A Maryland daycare owner accused of shooting her alleged child molester husband pleaded guilty Monday in D.C. court to gun and assault charges.
According to CBS Baltimore, 50-year-old Shanteari Weems pleaded guilty to “aggravated assault knowingly while armed,” along with carrying a gun outside of a home or business without having a license.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Shanteari Weems’ former husband, James Weems Jr., 57, who retired from Baltimore city police in 2005, has been charged with three counts each of sexual abuse involving a minor, third-degree sexual offense, second-degree sexual offense, and fourth-degree sexual offense, and an additional charge of displaying obscene material to a minor.
Authorities issued an arrest warrant earlier this year for Weems Jr., who was arrested by Metropolitan Police in Washington at the hospital where he was being treated for gunshot wounds. He’s currently in custody and awaiting trial.
Shanteari Weems confronted her husband over the child molestation allegations at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in July 2022. The argument escalated and Weems shot her husband in the head and leg.
According to court documents, Shanteari Weems then barricaded herself in the hotel with her husband when police arrived. She refused to come out, prompting police to enter the room by force. and refused to come out.
She later reportedly told police that some parents at her Maryland daycare, Lil Kidz Kastle, accused her husband of molesting their children. She said she reported the claims to authorities before confronting her husband. Police issued a warrant for James Weems Jr. following the shooting.
Sentencing for Shanteari Weems is scheduled for February 3. Additional charges of possession of a firearm during a crime or violence and resisting arrest are set to be dismissed during sentencing.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
[Featured image: Shanteari Weems/Lil Kidz Kastle]
Additional reporting by KC Wildmoon
