A Baltimore woman was sentenced to 48 months in jail on Friday after she reportedly shot her husband in July 2022 over allegations of child sex crimes.
Shanteari Weems, 50, allegedly shot her husband, James Weems, on July, 21. at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. after confronting him about child molestation allegations, officials said.
James Weems was accused of sexually abusing at least three children at Ms. Weems' daycare center "Lil Kids Kastle Development Center" in Owings Mills.
Police said Shanteari Weems shot her husband in the neck and the left leg. After the shooting, Weems barricaded the hotel room by placing her back against the door, preventing officers from coming inside. After approximately 25 minutes, officers forced entry and arrested her.
Originally, Shanteari Weems' lawyer Tony Garcia argued that the shooting was a case of self-defense. However, D.C. police said they found handwritten notes by Shanteari Weems that prove premeditation.
As a result, Shanteari Weems pleaded guilty on November 28, 2022, to one count of aggravated assault and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. According to court documents, a D.C. judge accepted the plea and sentenced her to 48 months in jail for the aggravated assault. Following her release, Weems will be placed on 24 months of supervised probation for the count of carrying a pistol without a license.
James Weems is a former Baltimore City police officer. He was hired in 1996 and retired in 2005 but continued to work as a contract specialist until 2008, the department said. He is now being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center in Towson.