Former police officer gets life for sexually abusing girl at his wife’s day care center

BALTIMORE (TCN) -- A retired Baltimore Police Department officer will spend the rest of his life behind bars for sexually abusing multiple children at his ex-wife’s day care center, which led to his estranged wife shooting him.

Court records show James Weems was convicted in November of three counts of sexual abuse of a minor, two counts of second-degree rape, and one count of displaying obscene materials to a minor. WUSA-TV reports those charges relate to his actions against a 10-year-old girl, though he is accused of sexually abusing three other children as well. Records indicate he was charged with 33 counts total.

In July 2022, Washington Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a shooting call and found Weems suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Officers arrested his wife, Shanteari Weems, for assault with intent to kill. Four days later, Baltimore County Police issued a warrant for James Weems' arrest, alleging he "sexually abused at least three children while working at a day care facility located in Owings Mills." The facility was reportedly owned and operated by Shanteari Weems.

According to WUSA, James Weems worked as a van driver for the day care center. He reportedly showed the 10-year-old girl porn in the van, where he assaulted her. He reportedly claimed he did not have any type of inappropriate relationship with her. Shanteari Weems, who is serving time after she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and carrying a pistol without a license, testified at her estranged husband’s trial and said the 10-year-old victim had developmental delays. She said Weems called the victim his "little buddy" and "my little helper."

WUSA reports Weems served in the U.S. Marine Corps and Maryland Army National Guard prior to working for the Baltimore Police Department.

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