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Judge Considers Fate of Woman Charged in 4-Year-Old’s Death

Judge Considers Fate of Woman Charged in 4-Year-Old’s Death

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The case of a Maine woman charged in the death of a 4-year-old girl now rests with a judge.

Defense attorneys told the judge Monday that there wasn’t evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to convict Shawna Gatto of inflicting fatal injuries on Kendall Chick in her home in 2017 in Wiscasset. The defense pointed out that Gatto’s boyfriend could have inflicted some of the injuries.

Gatto declined to testify in her own defense Monday. The judge expects to deliver his verdict April 30.

Several witnesses who know Gatto testified she was loving toward Chick. Her ex-husband, Donald Ricker, said she never spanked or hit her or his sons.

Chick was placed in the couple’s care while her mother battled addiction.

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