Transients Arrested On Child Abuse Charges

Sonora, CA — A pair of transients, 29 year old Jeremiah James Donovan and 25 year old Shawna Marie Alexander, has been arrested and booked into the County Jail on multiple charges.

On August 6 Sonora Regional Medical Center staff reported treating a six year old boy who had injuries consistent with child abuse to the Sheriff’s Office.

Child Welfare Services also took Alexander’s two year old son into custody after determining that he had also been abused.

Thursday Alexander was arrested in her vehicle at their campsite on Italian Bar Rd. outside Columbia. Donovan was arrested while panning for gold. He was in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun.

Alexander was booked on felony child abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. Donovan was booked on felony child abuse, a felon in possession of a loaded handgun and a felon in possession of ammunition.

Alexander is the biological mother of the two children while Donovan is Alexander’s boyfriend.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com