UPDATE 7/22/2026 – Kaylynn N. Moore, 28, of Callaway, and James E. Stone, 27, of Callaway, have both been released on their own recognizance while facing child abuse and neglect charges.
Court records show Moore and Stone were initially ordered held without bond following their arrests on July 20, 2026. During bond review hearings on July 21, 2026, Judge Karen Friedman changed both defendants’ release status to release on recognizance.
Both defendants remain charged in connection with the case.
LEONARDTOWN, Md. – On Monday, July 20, 2026, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 20000 block of Roh Ranch Lane in Callaway for a report of child abuse after a caller stated that a child was being held in a closet.
When deputies arrived, they were given consent to enter the residence and located a closet door secured by a bungee cord. Inside the closet, they found a 4-year-old child. The child was taken for medical evaluation.
A search warrant for the residence was subsequently obtained and served. During the search, deputies reported the closet was in deplorable condition, with no working light, and they did not observe any edible food inside the closet.
As the investigation continued, deputies determined that three adults and five children lived in the home. The four other children in the home did not require medical attention.
The child’s mother, Kaylynn Nicole Moore, 28, told deputies the child was left in the closet daily for approximately 12 hours.
Moore’s boyfriend, James Earl Stone, 27, who also lived in the home, admitted to using the bungee cord to secure the closet door.
As a result of the investigation, Moore and Stone were charged with child abuse and seven counts of child neglect. They were transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown to await bond hearings.
Keep them locked in jail/closet as well for 12 hours. See how they like it. This is insane!
Wtf? Lock them in a closet for 12 hours a day for the length of their sentences and see how they like it.
Are they being kept in total darkness while staying at the ‘St Mary’s Detention Inn’. Seems only fair.
They need to be locked up. What a horrible mother.
Who wants to meet them on release to meet out their punishment? I am in.
I’m with you
crackheads, keep them in prison!
Released on P.R. how can that happen? Shame on whoever allowed that to happen!!
How horrible! Their parent cards should be revoked. Shame on you both!! You don’t deserve to have children!
sounds like me they are going get off lightly.
Why? They don’t deserve to see the light of day much less be able to walk around free!
What about the other children? Were they old enough to know what was going on??
I’m guessing it was one of them who called it in. Purely a guess though.
Why would any judge let them out. They should have been held without bond. The judge needs her head examined