On Jan. 8, at approximately 1:15 a.m., deputies responded to St. Mary’s Hospital for a report of a missing two-year-old.
Katrena Marie Shearer, 32 of Mechanicsville, advised hospital staff she brought her two-year-old child with her to the hospital as she (Ms. Shearer) was seeking treatment. Shearer stated her child was now missing. Hospital staff immediately called the Sheriff’s Office to report the child missing. When deputies interviewed Shearer she changed her story multiple times. Hospital staff had not observed Shearer enter the hospital with a child. The hospital video surveillance was reviewed which did not record the child entering the hospital.
A missing person’s investigation was initiated and numerous police officers, fire, EMS and K-9 units conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area. Maryland State Police, Trooper 7, helicopter was dispatched and also checked the area surrounding the hospital for the missing child.
In addition, deputies responded to and checked all known addresses (including requesting assistance from the Prince George’s County Police Department to check an address in Prince George’s County) for Shearer and the child, all yielding negative results.
A missing persons report was completed, lookout for the child was broadcasted and assistance from Child Protective Services was requested.
Shearer was re-interviewed. Shearer changed her story once again and stated she never told hospital staff she had her child with her when she came to the hospital.
On Jan. 8, at approximately 3:45 a.m., the child was located at a residence in Mechanicsville, the reported residence of Shearer’s boyfriend, and the residence where Shearer had left the child earlier.
Katrena Shearer’s false report caused a missing persons investigation to be initiated which lasted for several hours and tied up 13 police officers, a MSP helicopter and a K-9 unit. Shearer was charged with false report to a police officer.