Jury Delivers 40-Year Sentence in Montgomery County Child Abuse Case

In a recent court case, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Division Chief Shanna Redwine and Assistant District Attorney Tamara Tyler presented testimony in the State of Texas vs. Shikeith Dwyan Deere. Deere faced a first-degree felony charge of Injury to a Child.

The prosecutors provided evidence that on August 1, 2020, Deere physically abused a three-month-old boy, leading to the child’s hospitalization for a week. The jury was shown evidence of extensive brain trauma and multiple rib fractures suffered by the child as a result of the abuse.

During the trial, prosecutors presented statements from the defendant expressing frustration with the baby’s crying and difficulty in consoling him. Various witnesses, including detectives, deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, a forensic analyst, a doctor from Texas Children’s Hospital, deputies from the Harris County Pct. 4 Constables Office, representatives from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County, and other medical professionals and civilian witnesses, testified to build the case.

On Friday, August 11, 2023, the jury convicted Deere of Injury to a Child. In the subsequent punishment phase, the jury considered Deere’s assaultive behavior while incarcerated in the Montgomery County Jail and his prior criminal history. Assistant District Attorney Tamara Tyler urged jurors to contemplate the severe consequences the child would face in the future due to the injuries inflicted by the defendant.

The jury swiftly returned a verdict of 40 years in the Texas Department of Public Safety-Institutional Division. Deere will not be eligible for parole until serving at least half of his sentence.