Dad Faces 100 Years In Prison For Abusing Children, Mom Admits Child Neglect

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A 35-year-old father of four has been convicted of four counts of first-degree child abuse, according to officials.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced the conviction Friday involving Rishaud Dickens. The children's mother, 32-year-old Tierra Kelly, has pleaded guilty to 11 counts of child neglect, Jackson added.

After responding to a 911 call in February 2024, detectives from the Prince George's County Child and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Unit launched an investigation into claims that Dickens was physically abusing four of his children.

Dickens faces a maximum of 25 years per count, totaling 100 years in prison. His sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 16, 2026.

“This case is heartbreaking and infuriating,” Jackson said. “A parent’s most basic responsibility is to love, protect and care for their children, not to inflict harm upon them, and this conviction holds these parents accountable for that betrayal. We are grateful to our prosecutors and law enforcement partners for their tireless work in securing this conviction. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute child abuse cases and fight for the safety of every child in our community. No
child should ever suffer at the hands of the people they depend on the most.”