STX Woman Arrested for Burning Her Child’s Hand
- Mark Dworkin
- Oct 1
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 2
A.J. Pike
St. Croix - On September 28, 2025, at around 4:28 pm, the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call regarding a juvenile victim with burns on his right hand.
A Detective from the Criminal Investigation Bureau was assigned to investigate the incident. The investigation revealed that the suspect, Shelva Smith, held the victim’s hand, her 12-year old son, over a hot gas burner stove, causing second degree burns on his right hand apparently to teach him a lesson for stealing a piece of jewelry. The burns were serious enough that the boy needed off-island treatment at a hospital with a dedicated burn unit.
Ms. Shelva Smith was present at the Wilbur Francis Command Police Station where she provided a statement and was placed under arrest for Child Abuse, Third-degree Assault and Simple Assault and Battery. Her bail was set at $60,000. Unable to make bail, she was booked and transported to the John Bell Correctional Facility pending her Advice of Rights Hearing.
