AUGUSTA, Maine (WMTW) — Megan McDonald, 39, has been arrested in connection to the murder of her 14-year-old son in Sidney, Maine. McDonald has been held at the Kennebec County Jail since her arrest on Friday.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the victim, but neighbors described him as a sweet kid who enjoyed playing soccer and was often seen outside. The shocking news of his death has left the community reeling.
Neighbors also revealed that McDonald, a nurse who worked at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta, had previously worked as a part-time clinical site instructor at the University of Maine at Augusta’s nursing program, though she had not been employed there since the summer of 2022.
According to court officials, McDonald was scheduled to appear virtually in court on Monday afternoon but her initial court appearance has now been rescheduled for Friday, where she will appear in person.
Maine State Police reported that a woman arrived at the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday to report an incident at her home on Summerhaven Road in Sidney. The Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office conducted a well-being check at the residence and discovered the 14-year-old dead outside.
An autopsy later revealed the teen’s cause of death as asphyxiation, manual strangulation, and sharp force injury, leading authorities to rule his death a homicide. The victim’s identity has not been released by police at this time.
On Friday morning, Regional School Unit 18 Superintendent Carl Gartley informed the Messalonskee High School community that a student had died. The student’s name was withheld due to the ongoing police investigation. Messalonskee High School serves students in grades 9-12 from Sidney and surrounding communities.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder continues as McDonald awaits further legal proceedings.