Seven-month-old Xena Angel Shore was brought to Story County Medical Center by her mother, Sheyenne Shore, on June 11, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m. The baby arrived cold, stiff, and with dilated and fixed pupils; doctors attempted to revive her but were unsuccessful. The Iowa State Medical Examiner determined the baby had suffered multiple non-accidental injuries, including scrapes and bruises on the face, forehead, back, and abdomen, skeletal fractures of her wrist, fractures of both arms and femur in different stages of healing, and hemorrhages of the right eye and liver, along with head injuries consistent with non-accidental trauma. The death was ruled a homicide. Both parents initially claimed the baby had hit her head on toys during tummy time. Blood-stained baby clothes and blankets were found in the couple's apartment. The parents, Sheyenne Shore and Juan Montalvo Jr., fled to California approximately two weeks after the baby's death and were arrested there in September 2023. Montalvo pleaded guilty to child endangerment resulting in serious injury and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Shore was convicted of first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death at trial in April 2026.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Multiple documents describe non-accidental injuries. The KCCI article on charges states the medical examiner found "multiple scrapes and bruises on the face, forehead, back and abdomen, skeletal fractures of her wrist, and hemorrhages of the right eye and liver" and that "findings in the brain and eyes were consistent with non-accidental head injuries." The Ames Tribune similarly describes these injuries and notes "head injuries on the infant were not accidental." The death was ruled a homicide.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The Ames Tribune reports that the baby had "skeletal fractures of her wrist" and that "Both arms and femur were in different stages of healing," indicating prior fractures that were never treated medically. A 7-month-old baby with multiple fractures in various stages of healing that were not brought to medical attention implies a failure to seek necessary medical care for the child's injuries.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The KCCI article on charges states that "the medical examiner also said findings in the brain and eyes were consistent with non-accidental head injuries." The Ames Tribune describes "hemorrhages of the right eye" and injuries to the brain. Brain findings combined with retinal/eye hemorrhages are classic clinical indicators of abusive head trauma. While the specific terms "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma" are not explicitly used, the described findings strongly imply this diagnosis.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Juan Montalvo Jr. is identified as the baby's father across all documents. The Ames Tribune states "Juan A. Montalvo Jr., 36, and Sheyenne N. Shore, 25 are the parents of a 7-month-old infant who died." He pleaded guilty to child endangerment resulting in serious injury and was sentenced to 10 years, confirming his involvement in the child's death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Sheyenne Shore is identified as the baby's mother and "main caregiver" in the Ames Tribune. The KCRG article reports she "was convicted of first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death on April 2." Multiple documents confirm her involvement in the child's death.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Both parents were arrested and charged. The KCCI article on charges states: "Juan Montalvo Jr. and Sheyenne Nicole Shore are both charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death." The Ames Tribune confirms Montalvo Jr. pleaded guilty to child endangerment resulting in serious injury and was sentenced to 10 years. The KCRG article confirms Shore was convicted of first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the documents. The Ames Tribune reports that the couple fled to California approximately two weeks after the baby's death: "Police received a tip that Montalvo Jr. and Shore were in California two weeks after their baby died. It was later determined they were together in Fresno, California, and living with relatives of Montalvo Jr." They were arrested in September 2023 on "unrelated charges." The baby had been isolated in the days before her death — "Police determined that June 8, 2023, was the last time anyone other than the baby's parents had seen her alive." Shore lied to police about not leaving home, but surveillance footage showed she had been out shopping alone. Additionally, Montalvo showed a notable lack of concern, with an acquaintance saying he "said he'd be back at work by 7 p.m." on the day of his daughter's death. There was a significant sentencing disparity between the two parents: Montalvo received 10 years via a plea deal for child endangerment, while Shore was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder at trial.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.