Shanteari Young is no longer behind bars.
The former Baltimore daycare owner who shot her husband after learning he was sexually abusing kids at her facility is now staying at a halfway house in Washington, D.C., and she’s finally breaking her silence.
Young had been locked up since 2022, when she confronted her then-husband James Weems, a former Baltimore police officer, over disturbing allegations involving children at Lil Kidz Kastle in Owings Mills. That confrontation ended with her pulling the trigger.
She was sentenced to four years in prison, double the time prosecutors had recommended. The judge’s decision sparked outrage. Many believed Young shouldn’t have been treated like a criminal for confronting someone who harmed innocent children.
Since moving to the halfway house earlier this week, Young told WJZ’s Mike Hellgren that she’s ready to pick up the pieces of her life. She plans to return to Maryland but expects to spend the remainder of her sentence under house arrest until it officially ends in December.
Public reaction was swift and loud when her case first made headlines. Support poured in from across the country, and Young said it helped her get through some of her darkest moments.
“A lot of people wrote to me, and you know I was able to connect with a lot of people,” she said. “I definitely felt the support. I think the support is what kept me sane in prison.”
To those who stood behind her, she had a simple message. “I would just say thank you so much. I really appreciate each and every one of you.”
Young divorced Weems while in custody and legally changed her name. She also testified against him in court. In 2024, he was found guilty of multiple charges, including rape and sexual abuse. He is now serving a life sentence.
With her past behind her and her name officially changed, Shanteari Young is focused on moving forward.
