Woman charged with child pornography escapes jail time 

Shania Welch who has admitted to making child pornography using a Dove deodorant spray has escaped jail time.  High Court Judge Justice Nigel Pilgrim today carefully scrutinized the terms of a plea agreement before accepting a guilty plea from Welch. The judge emphasized that while the court can accept or reject a guilty plea, any offense involving a child is “very serious” and requires the court’s full consideration of the public interest.  Justice Pilgrim noted that both the victim and the defendant were extremely young at the time of the incident, describing the act as “a very stupid act” committed against a very vulnerable child. He highlighted that the victim’s family, according to the victim impact statement, wants justice but also hopes for Welch’s rehabilitation due to her young age.  The DPP’s Crown Counsel Maria Santana-Nembhard, made it a point to explain that the plea agreement was crafted in the interest of justice. She cited several factors behind the agreement, including the nature and seriousness of the offenses; the age of the victim; Welch’s acceptance of responsibility; her potential for rehabilitation, and most importantly, sparing the child from having to relive the trauma by testifying in court.  Santana-Nembhard confirmed that the agreement was reached after full consultation with the victim’s family.  In the victim impact statement, the child’s mother, whose daughter is now 11, told the court that she felt deeply hurt and betrayed by the assault. She expressed that her primary concern is protecting her daughter from further trauma, while also acknowledging that she hopes Welch receives the help she needs.  As part of the plea agreement, the Crown recommended that Welch be sentenced to five months, 24 days imprisonment, reflecting the exact time she has already served on remand. Additional conditions include eight counseling sessions through the Human Services Department, two in Belize City and six conducted virtually, and a written letter of apology to the child.  Justice Pilgrim extended Welch’s bail, which had been granted since December 2024, and adjourned the matter to November 28, to finalize the details of the counseling program.  Welch was represented by attorney Nadia Myles-Espat.  The backdrop to the story is that sometime between New Year’s Eve 2020 and New Year’s Day 2021, Welch forced the child to use the aerosol spray for Welch’s sexual gratification.  The child complied out of fear of being punished.  The incident was caught on camera and ended up viral on social media.  At the time of the incident, the child was visiting Welch’s home in Dangriga.