Tag Archives: 2020

TWO SENTENCED IN FELONY CHILD ABUSE CASE

DATE: December 16, 2024
RE: State v. Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison

On Monday, June 17, 2024, Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison pled guilty to First Degree Child Abuse before the Honorable Judge Mickey Norman in the Circuit Court for Harford County. Harrison was sentenced that day to twenty years suspending all but fifteen years to serve. On Monday, December 16, 2024, Slaseman was sentenced, also receiving twenty years suspending all but fifteen years to serve.

Facts presented in support of the plea showed that on January 2, 2020, a seven-month-old child was taken to Johns Hopkins in cardiac arrest. The child was suffering from severe malnutrition, weighing less than eight pounds. Authorities immediately began an investigation focusing on the birth parents, Seth Slaseman and Jane Harrison. Doctors kept the child at the hospital and determined that the child was not given adequate access to food. In less than four weeks, the child gained three pounds with regular and appropriate nutrition. After a series of delays in the case, several attributable to COVID and at least one due to each defendant’s failure to appear, both defendants entered guilty pleas to First Degree Child Abuse. The victim’s adoptive mother was present at both sentencing hearings and provided a statement to the Court, noting that the child who has now been entrusted to her care is thriving and is a light in her family’s life.

Following the sentencing, State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey issued the following comment: “I’m thankful today that this story has a happy ending, an ending where this innocent child is thriving, loved, and no longer suffering at the hands of her abusers. All the work we do is important, but in cases such as this, it is truly life changing. I’m so grateful for the incredible team of medical personnel, law enforcement, advocates, and prosecutors who stepped in to fight for this child and to ensure her safety, health, and growth moving forward.”

State’s Attorney Healey further expressed her gratitude to Assistant State’s Attorneys Jason Allen and Becky Malkowski for their tireless efforts in seeking justice for this child. She also thanks Harford County Sheriff’s Office Detective Dix, Department of Social Services Worker Kansler, and all of the dedicated staff of the Harford County Child Advocacy Center for the incredible work they do each day to protect our county’s most vulnerable victims, our children.

Harford County Man Convicted Of Multiple Attempted First Degree Charges After Firing 200 Rounds At Sheriff’s Deputies And Injuring Neighbor

DATE: August 20, 2021
RE: Conviction of Benjamin Murdy

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced that following a four-day bench trial in front of the Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney, Benjamin Murdy, 45, from Street, Maryland, has been convicted of five individual counts of attempted first degree murder and related charges as well as animal cruelty. The conviction follows a violent incident wherein Mr. Murdy fired approximately 200 rounds at Harford County Sheriff’s Deputies. Sentencing has been set for December 6, 2021.

On January 21, 2020, at approximately 6:52 p.m., Corporal Brian Wyzga, Senior Deputy Jason Flemmens, Deputy Nathan Schnitzlein and Deputy Nicholas Lastner from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of 4509 Oak Ridge Drive, in Street, Maryland for a report that Benjamin Murdy had shot the family dog and was in the house with the gun.

As the deputies moved towards the house, Mr. Murdy started shooting at them. The deputies took cover at various locations in the neighborhood, however, Mr. Murdy continued to fire shots at them for approximately 60 minutes. The deputies did not return fire. During the course of the encounter, Mr. Murdy shot Mr. Robert Schell, a neighbor across the street from the house, in the leg and groin as a well as a patrol vehicle and truck.

Mr. Murdy then finally surrendered to the deputies. A search of his house resulted in the recovery of an AR-15 and a .40 caliber handgun. Casings and ammunition were also recovered. There were three fired casings in the backyard and 195 fired casings in the driveway. During the course of the search, the deputies also discovered Cora, the family dog, tied to the deck and shot multiple times.

During an interview, Mr. Murdy admitted shooting the dog because it would not stop barking. He further stated that he intended to kill the deputies as they approached the house.

“As this prosecution and today’s ruling confirms, we are committed to holding accountable individuals who commit senseless violence towards the citizens of Harford County and our law enforcement partners,” said Mr. Peisinger. Mr. Peisinger further stated: “This case is a stark reminder that law enforcement face extremely dangerous situations while keeping our communities safe. These deputies deliberately and selflessly put themselves in harms way to contain what could have been a very tragic situation. I applaud their actions and sincerely hope that Mr. Schell makes a full recovery.”

Mr. Peisinger further thanked all responding Harford County Sheriff’s deputies and emergency response personnel for their response and investigation and Assistant State’s Attorney Charles Fitzpatrick for his advocacy that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Murdy.

Jury Finds Edgewood Man Guilty of Sex Abuse of a Minor

DATE: May 28, 2021
RE: Conviction of Williams Reina Diaz

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Williams Reina Diaz, 27, from Edgewood, Maryland, for sex abuse of a minor.

On January 6, 2020, deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 15 year old victim’s home for the report of a sexual assault. The resulting investigation by the Maryland State Police and the Harford County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) revealed that earlier that morning, Mr. Reina Diaz sexually assaulted the victim while she was sleeping.

Mr. Reina Diaz was convicted by a jury on May 24, 2021. The presiding judge was the Honorable Angela M.Eaves. Deputy State’s Attorney Gavin Patashnick prosecuted this matter. Sentencing for Mr. Reina Diaz is scheduled for July 20, 2021. Mr. Reina Diaz faces a maximum penalty of 25 years.

Mr. Peisinger thanked the jurors who deliberated the case. He also commended the Maryland State Police, all of the partners of the Harford County CAC, and Deputy State’s Attorney Gavin Patashnick for their joint effort that resulted in the arrest and conviction of Reina Diaz.

Abingdon Resident Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Minor Following Disclosure by Adult Survivor

DATE: May 28, 2021
RE: Conviction of Steven Gross

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Steven Gross, 49 of Abingdon, Maryland, for sex abuse of a minor.

Gross was convicted on May 10, 2021 by way of a plea. The case began during the summer of 2020 when the victim, who is now an adult, went to the Maryland State Police Barracks to report that she suffered past child sex abuse by Steven Gross. The victim detailed that Mr. Gross started sexually abusing her when she was six years of age and continued for several years. He threatened her on regular basis should she should ever disclose what he was doing. It wasn’t until the victim reached adulthood that she felt safe and disclosed.

The Honorable Kevin J. Mahoney imposed a total sentence of 25 years suspend all but 10 years incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections. The Defendant will be on five (5) years of supervised probation when he is released and will submit to lifetime sex offender registration.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Tabone who prosecuted this matter and commended the Maryland State Police and all partners of Harford County Child Advocacy Center for their hard work and dedication in conducting the investigation that resulted in the arrest and conviction of Gross.

Aberdeen Man Convicted of Robbery

DATE: May 28, 2021
RE: Conviction of Wardell Walton

(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the conviction of Wardell Walton, 34, Aberdeen, Maryland, for robbery.

Walton was convicted on April 26, 2021 by way of a guilty plea. The case began when on October 2, 2020, Aberdeen Police Officers responded to a group home and met with the victim who reported that he opened his door to walk to the communal bathroom where he was confronted by Wardell Walton. Walton then forced the victim back into his apartment, punching and striking him repeatedly in the face. Walton attempted to grab the victim’s wallet from his pants, knocking him to the bed, biting his hand, and ripping his pocket. Walton fled with the victim’s wallet, containing $4,700 in cash.

The Honorable Yolanda L. Curtin imposed a total sentence of 15 years suspend all but 8 years incarceration to be served at the Division of Corrections. The Defendant will be on three (3) years of supervised probation when he is released.

Mr. Peisinger thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Allen who prosecuted this matter and commended the Aberdeen Police Department for their hard work and dedication in conducting the investigation that resulted in the arrest and conviction of Walton.