Woman sentenced to 6 months in prison after spraying belligerent child with pepper spray

LA PLATA, Maryland. — Charles County District Attorney Tony Covington announced that on Thursday, August 15, 2024, Charles County District Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced Sabrina Cocheye Embrey, 51, of Waldorf, to 6 months in prison for second-degree child abuse and second-degree assault. Embrey will be on probation for three years upon her release.

On May 16, 2024, a Charles County jury found Embrey guilty of the above charges.

On October 3, 2023, an officer with the Charles County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of domestic violence at a residence in Waldorf. An investigation revealed that Embrey got into a verbal argument with the 12-year-old victim, who lived with her. The argument escalated into Embrey's bedroom and she threatened the victim with pepper spray. The victim left Embrey's bedroom, however, Embrey followed the victim into his bedroom with pepper spray. The victim became belligerent and Embrey sprayed him with pepper spray.

Embrey had previously used pepper spray against the victim during another altercation and was warned by child welfare services not to do so again.

During the sentencing, prosecutor Edward Stickles told the judge, “The State hopes that this never happens again.” Prosecutor Blaec Shaw added that Embrey “clearly provoked the victim throughout the entire incident” and that she “took actions both physically and psychologically that will forever affect [the victim].”

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