Cambridge Man Arrested at Middle School on Child Abuse Charges After Alleged Attack on Stepchild

Cambridge, MD - A Cambridge man was arrested Thursday morning at a local middle school after an investigation into an alleged child abuse incident that took place earlier this month.

On May 8, 2026, at approximately 9:37 a.m., a Cambridge Police Department Officer working as the School Resource Officer at Maces Lane Middle School arrested Ja'Shaun Shemor Dockins, 26, of Cambridge. The arrest was made on an active Dorchester County District Court arrest warrant.

Dockins was charged with First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, and Second Degree Child Abuse. He was later released on his personal recognizance.

The charges stem from an incident that was reported to Cambridge Police on May 1, 2026. Officers were notified at around 9:15 a.m. of an alleged child abuse that occurred in the 400 block of Charles Street in Cambridge.

Officers met with the juvenile victim and school officials to gather information about what had happened. According to the victim, the morning started with a verbal altercation involving the victim's sister and their mother.

The victim reported leaving for school following the argument. The victim then told officers that Dockins, who is the victim's stepfather, followed the victim in a vehicle after they left.

According to the victim, Dockins got out of the vehicle and approached the victim. The victim stated that Dockins put his hands on the victim, saying it was because the victim had been disrespectful toward the victim's mother.

The victim reported that Dockins then slammed them onto the vehicle and then to the ground. While on the ground, the victim stated that Dockins began to strangle them.

The victim further reported that Dockins then dragged them to the vehicle. Once inside, the victim stated that Dockins punched them in the face.

Following the investigation, Cambridge Police Officers applied for charges through the Court Commissioner. A warrant was issued for Dockins's arrest, which led to Thursday's arrest at Maces Lane Middle School.

The Cambridge Police Department School Resource Officer handled the investigation from start to arrest.

Disclosure: All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Eastern Shore Undercover® does not express or imply any opinion regarding the incident reported.