Grandmother of 5-year-old who died on Christmas Eve 2019 indicted for manslaughter

Sherry Connor

Sherry Connor —Courtesy

By JULIE HIRSHAN HART

The Laconia Daily Sun

Published: 08-19-2024 11:14 AM

Sherry Connor has been indicted and arrested on multiple charges in connection with the death of a juvenile in Laconia, on Dec. 24, 2019, police say.

A Belknap County Grand Jury indicted Connor, 61, on charges of manslaughter for recklessly causing the death of the juvenile, according to a media statement from Department of Safety on behalf of State Police Col. Mark Hall, Laconia Police Chief Matt Canfield and Belknap County Attorney Keith Cormier on Aug. 16.

While the statement does not name the victim, Connor's grandson, 5-year-old Dennis "Boo" Vaughan Jr., died at her Blueberry Lane apartment that night in 2019. Vaughan Jr.'s death at the time was ruled a homicide, by blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

The Grand Jury also returned indictments on charges of negligent homicide, six counts of first degree assault, second degree assault and four counts of witness tampering. Connor will appear in Belknap County Superior Court on the charges at a later date. 

An indictment is not an indication of guilt. Rather, it is a finding by a Grand Jury that enough evidence of an alleged crime exists to warrant bringing a case to trial.

Canfield said Saturday a press conference will be held at his department on Monday, Aug. 19, with additional information.

Daniel Sarch contributed to this report.

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