STORY COUNY, IA - A mother who claimed she didn't know how her seven-month-old child was fatally injured has been found guilty of the baby's murder.
The mother, 26-year-old Sheyenne Shore, was found guilty of first-degree murder and child endangerment in connection with the 2023 death of her seven-month-old baby Xena, Law & Crime reported. Shore was charged along with the baby's father, 37-year-old Juan Montalvo Jr., who pleaded guilty to child endangerment in February 2025.
According to a criminal complaint, Shore brought Xena to Story County Medical Center on June 11, 2023, where medical staff said the baby was already cold and stiff, her pupils "dilated and fixed." Xena was pronounced dead after lifesaving measures failed.
Xena arrived at the hospital with cuts and bruises on her face and torso, a broken wrist, and hemorrhaging in her right eye and liver, the complaint stated. Medical staff also noted that the baby was healing from past fractures to both of her arms and her femur.
When questioned by police about how Xena got her injuries, Shore told them that the little girl "hit her head on baby toys while doing tummy time." Montalvo reportedly told the same story. Both parents denied knowing how the infant received her other injuries.
The medical examiner determined that Xena's head injuries were not the result of an accident and ruled her death a homicide. When executing a search on the home, investigators found bloodstained blankets and baby clothes.
Police said that Shore told them that she had not left Xena alone or with anyone else during the last three days of her life, but surveillance video and store receipts proved that Shore left her apartment without Xena to go shopping on June 11, 2023, around 11:00 a.m.
Montalvo was in another part of the town that day. According to the complaint, Shore texted Montalvo several times starting at 3:10 p.m., telling him that Xena was unresponsive and she was taking her to the hospital. He did not respond until 3:46 p.m., and the couple had a short phone call. At 3:59 p.m., Shore texted Montalvo, "She's gone they tried everything they could."
An acquaintance of Montalvo said he texted to say he was going to the hospital because his daughter hit her head. Around 6:00 p.m., Montalvo told the acquaintance that he would be back at work by 7:00 p.m.
After the infant's death, Shore and Montalvo fled to California, where they were arrested after being charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment. Montalvo pleaded guilty to an amended count of child endangerment causing serious injury on February 25, 2025, and was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence not exceeding 10 years in prison.
Shore was found guilty of first-degree murder and child endangerment on April 2. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 1.
The mother, 26-year-old Sheyenne Shore, was found guilty of first-degree murder and child endangerment in connection with the 2023 death of her seven-month-old baby Xena, Law & Crime reported. Shore was charged along with the baby's father, 37-year-old Juan Montalvo Jr., who pleaded guilty to child endangerment in February 2025.
According to a criminal complaint, Shore brought Xena to Story County Medical Center on June 11, 2023, where medical staff said the baby was already cold and stiff, her pupils "dilated and fixed." Xena was pronounced dead after lifesaving measures failed.
Xena arrived at the hospital with cuts and bruises on her face and torso, a broken wrist, and hemorrhaging in her right eye and liver, the complaint stated. Medical staff also noted that the baby was healing from past fractures to both of her arms and her femur.
When questioned by police about how Xena got her injuries, Shore told them that the little girl "hit her head on baby toys while doing tummy time." Montalvo reportedly told the same story. Both parents denied knowing how the infant received her other injuries.
The medical examiner determined that Xena's head injuries were not the result of an accident and ruled her death a homicide. When executing a search on the home, investigators found bloodstained blankets and baby clothes.
Police said that Shore told them that she had not left Xena alone or with anyone else during the last three days of her life, but surveillance video and store receipts proved that Shore left her apartment without Xena to go shopping on June 11, 2023, around 11:00 a.m.
Montalvo was in another part of the town that day. According to the complaint, Shore texted Montalvo several times starting at 3:10 p.m., telling him that Xena was unresponsive and she was taking her to the hospital. He did not respond until 3:46 p.m., and the couple had a short phone call. At 3:59 p.m., Shore texted Montalvo, "She's gone they tried everything they could."
An acquaintance of Montalvo said he texted to say he was going to the hospital because his daughter hit her head. Around 6:00 p.m., Montalvo told the acquaintance that he would be back at work by 7:00 p.m.
After the infant's death, Shore and Montalvo fled to California, where they were arrested after being charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment. Montalvo pleaded guilty to an amended count of child endangerment causing serious injury on February 25, 2025, and was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence not exceeding 10 years in prison.
Shore was found guilty of first-degree murder and child endangerment on April 2. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 1.
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