URGENT UPDATE: A mother has been sentenced to up to 23.5 years in prison after standing by while her boyfriend brutally abused her 6-year-old daughter, leading to the child’s tragic death. Ashley Fagan, 33, from Ohio, has been convicted of multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment, after the horrifying details of the case emerged.
On April 13, 2025, police responded to an emergency call at the family home, where they found young Eva Bretz in critical condition. Despite immediate efforts to save her life, she succumbed to catastrophic injuries shortly after arriving at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Eva’s injuries included a severed liver and ligature marks around her neck, raising immediate red flags about the extent of abuse she suffered.
Authorities revealed that Fagan initially misled the police, claiming Eva’s injuries were the result of an accident involving a tree branch. However, surveillance footage indicated Eva had not been outside that night. Investigators uncovered text messages between Fagan and her boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, dating back to October 2024, where they appeared to conspire to cover up the abuse.
In court, Eva’s grandfather, Kevin Coles, expressed his heartbreak, stating, “The one person on this planet that should have had her best interest at heart did not take any steps to protect her.” Fagan’s attorney acknowledged her actions as “unforgivable choices,” highlighting the emotional toll the case had taken on all involved.
Judge Richard Brown of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court described the case as “too heart-wrenching,” revealing his distress over the circumstances that led to Eva’s death. The coroner’s report confirmed that Eva was subjected to severe physical and possibly sexual abuse, with test results indicating the presence of fentanyl in her system.
Police reported that Eva exhibited signs of prolonged abuse, including multiple fractures at different healing stages, indicative of ongoing maltreatment. The indictment stated that her death resulted from permitting the child to be abused and tortured over a significant period.
In a tragic turn, Hutchinson, the alleged abuser, died by suicide just before authorities were set to arrest him, leaving many questions unanswered about the full extent of the abuse and the tragic fate of young Eva.
As the community grapples with this devastating loss, the case serves as a grim reminder of the responsibilities of parents and caregivers to protect vulnerable children. The emotional fallout continues, with many calling for increased awareness and preventive measures against child abuse.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
