Aberdeen mother charged with murder in death of infant daughter — Crime scene investigation - File Photo.

ABERDEEN, Md. — A 32-year-old mother has been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse in connection with the death of her 5 ½-month-old daughter, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.

The investigation began on December 29, 2024, after Child Protective Services reported a case of suspected child abuse involving an infant at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Detectives learned the baby had been transported to the hospital with severe injuries, including multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds, a fractured leg, and other life-threatening trauma.

Authorities executed a search warrant at the child’s home on the 200 block of Mayberry Drive in Aberdeen, where forensic investigators gathered evidence. Interviews with potential witnesses yielded inconsistent accounts of how the injuries occurred. Detectives eventually determined that the infant’s mother, Maya Dennis, was the sole caregiver at the time the injuries were inflicted.

The child succumbed to her injuries on December 31, 2024. Following the infant’s death, Dennis allegedly made statements admitting responsibility for the fatal injuries, according to police.

Dennis has been taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse. No further details about the investigation or motive have been released.

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