Mother's plea deal accepted in death of toddler

Mom to testify against ex-boyfriend at trial

By PETER H. MILLIKEN

milliken@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

An Austintown woman has pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and permitting child abuse in the April 6 death of her 23-month-old daughter.

Shannon McBride, 22, of North Navarre Avenue, entered her plea Friday before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

McBride had been charged in the events leading to the death of her daughter, Makenzie McBride, while she lived in the Compass West apartment complex.

In the plea agreement, an aggravated- murder charge against her and the death-penalty specification accompanying it were dropped, and she agreed to testify truthfully against her co-defendant and former boyfriend, Shawn E. Davis, 25, of Compass West, when he goes on trial Jan. 10, 2011.

Davis is charged in the same indictment with the aggravated murder of the infant with a death-penalty specification and with committing domestic violence against the infant April 5.

Makenzie was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital on April 6 with a skull fracture and severe bruising on her face and died in that hospital later that day. The Summit County coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide by blunt-force trauma to the head.

McBride gave a recorded statement to the prosecution about the crime, known as a proffer, before entering her plea.

Dawn Cantalamessa, an assistant county prosecutor, recommended that McBride be sentenced to eight years in prison and said the prosecution would not object to judicial release at the proper time. McBride’s first eligibility for release would be after she serves 51/2 years, Cantalamessa said.

McBride, who previously had been jailed under $250,000 bond, was released from the county jail Friday on her own recognizance under the conditions that she is to have no contact with Davis and may not leave Mahoning County without the court’s permission.

Her release was jointly recommended by the prosecution and defense.

Cantalamessa said the prosecution recommended her release because she is pregnant and because she has accepted responsibility for her actions by entering the plea agreement.

McBride’s sentencing is being stayed pending Davis’ trial.