A mother is in custody after being charged in the death of her 5 ½-month-old baby girl.

​On December 29, 2024, Detectives assigned to the Harford County Sheriff Office (HCSO) Criminal Investigations Division responded to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Trauma Center after receiving a report from Child Protective Services of suspected child abuse. Upon meeting with medical staff, Detectives learned that the baby had been brought to the hospital, by ambulance, presenting with multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds, a fractured leg, and numerous other life-threatening injuries.

​Sheriff’s Office detectives initiated an investigation into the injuries sustained by the baby. A court ordered search of the child’s home located in the 200 block of Mayberry Drive, in Aberdeen, was conducted by detectives and investigators from the Forensic Services Unit.

Multiple interviews of potential witnesses and suspects were conducted resulting in inconsistent accounts of how the infant victim sustained her injuries. During the investigation, detectives developed information that indicated the mother, identified as Maya Dennis, age 32, had sole care and custody off the child when the injuries were inflicted. As the detectives continued searching for answers, the infant girl died from her injuries on December 31, 2024.

Dennis has been charged with 1st degree murder, 1st degree child abuse, after making statements indicating she was responsible for the now fatal injuries.

​Dennis was arrested without incident by the HCSO Warrant Apprehension Unit while at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Trauma Center and has been transported to the Harford County Detention Center where she is being held awaiting her initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.

​The investigation continues, no further information is being released. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Detective K. Smith at 443-409-3576.