A Randallstown woman who was arrested and charged with shooting her husband at a Washington, D.C., hotel last week told police that she shot the man over accusations of child molestation at a Baltimore County day care she owns.

(Update: James S. Weems Jr. charged with sexually abusing children)

D.C. Metropolitan police said Friday that Shanteari Weems, 50, has been charged with assault with intent to kill. Weems has also been charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition and carrying a pistol without a license, according to police and court records.

Weems is the owner of Lil Kidz Kastle in Owings Mills, according to documents on the day care’s website and property records. Baltimore County police said they are aware of the case and have closed the day care while they investigate.

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“Baltimore County detectives are currently monitoring the recent developments in Washington D.C. Due to the sensitive circumstances leading up to this incident, the Baltimore County Police Department continues to support the families impacted,” wrote Sgt. Gladys Brown, a public information officer for the Baltimore County Police Department.

A lawyer for Weems declined Sunday to answer questions about the case, including what parents at the day care had been told about the accusations.

(Update: Weems appears in court using wheelchair, will be extradited to Maryland)

On Thursday, police responded to the Mandarin Oriental hotel after getting a report that a man had been shot on the eighth floor. When officers arrived at the room, they began talking with Weems and asking her to open to the door so they could treat the victim.

Weems told police that “he’s a child molester,” according to a police affidavit. After about an hourlong standoff, police moved into the room and detained Weems after the victim told police that he had been shot in the head and leg.

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According to court documents, Weems said during an interview with police that she was married to the victim and that she had received “multiple messages and phone calls from parents and teachers” about molestation at the day care.

Weems told police that she confronted her husband in the hotel room Thursday, which escalated into a heated argument. At one point her husband moved towards her, Weems told police, which is when she pulled her gun from her purse and shot him.

D.C. police also found a notebook in the hotel room with handwritten notes in which the author wrote that they wanted to shoot the victim but not kill him, but maybe cause paralysis, and that they “want these kids to get justice.” The notebook also included an informal will distributing belongings.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday morning.

aaron.wright@thebaltimorebanner.com

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