A woman has admitted guilt in a disturbing child sex abuse case where authorities found disturbing videos at her residence, including instances of bestiality.
Last July, detectives were informed by the Ohio Crimes Against Children Task Force about potential child exploitation at the home of Shawna Mayfield, 28, and Justin Mayfield, 37. Upon searching the property, law enforcement discovered that Mayfield possessed materials related to child sexual abuse, which she had distributed, created, and replicated.
Described as overwhelming evidence against the couple, video footage revealed Mrs. Mayfield engaging in sexual abuse with a four-year-old child, and both Mayfields coercing another child into adult activities. Correspondence between the Mayfields exhibited them bragging about exchanging child abuse videos, while additional footage depicted Mrs. Mayfield performing a sexual act on the family dog in May 2025, as per an indictment disclosed by WFMJ.
WKBN reported that Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Gabe Wildman stated, “Additionally, the state discovered videos of the defendant engaging in sexual acts with an animal, specifically a dog. Furthermore, during the search, the defendant and her partner were found to have exceeded the legal limits with a marijuana grow on the premises.”
On January 7, Mrs. Mayfield, facing charges of pandering sexually explicit material involving a minor, rape, sexual conduct with an animal, and child endangerment, changed her plea to guilty. As part of the plea agreement, Mrs. Mayfield, from Warren, Ohio, agreed to collaborate with authorities and testify against her husband in return for a recommended prison sentence of 30 years to life. Sentencing will occur at a later date.
Mrs. Mayfield, with no prior criminal record according to the Tribune Chronicle, provided a “proffer on the record” regarding her testimony. Failure to cooperate would nullify the plea agreement, leading to potential conviction on all charges, including those to be dismissed under the deal.
Her rape convictions indicated involvement in criminal acts from June 2023 to August 2025. Each count of rape she pleaded guilty to carries a sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment, while sexual conduct with an animal is considered a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
Mr. Mayfield faces multiple rape charges, disseminating harmful material to minors, and endangering children. Prosecutors offered him a 50-year to life sentence in exchange for a plea deal, which his attorney is contesting.
Attorney Brendan Keating argued, “It’s more aligned with what the co-defendant wife is receiving, who, I might add, is charged with more offenses in the indictment. It’s a longer sentence but less than 50-to-life, so we request the state to consider this.”
Mr. Mayfield is set to appear in court on Monday, January 12, with his trial scheduled to commence later in the month.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault, support and resources are available via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or by calling the national helpline at 0808 802 9999.