From Law & Crime · · 3m
Dad said he could see his breath in room where toddler froze to death alongside single space heater
Maine dad faces manslaughter charges after 13-month-old daughter dies of hypothermia in home with no heat.
In brief
Maine dad faces manslaughter charges after 13-month-old daughter dies of hypothermia in home with no heat. Shane McLaughlin, 37, charged with manslaughter and child endangerment for 13-month-old daughter's death from hypothermia in home with no heat during Maine winter. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Shane McLaughlin charged
Shane McLaughlin, 37, faces one count of manslaughter and three counts of child endangerment for the December 2025 death of his 13-month-old daughter.
Eleanora found dead
Eleanora Ray McLaughlin was found dead in McLaughlin's home on December 28, 2025, with the cause of death being hypothermia and manner of death accidental.
No heat in home
Eleanora lived with her twin sister and 3-year-old brother at her father's home when she died, with no heat or running water in the middle of a Maine winter.
Father's account
Shane McLaughlin said he could see his breath in the room where Eleanora died, using a single space heater between the girls' beds.
State investigation
Maine State Police conducted a monthslong investigation including an autopsy by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in April 2026.
Mother's reaction
Eleanora's mother, Erika Dupuis, was angry and upset that McLaughlin had not been charged over their daughter's death.
Bond and court date
McLaughlin was booked into Penobscot County Jail on $250,000 bond and scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Friday.
Senator's concern
A state senator wrote to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services that Eleanora was found dead 'while living in a home alongside her siblings with no heat and no running water in the…
Eleanora's sister
Eleanora lived with her twin sister and 3-year-old brother at her father's home when she died.
Eleanora's mother moved
Eleanora's mother, Erika Dupuis, had moved from Maine to West Virginia the summer before Eleanora died.
Child endangerment charges
The three child endangerment counts involve the circumstances surrounding Eleanora's death, accusing McLaughlin of recklessly endangering Eleanora and two other children by violating a duty of care.
Father's statement
Shane McLaughlin said, 'I grabbed a package of Pop-Tarts, opened it up, and I went to wake up Eleanora, and that's when I found her dead.'
“I grabbed a package of Pop-Tarts, opened it up, and I went to wake up Eleanora, and that's when I found her dead.”
State police investigation
Maine State Police led a monthslong investigation that included an autopsy conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in April 2026.
Manner of death
The autopsy determined that Eleanora's cause of death was hypothermia and the manner of death was accidental.
Father's home situation
Shane McLaughlin was the only adult in the home on the wintry night when Eleanora died, with her sleeping in his room with her siblings.
Court appearance
McLaughlin is scheduled to make his initial court appearance in Penobscot County Jail on Friday.
The key point
Shane McLaughlin, 37, charged with manslaughter and child endangerment for 13-month-old daughter's death from hypothermia in home with no heat during Maine winter.
