Cass County ( trfnews.i234.me ) – A Fargo couple is facing felony child neglect charges following the death of their three-month-old baby, court records show. Investigators say disturbing conditions were discovered in their apartment, along with methamphetamine found in the infant’s system.
Police were called to the family’s Fargo residence on July 26, 2024, after Nickolas Shearer reported his baby was not breathing. First responders said the infant was cold to the touch and had discolored skin, indicating death had occurred before their arrival. The couple’s other two children, ages one and two, were taken into protective custody.
Officers noted they could not fully open the apartment door due to piles of garbage. Inside, they reported a strong smell of rotten food, clutter throughout, dirty dishes, and food smeared on the walls. The baby was found in a soiled diaper overflowing with feces and urine, with flies visible. The thermostat showed 82 degrees inside the unit.
According to court documents, both parents admitted the home was not suitable for children. Nickolas told investigators that Alie had propped up a formula bottle with a blanket to feed the infant on the couch. Hours later, the child was found unresponsive.
An autopsy determined the cause of death was “unexplained sudden infant death with intrinsic factors,” and the manner of death was “undetermined.” Toxicology tests revealed methamphetamine in the infant’s hair follicle, while the other children tested negative. The report also detected cotinine, a nicotine byproduct, in the infant. Both parents denied current drug use but admitted to past use.
Investigators also recovered a text message from a phone hours before the baby was found, reading “I think it was pop.” Alie later told investigators they sometimes gave soda to another child to ease congestion, but denied giving it to the infant.
Nickolas and Alie Shearer are both charged with three counts of felony child neglect. Arrest warrants were issued on August 14, 2024. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for October 1. Learn more about North Dakota child neglect statutes here.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
