criminal history information record, obtained from the Criminal Justice Information Center, Trout pleaded guilty to several marijuana possession charges in Livonia in 2011 and 2012 and was sentenced to 60 days in jail for a misdemeanor assault charge in 2011.

In 2019, he was sentenced to a year's incarceration for resisting or assaulting a police officer during a traffic stop in Washtenaw County.

Criminal records from the Michigan State Police do not include juvenile records or some adult offenses.

Trout's attorney could not be reached for comment.

Pavelka's criminal record includes only the charge of felony murder related to her daughter's death.

'DIFFERENT WORRIES UP HERE'

Agreeing with other residents, Simpson said she thinks Trout lived in the former home of his grandparents, long-time and respected Glennie residents.

In Glennie, Simpson's child can safely play outside in summer and wait alone at the bus stop, despite the recent murder and other crimes in town, Simpson said.

In big cities downstate, residents worry about shootings and trafficking, she said.

"Here, not so much," the small-town resident said. "We have different worries up here."

The store was robbed a few years ago, she said.

Police recently performed a drug bust at a nearby vacant school building, confirmed Alcona County Undersheriff Keith Myers.

He hasn't noticed an increase in crime in Curtis Township, in which Glennie is located, in recent years, Myers said.

'LAWLESS'

At the Glennie Tavern -- where an employee said Trout wasn't allowed to enter because of some trouble he'd caused at a business up the street -- several locals picking up food discussed other recent acts of violence in the town.

In July, a jury found Aaron Warren Jr. guilty of assault with intent to do great bodily harm during an altercation outside the Glennie Party Store in 2021, a charge that can carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

On July 9, Glennie resident Evan Whitford was struck by a vehicle and later died from his injuries, according to police, who arrested Jared Staley on a drunk driving charge.

At the tavern on Wednesday, Shelly Wojkiewicz said she moved to Glennie from downstate because it is a peaceful, loving town where the sound of a police siren is rare.

Other newcomers, however, think rural towns are "lawless" and that they can get away with violent behavior, she said.

'ROCKS OUR WORLD'

Those who love the town won't put up with that, and they refuse to be beaten down by the recent violent incidents, said Candace Ford, Wojkiewicz's niece, sitting on "Evan's chair" at the tavern on Wednesday.

The extended family dedicated their annual golf outing to Whitford and are trying to support his family, including wearing rubber bracelets commemorating their friend's life.

That's just what small towns do, Ford said.

At the local Ace Hardware store, employee Tina Morey corrected herself when she said that the "horrific" news of the little girl killed in their midst had beaten the town's residents down.

In small towns, most people know most people, and residents and businesses look out for each other. When bad things happen "it rocks our world," she conceded.

But, she said, even the very bad won't crush small-town folk.

"When devastation arises, it affects many people," she said. "Fortunately, we are strong enough to support each other. Even in our time of greatest need."

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693 or jriddle@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jriddleX.

This story has been edited after Shelly Wojkiewicz clarified a statement about Evan Whitford's death to the News after the publication of this story.

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