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McBride waives her right to hearing in death of her toddler
By Elise Franco
AUSTINTOWN
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Shannon McBride
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Shawn Edward Davis
Shannon McBride’s demeanor during her court appearance was solemn until a family member called out to her from the back of the courtroom.
McBride, 22, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Mahoning County Area Court here on a felony charge of permitting child abuse in the death of her 23-month-old daughter Makenzie McBride.
Makenzie was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital on April 6 with a skull fracture and severe bruising on her face. She died there later that day.
The Summit County Coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide by blunt-force trauma to the head.
McBride quietly told Judge David A. D’Apolito that she understood the charges against her and what it meant to waive her right to a pretrial.
As she was led from the courtroom by Mahoning County deputies, a family member called out, “Shannon we love you,” causing McBride to break down in tears.
Deputies immediately asked the family to “be quiet.”
The family members didn’t wish to make any further comment outside the court.
McBride’s charge was bound over to the county grand jury, and Austintown Detective Sgt. Kathy Dina said she will present the charge to the grand jurors today.
Dina said if the grand jury returns an indictment, the permitting child-abuse charge will be added to a two-charge indictment of aggravated murder and obstructing justice that was handed up April 14.
McBride is in the county jail.
McBride’s live-in boyfriend, Shawn E. Davis, 25, was charged April 7 with aggravated murder and felonious assault in Makenzie’s death.
Davis also was indicted April 14 on a domestic- violence charge and aggravated murder.
He also is in the county jail without bond.
Both McBride and Davis are scheduled for arraignment at 9 a.m. Tuesday in front of Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
They could face the death penalty if convicted in Makenzie’s death, according to the indictment.