Content warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of child abuse. Please take care while reading.
A 27-year-old mother from Bremerton, Washington, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault of a child after her 8-week-old daughter was hospitalized with severe injuries. Court documents revealed disturbing Facebook messages in which the mother, Shannon McNease, expressed violent thoughts toward her baby.
According to reports, McNease’s infant suffered a brain bleed, 20 rib fractures, and six metaphyseal fractures, a type of bone break that occurs in the wide, flared portion of a long bone, all consistent with non-accidental trauma. Medical professionals observed that the brain bleed was consistent with shaking an infant.
McNease’s alarming Facebook messages
According to court documents, McNease allegedly wrote to a Facebook friend, “I can’t stand her dude,” referring to her infant daughter. In another message, she reportedly stated, “Like I legit want to shake her to death or throw her on top of the floor so hard she dies,” describing intense stress caused by her daughter’s incessant crying.
According to Seattle news outlet KIRO, McNease also wrote, “[She] is the realest and truest love of my life. I adore her down to her bones. I really do. I love her so f—ing much. And when she’s not crying and screaming, she’s blissful as f—. She has the most beautiful, gentle, soulful eyes. She’s so f—ing sweet.”
One social media comment noted, “As usual with cases like this, I will give her a benefit of a doubt suggesting a postpartum psychosis. But while it may explain things it will not excuse or justify them. She cannot see the baby for a while unless completion of treatment, for sure.”
McNease’s arrest
Both McNease and the baby’s father denied any abuse, instead attributing the injuries to an accidental fall and an incident involving their cat. McNease was arrested on September 4, 2025, following a warrant issued by the Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Despite the injuries, the infant survived and is now in the care of other family members.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
