Sharef Hayward formally charged with murder for December Princess Anne attack

Sharef Hayward was formally charged on Friday, the Somerset County State's Attorney's Office said.

Hayward is now charged with first degree murder, the charge being upgraded from attempted first degree murder.

He faces 13 additional charges, including second degree murder, multiple assault charges, home invasion, multiple child abuse charges, multiple attempted murder charges and violation of a protection order.

Hayward, 26, of Baltimore, reportedly attacked 25-year-old Airealle Sells of Princess Anne along with her two young children on December 6, 2016.

Sells died as a result of her injuries. Her children suffered traumatic brain injuries and have been receiving care at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore since the attack.

The children's grandmother, Valentina Downing, is now their guardian. The Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County is raising funds to add handicap accessible renovations to Downing's home for when the children, both now confined to wheelchairs, can return home.