A Bedford County mother is charged with murder in connection to Thursday’s death of her two-year-old son. The father is charged with felony child abuse and neglect, and a charge related to meth-amphetamine manufacturing. Shana Marie Witt, 24, and Michael Smith, 25, are being held at the Bedford Adult Detention Center. A five-year-old child the couple has together was not present at the time of the incident. Commonwealth’s Attorney Randy Krantz outlined the charges Friday afternoon.
BEDFORD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PRESS RELEASE
February 28, 2014
On Thursday afternoon at 1:35 p.m., Bedford County 911 dispatchers received a call from 1066 Peaksview Lane, Bedford, Va. The caller advised dispatchers that his 2 year son was unresponsive and not breathing. Bedford County Fire and Rescue units along with Bedford County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. Resuscitation efforts were started at the scene and the child was transported to Bedford County Memorial Hospital, where it was pronounced dead. The victim’s body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke and an autopsy was performed this morning.
Investigators learned that Michael Smith, the father, Shana Witt, the mother, and two children, one 5 years old and the victim resided at the Peaksview Lane residence. The five year old was with a relative and not at the residence when the incident occurred. Micheal and Shana are married.
Last night, Bedford County Sheriff’s investigators charged Shana Marie Witt, age 24, the mother, with first degree murder of the child. The father, Michael Smith, age 25, was also arrested and charged with two counts of felony child abuse and neglect and one count of manufacturing methamphetamines. Both are being held in the Bedford Adult Detention Center on no bond.
