On May 19, 2023, Connor Kelly, age 32, of Berlin, Maryland, was sentenced to 50 years in the Division of Corrections for his conviction on the charges of 1 count of child abuse in the 2nd degree, 3 counts of 2nd degree assault, and 1 count of neglect of a minor. He was found guilty by a jury after a week-long trial in the Worcester County Circuit Court on March 15, 2023. The Honorable Judge Beau H. Oglesby presided over the case and imposed the sentence, which was the maximum sentence allowed by law.
The charges arose out of a call received by the Ocean Pines Police Department on February 15, 2021, regarding a one-month-old male infant who presented with a spiral fracture of the arm at Atlantic General Hospital. Upon further examination by medical staff, it was determined that in addition to the spiral fracture, the infant had suffered from several broken ribs, which were old enough to be already healing. The Ocean Pines Police Department and Child Protective Services jointly investigated this matter and learned that Connor Kelly, the infant’s biological father, had been solely responsible for his care on the days that he suffered the injuries. Investigators also obtained text messages written by Kelly on the dates in question proving that he knew about the child’s injuries and that he attempted to cover them up by providing false information regarding the cause of the injuries to medical personnel.
Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser commended the Ocean Pines Police Department, the CRICKET Center, the Department of Social Services, the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation and Dets. Bailey and Martin for their thorough investigation and thanked Assistant State's Attorneys Pamela Correa and Mary-Ann Burkhart who prosecuted this case.
The mission of the CRICKET Center is to create a community response in which abusers are held accountable and children and families experience hope and healing. The multidisciplinary team is made up of law enforcement officers, child protective service personnel, prosecutors, advocates, mental health therapists and medical personnel. To learn more, or to report suspected child abuse or neglect, please contact 410-641-0097.
