Woman receives no jail time from New Kent Circuit Court on reduced charge

A woman will serve no active time in jail after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor accessory after the fact to cocaine (originally possession of cocaine).

Shannon Inez Shelton, 38 (address unknown), entered the plea during May 18 proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

In a summary of evidence, last Oct. 5, New Kent Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a distress call on Farmers Drive concerning three missing children. The caller, Shelton, said she went out of town and left the kids with a babysitter and returned home to find them missing. While speaking to deputies, she had a medical issue, resulting in emergency personnel checking on her health.

Deputies began to inspect the home for both the kids and medical information about Shelton’s health. Upon an investigation, they found a tin can with holes punched in it that contained white residue. The substance was field tested, with the result returning positive for cocaine. When questioned, Shelton denied any knowledge of the substance.

Under the agreement, she received 12 months in jail with all suspended. Shelton’s children were picked up by their father according to the summary of evidence.