Diandra Noel Ward
Prince Frederick, MD – A Calvert County woman was handed a 20-year sentence in Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 11 in connection with a child abuse incident that occurred in April of 2016. The defendant, Diandra Noel Ward, 32 of Owings, was found guilty of first-and second-degree child abuse during a jury trial back in May. The victim, a 3-month-old child, sustained a life-threatening brain injury that required emergency surgery. Ward was the child’s daycare provider when the alleged incident occurred.
The Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office stated that it was the opinion of four medical experts from Children’s Hospital that “the victim suffered from non-accidental abusive head trauma caused by a shaking mechanism.
Judge Mark Chandlee sentenced Ward to 25 years for the charge of first-degree child abuse, severe physical injury and suspended five of those years. The second-degree child abuse, custody charged with merged with the higher degree felony charge. When she is released from prison, Ward will be subject to five years of supervised probation. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered after Ward’s trial and in September a judge ordered that Ward undergo a psychological evaluation.
The case was prosecuted by Calvert County Deputy State’s Attorney Kathryn A. Marsh. Ward was represented by attorney Thomas C. Mooney.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com