BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Bridgeport couple was found guilty in the city on Wednesday of multiple offenses stemming from their reported sexual assaults of a child aged five to seven between Dec. 27, 2017, and Jan. 9, 2020, according to a release Thursday from the state’s Division of Justice.
Prosecutors said that a Superior Court jury found Shaylyn Smith and Zabian Bailey guilty of numerous offenses.
According to the release, Bailey was convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual assault, one count of first-degree sexual assault, one count of attempted risk of injury to a minor, seven counts of risk of injury to a minor and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault.
The release noted that Smith was convicted of first-degree accessory to sexual assault, accessory to risk of injury to a minor and three counts of risk of injury to a minor.
RELATED: Bill to protect kids online, make tech companies accountable for harmful content passes in US Senate
State’s Attorney Joseph Corradino said in the release that his office is committed to protecting the youngest, most vulnerable residents from abuse that “steals their innocence and causes life-changing trauma.”
The jury that convicted the couple consisted of two men and four women. Prosecutors said they deliberated for about a day before returning the verdicts.
“The jury treated this delicate matter with great respect,” Assistant State’s Attorney Candace Solis, who tried the case for the state, said in the release. “They worked conscientiously to return verdicts based on the law and the evidence.”
In the release, Corradino shared words of praise for Solis and Inspector Edward Zack as well as retired Bridgeport Police Det. Walberto Cotto, all of whom he said helped bring the case to a successful end.
“We are fortunate to have experienced investigators and a talented young prosecutor handling these extremely sensitive cases” Corradino said in the release.
According to prosecutors, the state charged Smith and Bailey with multiple counts related to the abuse of a child between ages five and seven, noting that the child first reported the events when she was eight years old.
Following the return of the verdict, the court increased each of the defendant’s bonds by $1 million. Smith was free on bail during the “pendency of the case,” but was taken into custody by judicial marshals after the verdict. Bailey never posted bond and remains in custody.
Smith could go to prison for up to 75 years, prosecutors said, while Bailey faces a term of imprisonment of up to 196 years. Both individuals will be sentenced on Sept. 9.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
