The Vatican is cautiously investigating the miraculous claim of a toddler from Denver, CO. The alleged miracle occurred on Monday evening, November 30 at the residence of Charles Shelton, 2, and his father, Mark Shelton. Charlie, as he is known, was seated in his high chair wearing his "spider" bib finishing the last of his Scooby-Doo branded fruit-flavored snacks. His father was steps away in the kitchen, contemplating Ruth Rikli's recipe for Glenda's Blueberry Yum-Yum from the pages of "Recipes and Remembrances: A collection by the United Methodist Women and their friends".
"I was standing there in the kitchen at the bar when I heard Charlie say, 'That's Jesus!'" A visibly emotional Mark Shelton recounted. "I went over to his high chair to see what he was jabbering about and that's when he handed it (the fruit-flavored snack) to me."
The fruit-flavored snack carrying the likeness of Jesus is produced by the General Mills Corporation. An attorney for General Mills responded by mail to our inquiry, stating: "The General Mills Corporation produces Scooby-Doo fruit-flavored snacks, not the Eucharist. It is Daphne, and not the image of Jesus."
Unmoved in his faith, Shelton, who is Protestant, not a Catholic, contacted the Vatican to have the miracle authenticated by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. A Vatican bishop close to the case says the Shelton fruit snack miracle is being examined but is under scrutiny do to Mark Shelton's request for compensation.
"Generally, the church is quite discerning of frauds and extorters," the Vatican bishop said.
Shelton, who has been a full-time father for a year, has been linked to easy money schemes. Back in August he was seen at the customer service desk at King Soopers grocery store scratching an instant lottery ticket. Close circuit video from the store was obtained and the allegation has been substantiated.
The Vatican bishop added, "but it is plausible that God would chose to work through such a corrupted vessel."
"I know what I saw and my boy did too." Shelton said unwaveringly. "Jesus loves little children. That's why Charlie could see it."
Doubt may cast a shadow over this miracle for some, but that has stopped miracle pilgrims from across the world to visit the divinely formed image at the Shelton home. The holy visage is kept in a Ball jar displayed over the Shelton fireplace and has drawn several thousand visitors. Shelton is accommodating the throngs of peasant believers by offering popcorn for $10 a bag. He is also selling tee shirts.
