State of Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice
08/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/01/2024 14:21
Jury Finds Bridgeport Couple Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Child
Press Releases
08/01/2024
Jury Finds Bridgeport Couple Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Child
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Bridgeport, CT) - Bridgeport Judicial District State's Attorney Joseph T. Corradino announced today that a Superior Court jury on July 31, 2024 convicted Shaylyn Smith and Zabian Bailey of multiple offenses arising out of sexual assaults on a child from December 27, 2017 through January 9, 2020.
Smith was convicted of Accessory to Sexual Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-8(a) and§ 53a-70(a)(2), Accessory to Risk of Injury to a Minor in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-8(a) and § 53-21(a)(2), and three counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53-21(a)(1).
Bailey was convicted of two counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-70(a)(2), one count of Attempted Sexual Assault in the First Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes §53a-49 and § 53a-70(a)(2), one count of Attempted Risk of Injury to a Minor in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-49 and §53-21(a)(2), seven counts of Risk of Injury to a Minor in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-21, and one count of Sexual Assault in the Fourth Degree in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-73a(a)(1)(A).
"This office is committed to protecting the youngest and most vulnerable among us from abuse that steals their innocence and causes life-changing trauma," State's Attorney Corradino said.
The jury of two men and four women deliberated approximately one day before returning the verdicts. "The jury treated this delicate matter with great respect," said Assistant State's Attorney Candace Solis, who tried the case for the state. "They worked conscientiously to return verdicts based on the law and the evidence."
Corradino praised Assistant State's Attorney Solis as well as Inspector Edward Zack and retired Bridgeport Police Detective Walberto Cotto for bringing the case to a successful conclusion.
"We are fortunate to have experienced investigators and a talented young prosecutor handling these extremely sensitive cases," State's Attorney Corradino said.
The state charged the defendants with multiple counts related to the abuse of a child between the ages of 5 and 7. The child first disclosed these events when she was 8 years old.
The court increased each of the defendant's bonds by $1 million after the verdict was returned. Smith, who was free on bail during the pendency of the case, was taken into custody by judicial marshals, while Bailey had not posted bond.
Smith faces up to 75 years in prison and Bailey faces up to 196 years of incarceration when they are sentenced by Judge Robin Pavia on September 9, 2024.