Reed enters guilty plea in child abuse case

WALLACE –– Accused child abuser Sean Reed admitted guilt on Monday during Shoshone County’s law day proceedings.

Reed, 31, was arrested in June of this year after being kicked out of his former girlfriend’s home – After she had alleged that Reed had been abusing her non-verbal three-year-old son.

Reed was initially charged with six counts of felony injury to a child stemming from three different incidents in April and May of this year.

The victim’s mother reported the incident to law enforcement – first the Kellogg Police Department who was then assisted by the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.

Her shocking report stated that she had noticed some bruising on the child that seemingly appeared overnight and thought it was potentially injuries sustained from sleepwalking. However, after multiple incidents that resulted in severe head trauma, she began keeping a much closer eye on him which led to her filing the report that led to Reed’s arrest.

Felony injury to a child is the most common charge used by the State in child abuse investigations, and each count carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in a state correctional facility and potentially up to $50,000 in fines.

According to Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Allen, unlike most offers which the State extends in criminal cases wherein the State agrees to certain sentencing recommendations, based upon what the State believed was egregious behavior in this case they did not limit the sentencing recommendations at all and will be free to recommend up to the maximum sentence at the time of sentencing.

Allen also explained that due to Reed posting a $100,000 bond early in this case, he has been out on release while the case has been pending.

Allen placed a substantial emphasis on this case, citing the significant amount of responsibility that comes with his office with any child abuse case.

“These types of cases are extremely important as oftentimes the State must act as the voice for children who are unable to protect themselves,” Allen told the News-Press in June. “As such, our office and the investigative agencies involved will continue to give this case utmost priority.”

Reed’s sentencing is scheduled for December 7.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The sentence: "As such, the State sought to have this case get to sentencing as quickly as possible so that Reed can be taken back into custody as part of the sentencing argument." has been removed from the original story.