JOANNE GALE CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE CHILD ABUSE

On November 3, 2011, Joanne Gale, age 45, of Wicomico County, Maryland was convicted by the Honorable W. Newton Jackson, III of two counts of first degree child abuse and related offenses after a two day trial prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney, Jamie Lynn Dykes. During the trial the State argued that Gale caused a three year old child to sustain second degree burns in a hot bath after a potty training incident. The three year old victim was treated initially at Peninsula Regional Medical Center before being transported to Johns Hopkins’ Burn Unit. The State expects sentencing to be held in approximately sixty (60) days.

Wicomico County State’s Attorney, Matthew A. Maciarello, stated the following in regard to the conviction. “We are thankful for this conviction but we are reserving further comment until the Defendant is sentenced by the Court.” Maciarello commended the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and its partners (the Salisbury Police Department, Maryland State Police, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Social Services, and the Life Crisis Center), members of the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Emergency Department, and Johns Hopkins Hospital for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of this case. Mr. Maciarello also thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Dykes who prosecuted this case.