Devon Sample, Charged In Murder Of Pregnant Woman And Her 3-Year-Old Daughter, Held Without Bail
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Devon Sample, the 24-year-old man charged in the death of Shiand Miller and her three-year-old daughter Shaniya Gilmore, was held without bail.
Sample had a bail review hearing Monday morning where, through his public defender, he proclaimed his innocence. He was taken into custody shortly after the bodies of the woman and toddler were discovered inside a car Friday in the 200 block of Boswell Street in southwest Baltimore.
Sample, of the 4800 block of Melbourne Road, is charged with first-degree murder in the case. Miller was eight months pregnant and Sample is the father of her unborn baby.
"Her and her new baby's father had been arguing," Milton Johnson, the toddler's great-grandfather, said.
Police found Sample with records showing he had been pulled over last month in the same car Shiand and Shaniya were found dead in.
Sample is charged with 16 counts including first-degree murder.
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Another charge being brought against Sample is under a new law called Laura and Reid's Law, designed to protect pregnant women.
"This law... is to protect pregnant women who statistically are much more vulnerable and much more likely to face abusive situations," state Sen. Justin Ready (R-Carroll County), who sponsored the bill, said.
Family members of Laura Wallen, a pregnant Howard County teacher killed in 2017 by the father of her unborn baby, fought for the law to be passed.
Now, the family of Gilmore and Miller are feeling the same pain. On Sunday, they held a vigil at the scene where the bodies were found.
"She wanted to be a hairstylist, she was a princess. My grandbaby Niya, very playful, always a smile," Sheree Reid, Shiand's mother said.
Police searched their woods for any additional evidence Monday, steps from where mother and daughter were killed.
Detectives are still seeking assistance from neighbors as they try to determine what led to the shooting. To reach them, call 410-396-2100.
Family members have also set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to cover funeral expenses.