Judge Grants Release to Accused Child Abuser Shot by Wife, Shanteari Weems
A judge ruled on Tuesday that James Weems Jr., who was shot by his wife after he allegedly sexually abused children at her daycare in Baltimore County, can be released on home detention pending trial.
Although Weems is still being held without bail, he is now under "Level 3 Home Detention." The judge ordered him to stay away from any minors, witnesses, or victims.
Document Women earlier reported that a grand jury indicted the 57-year-old, a former Baltimore City police officer, on 21 charges related to abuse allegations from at least three victims at his wife's daycare, "Lil Kidz Kastle," in Owings Mills. He worked there as a bus driver.
On May 6, 2024, Weems' trial is set to begin.
In 2022, Weems was charged with displaying obscene material to a kid and three counts of sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree assault, third-degree sex offense, and fourth-degree sexual contact.
After learning of the allegations, Shanteeri Weems shot her husband in a Washington, DC, hotel room. She was then given a four-year prison sentence.
According to charging documents obtained by WJZ, the investigation into James Weems began on July 3, 2022, when parents reported to police that their daughter, then 10 years old, told them "Mr James" showed her pornography on a daycare bus and that he touched her inappropriately at the facility's playground.
Weems' cell phone was taken during the execution of a search and seizure warrant on July 18, 2022. According to the charges, the police were able to verify the 10-year-old girl's story by searching Weems's internet history.
On July 21, 2022, a 7-year-old boy who attended the daycare stated he was touched inappropriately by Weems, prompting an investigation by the Department of Social Services. The suspect has been narrowed down to Weems by the investigators.
The documents state that on July 23, 2022, police responded to a report of a sexual assault that had occurred in the past. Their daughter, aged 12, allegedly informed them that "Mr. James" had touched her in a "very inappropriate way." According to the criminal paperwork, the girl informed police that "Mr. James" also requested her to take explicit images of herself, but she refused.
Weems is a Marine veteran and former member of the Baltimore Police Department. He retired in 2005.