Columbus, Ohio – A 33-year-old Ohio mother who allowed her young daughter to be repeatedly beaten and strangled over weeks or months has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term following the child’s death, authorities confirmed.
Mother Pleads Guilty in Child Abuse Death Case
Court records show Ashley Fagan, 33, pleaded guilty on Friday to two counts of permitting child abuse, two counts of endangering children, one count of involuntary manslaughter, and one count of obstructing justice in connection with the death of her daughter, Eva Bretz, who was just 6 years old.
A Franklin County judge sentenced Fagan to 18 to 23½ years in prison. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped a murder charge.
Emergency Call and Hospitalization
Police with the Columbus Division of Police responded to a 911 call on April 13, 2025, at a residence in the 4000 block of Migration Lane. When officers arrived, they found Eva unresponsive and immediately began lifesaving measures.
Eva was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she was admitted in critical condition. Doctors reported the child suffered catastrophic internal injuries, including a severed liver, along with ligature marks around her neck, injuries described as life-threatening.
Despite emergency care, Eva died approximately six hours after being admitted. An autopsy conducted by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office later ruled her death a homicide.
False Story Unravels During Investigation
According to a courtroom report from the Columbus Dispatch, Fagan initially claimed her daughter had been playing outside the night before and accidentally caught a tree branch in her hoodie, briefly restricting her breathing.
Investigators quickly determined the account was false. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex showed Eva was never outside that evening. Detectives also recovered text messages between Fagan and her boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, dating back to October 2024, indicating they were attempting to align their stories about Eva’s injuries.
Evidence of Prolonged and Extreme Abuse
The coroner’s report, later obtained by the Dispatch, detailed a pattern of severe and ongoing abuse. Eva had multiple rib and pelvic fractures in various stages of healing, a sign investigators said pointed to repeated violence over time.
In addition to blunt force trauma to her abdomen and the severed liver, toxicology tests revealed fentanyl in the child’s system, and the autopsy also found evidence that Eva had been sexually assaulted prior to her death.
Emotional Courtroom Statements
During the plea hearing, Eva’s grandfather, Kevin Coles, addressed the court.
“The one person on this planet that should have had her best interest at heart did not take any steps to protect her, and it could have been done so easily,” he said.
Fagan’s attorney acknowledged her role, even while noting she did not physically strike the child.
“She’s a human being who has made unforgivable choices,” attorney Terry Sherman told the court.
Judge Condemns Failure to Protect Child
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Brown, visibly emotional while sentencing Fagan, spoke about the gravity of the case.
“I cannot imagine taking a life or watching while someone else takes the life of a child, particularly your own child,” the judge said.
Boyfriend Also Charged, Dies Before Arrest
Authorities said Fagan’s boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, was also indicted in connection with Eva’s death. However, before police could arrest him, Hutchinson died by suicide, according to reports cited by McClatchy News.
The indictment alleged Eva’s injuries were the “proximate result of permitting the child to be abused, tortured, administered corporal punishment, or physically restrained in a cruel manner or for a prolonged period.”
Additional Charges Involving Another Child
Court records further show Fagan faced additional charges related to a 1-year-old child who suffered serious physical harm between November and December 2023, highlighting broader concerns about ongoing child endangerment within the household.
Case Highlights Ongoing Child Protection Concerns
Prosecutors emphasized that while Fagan did not personally inflict the injuries, her repeated failure to intervene, seek medical care, or protect her children played a direct role in Eva’s death.
The case has renewed calls from child welfare advocates for stronger intervention systems and community awareness when signs of abuse appear.
If you or someone you know suspects child abuse, authorities urge reporting concerns immediately to local law enforcement or child protective services. Share your thoughts or reactions to this case in the comments below.
