Ohio Mother Sentenced to Up to 23½ Years After Allowing Abuse That Severed Her 6-Year-Old Daughter’s Liver and Led to Her Death
COLUMBUS, OHIO — An Ohio mother who stood by while her boyfriend repeatedly beat and strangled her 6-year-old daughter, allowing abuse so severe it severed the child’s liver, has been sentenced to up to 23½ years in prison, court records show.
Mother Pleads Guilty to Multiple Felony Charges
Ashley Fagan, 33, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of permitting child abuse, two counts of endangering children, one count of involuntary manslaughter, and obstructing justice in the death of Eva Bretz.
A judge sentenced Fagan to between 18 and 23½ years behind bars. A murder charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
Child Found With Life-Threatening Injuries
Police were called to a home in the 4000 block of Migration Lane on April 13, 2025, after a 911 call reported a child in distress.
First responders found Eva unresponsive and rushed her to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where doctors discovered catastrophic internal and external injuries, including:
- A severed liver
- Ligature marks around her neck
- Blunt force trauma to her abdomen
Despite emergency efforts, Eva died approximately six hours after being admitted. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office later ruled her death a homicide.
False Story Quickly Unraveled
Fagan initially told investigators her daughter had been playing with a friend the night before and accidentally caught a tree branch in her hoodie, restricting her breathing.
That account collapsed under scrutiny.
Surveillance footage from the apartment complex showed Eva was never outside, and detectives uncovered text messages between Fagan and her boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, discussing how to coordinate their stories about Eva’s injuries.
Messages dated as early as October 2024 suggested the abuse had been ongoing for months.
Autopsy Reveals Prolonged Abuse
According to the coroner’s report, Eva endured weeks or even months of severe physical abuse before her death.
Investigators found:
- Multiple fractured ribs and pelvic bones in various stages of healing
- Blunt force injuries consistent with repeated assaults
- Fentanyl in her system
- Evidence of sexual assault
Prosecutors said the injuries were consistent with ongoing torture and cruel corporal punishment.
Grandfather and Judge Address Court
Eva’s grandfather, Kevin Coles, addressed the court during sentencing.
“The one person on this planet that should have had her best interest at heart did not take any steps to protect her,” he said.
“And it could have been done so easily.”
Fagan’s attorney acknowledged her culpability despite claiming she did not personally inflict the injuries.
“She’s a human being who has made unforgivable choices,” attorney Terry Sherman said.
Judge Calls Case Unimaginable
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Brown, speaking as a father and grandfather, became emotional while imposing the sentence.
“I cannot imagine taking a life or watching while someone else takes the life of a child,” the judge said.
“Particularly your own child.”
Boyfriend Died Before Facing Charges
Hutchinson was indicted in connection with Eva’s death but killed himself just before authorities could arrest him, prosecutors confirmed.
Court records also show Fagan faced additional charges related to serious physical harm to a 1-year-old child in late 2023.
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