HAMPSTEAD, Md. (Sept. 6, 2013)—After a grand jury indictment, Maryland State Police investigators from the Homicide Unit, assisted by deputies from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a Carroll County mother today for the death of her child.
The accused is identified as Paula Jane Shipley, 46, of the 1700 block of Mar Sue Drive in Hampstead, Maryland. Shipley was indicted for second degree murder, first degree child abuse leading to death, manslaughter, neglect of a minor and reckless endangerment.
The victim is identified as Cassandra Jane Shipley, 4, of the 100 block of Houck Road in Westminster, where she was living with her parents at the time of the incident. Autopsy results revealed Cassandra Shipley died of a lethal dose of various narcotic drugs. Over the counter medications were also discovered in her system.
At 9:40 a.m. this morning, Paula Shipley was arrested without incident at her current residence in Hampstead, Maryland. She is being held at the Carroll County Detention Center where she currently awaits a bond hearing.
On March 21, 2013, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to assist emergency medical service personnel with a four year child, Cassandra Jane, in cardiac arrest at the 100 block of Houck Road in Westminster. The child was transported to Carroll Hospital Center where she was pronounced dead.
Assistance of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was requested. An immediate investigation into the death of Cassandra Jane was initiated with the assistance of criminal investigators from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.
On September 5, 2013, Paula Jane Shipley was indicted by the Carroll County Grand Jury. Today, Shipley was arrested and taken into police custody.
Source: Maryland State Police HQ