A Lancaster woman who lied about her daughter’s severe burns – and did not seek treatment for the girl - will face felony charges in County Court, a district judge ordered this week.

Shonnea M. Brown, 30, is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault of a child and endangering the welfare of child regarding the Oct. 25, 2019, incident in a Hazel Street apartment.

The infant sustained second- and third-degree burns, which a doctor told police were “non-accidental.” Lancaster city police determined Brown had sole custody of the child when she was burned.

Assistant District Attorney Karen Mansfield presented evidence from a Children & Youth caseworker and a Lancaster city police investigator who testified how the infant sustained burns that caused “significant pain” and potential lifelong hardship.

At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing Wednesday, District Judge Adam Witkonis found enough evidence was presented to hold the four first-degree felonies for disposition in Lancaster County Court.

Brown is presumed innocent. She is at Lancaster County Prison on $2 million bail.

Brown gave doctors and police three different versions of how the infant was burned.

The child sustained burns to the left arm and hand. Brown was told to take the child to a burn center, but she never did.

A week later, the Children & Youth caseworker – after numerous attempts to find the child - took the girl to Lehigh Valley Burn Center.

A doctor there told police “the burn is considered non-accidental.”

Lancaster city police officer Jared Snader filed charges.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright