Shanteari Young, the Baltimore daycare owner who shot her husband after learning of child abuse allegations, has been released from prison. She speaks out on her next chapter.
📰 Shanteari Young Released From Prison Following Controversial Sentence
Shanteari Young, the Baltimore County daycare owner whose story sparked national outrage and support, has officially been released from prison.
She is now living in a halfway house in Washington, D.C.
Young served the majority of her four-year sentence.
She was incarcerated after shooting her then-husband, former Baltimore police officer James Weems.
The shooting followed horrifying allegations that Weems had sexually abused children at her daycare, Lil Kidz Kastle.
Now, she’s ready to move forward.
“I’m just looking forward to rebuilding and giving back to the community like I was before,” Young told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren in an exclusive interview.
🔍 Why Shanteari Young Went To Prison
In July 2022, Shanteari confronted her husband while they were staying at a hotel in D.C. during a business trip.
She had just learned that he was being accused of sexually abusing children in her care.
The confrontation turned violent when Young opened fire.
“The one thing I think that we need to know is that sexual abuse is not OK with children,” Young said.
“It has been covered up in the past, and it’s good that it’s getting some notoriety now so we can stop it.”
Despite testifying against her ex-husband in a case that led to his 2024 conviction and life sentence, Shanteari was sentenced to four years in prison—twice the time prosecutors requested.
The decision drew widespread backlash, with supporters around the world calling the punishment too harsh.
💔 A Betrayal And A New Beginning
Young’s ex-husband, James Weems, was ultimately found guilty of rape and child sexual abuse, including the assault of a 10-year-old girl in the daycare’s van.
During the trial, Young was not allowed to mention that she had shot him, but she testified in vivid detail about her emotional state during the confrontation.
“I was overwhelmed, distressed… I had a lot of questions,” she recalled.
Young later divorced Weems and officially changed her last name.
She said the support she received from the public helped her survive the darkest moments of her incarceration.
“I definitely felt the support. I think the support is what kept me sane in prison,” she said. “I really appreciate each and every one of you.”
✊🏽 A Voice For Survivors & A Message Of Hope
Young isn’t looking back with regrets.
She says her focus now is rebuilding, healing, and advocating for children.
“It’s a good thing that we’re able to start helping children and bring more awareness to sexual predators—especially those in positions we once trusted,” she said, alluding to her ex-husband’s former career as a police officer.
Though her sentence officially ends in December and she may still face home confinement, Shanteari Young is hopeful and focused on reclaiming her life in Maryland.
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