Melanie A. Shaver

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A Lancaster County woman wearing an Eagles T-shirt is facing multiple criminal cases for allegedly strangling a child during a domestic dispute, harassing another victim with 90 text messages, and attempting to break into a home, according to court records and police in Mount Joy and Manheim Township.

October 2025 Incident: Mount Joy Break-In And Harassment

Melanie A. Shaver, 33, of Denver, PA, was arrested on Saturday, Oct. 12, after Mount Joy Borough Police responded to a trespassing in progress on Manheim Street.

Investigators say Shaver drove to the victim’s home while her license was suspended, attempted to break in by pushing an air conditioner unit out of one window, and broke another window. She also allegedly sent the victim 90 text messages within a 12-hour period after being told to stop communicating.

She was charged with:

  • Felony criminal trespass – break into structure.
  • Misdemeanor criminal mischief – damage property.
  • Misdemeanor harassment – communicate repeatedly in anonymous manner.
  • Summary driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked.

Shaver was arraigned on Oct. 15 before Magisterial District Judge Michael D. Hess and held in Lancaster County Prison on $10,000 bail, court records show. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29.

February 2025 Incident: Child Strangled During Domestic

In a previous case, Shaver was charged with strangling a child who tried to stop her from attacking a man during a domestic dispute on Feb. 1, also on Manheim Street in Mount Joy.

Police said Shaver was slapping the man during an argument when the child intervened. Shaver then allegedly grabbed the child by the throat, leaving visible marks.

She was charged with:

  • Felony strangulation – applying pressure to throat or neck.
  • Misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children.
  • Summary harassment – strike/shove/kick.

She was released on $100,000 bail posted following a monetary bond. Court records indicate she later pleaded guilty to a related harassment charge and received probation with non-restrictive conditions on March 27.

New Drug and Traffic Charges: October 14 Arrest

Just days after the alleged break-in, Shaver was arrested again on unrelated charges filed by Manheim Township Police. On Oct. 14, she was charged with:

  • Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
  • Summary driving while license suspended.
  • Summary operating a vehicle without required financial responsibility.
  • Summary driving at unsafe speed.

She was released on unsecured bail and is awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 28 before Judge Courtney M. Monson.