Jurors are deliberating the fate of a retired officer accused of abusing children at a Baltimore County day care center

BALTIMORE — A jury found a retired Baltimore police officer guilty of sexually abusing a girl at his then-wife's daycare center in Owings Mills, and officers took him into custody Friday night.

He now faces two possible life sentences and was taken to the Baltimore County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail.

“We finally got justice. Take him where he deserves! Lock him up,” supporters of the young victim told WJZ investigator Mike Hellgren outside Towson District Court.

Guilty in every way

The jury found Weems guilty of six counts, including second-degree rape, sexual abuse of a minor and displaying obscene matter to a minor.

The victim, now 12 years old, attended Lil Kidz Kastle, the daycare run by the defendant's ex-wife, Shanteari Weems, in Owings Mills.

He was charged in July 2022.

“We have justice for all babies. The ones we don't know about. The ones we know about. All of them,” said a friend of Shanteari Weems after the verdict.

James Weems, a retired Baltimore police officer, drove the van to the daycare center and admitted to watching pornography while taking the children to school.

But he claimed he never intentionally showed them or touched anyone.

The jury didn't believe it and believed the girl, who burst into tears after her testimony.

“She is incredibly brave…”

“She is loved. She has a lot of support from the families at the daycare center. We all stand by her. We always will,” said a former parent whose child attended Lil Kidz Kastle.

“She is incredibly brave. There are adults who don't have the courage that she has. I am absolutely in awe of her strength,” Baltimore County Prosecutor Zarena Sita told WJZ about the victim. “I think the jury made the right decision in judging what happened to this little girl and I think that sends the message that people are held accountable when something like this happens.”

Prosecutors have charged Weems with abusing other children and may pursue additional charges.

“Our plan at this point is to begin sentencing, see what the sentence is, and make a decision at a later date,” said Baltimore County District Attorney Lisa Dever.

Dever noted that there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and said she asked for a higher sentence because of the victim's age. The victim was 10 years old when the abuse occurred.

Former wife testified

Weems' former wife, Shanteari, also testified.

She shot him in a confrontation at a Washington, D.C. hotel just days after learning of the allegations.

She recently divorced him and changed her name to Shanteari Young. Young continues to serve a four-year sentence in prison.

“I am happy for these children who are getting justice. I thank God because it could have been different,” said Danielle York, a friend of Shanteari.

Hellgren asked how she thought Shanteari would react. “She would curse, but she would also thank God.”

Another friend added: “She would say he is where he should be.”

James Weems appeared to show no visible emotion as the verdict was read.

He will be sentenced in January.