Detroit, MI - It was announced Wednesday, January 25, 2023 that prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Shane Robert Shelton, 27, and Valeria Lynn Hamilton, 27, both of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of their five-year-old son, Ethan Belcher, and the non-fatal child abuse of their three-year-old son.
Defendant Hamilton is the biological mother of Ethan and Defendant Shelton is his stepfather.
On January 22, 2023, at approximately 1:07 p.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 14660 block of Spring Garden Street for an unknown problem. Upon their arrival, officers observed medics taking Ethan to an EMS truck. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Later the defendants' three-year-old son was observed at another location suffering from bruising to his head and face. Medics arrived on scene and transported the child to a local hospital for treatment.
It is alleged that the defendants fatally physically abused Ethan and physically abused their three- year-old son.
Shane Robert Shelton and Valeria Lynn Hamilton have both been charged with one count of Felony Murder, two counts of First-Degree Child Abuse, one count of Torture, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Torture. *
"The alleged facts in this case are extremely alarming. The evidence will come out in court," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
They were arraigned this afternoon in 36th District Court and remanded to jail. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for February 1, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for February 8, 2023, at 1:45 p.m., before Judge Kenneth King. Please request a photograph of the defendants from the Detroit Police Department.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.