Pittsville Man Gets 35 Years for Child Sex Abuse

Wicomico County, MD - A Pittsville man will spend the next 35 years in prison after being sentenced for sexually abusing two children who were in his care.

Donald Kennedy, 50, received the maximum sentence allowed by law on May 22, 2026. The Honorable Matthew A. Maciarello, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, handed down the sentence.

Kennedy had pleaded guilty on March 27, 2026, to Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Assault in the Second Degree. The charges covered two separate incidents involving two different children.

The first incident took place in 2017, when Kennedy sexually abused a minor who was under his care. The second involved another minor also in his care, whom Kennedy inappropriately touched between 2022 and 2023. That conduct was charged as second-degree assault.

If Kennedy is ever released from prison, he will face lifetime sexual offender supervision. He will also be required to register as a Tier III sexual offender for life.

Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie L. Dykes spoke directly about the impact of the case.

"Those who are in positions of trust and power over children owe them a special duty of protection. Sexual abuse exists as the ultimate betrayal of a child's trust and innocence. The survivors in this case exhibited strength and resilience in disclosing the abuse and assault. Though no sentence will serve to make the survivors in this case whole, I hope the convictions as well as the Court's just sentence has afforded them some peace and closure."

State's Attorney Dykes recognized the law enforcement officers and advocates who worked to bring the case to this point. She commended Detective Sergeant J. Seichepine of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, who served as the lead investigator, along with members of the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Michael Calabrese prosecuted the case and was also recognized by Dykes for his work in seeking justice for the survivors.