UPDATE: A mother has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after allowing her boyfriend to brutally beat her 6-year-old daughter, resulting in the child’s tragic death. Ashley Fagan, 33, from Ohio, stood by as her daughter, Eva Bretz, suffered horrific abuse for weeks, ultimately leading to her demise on April 13, 2025.
Fagan pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment, after police responded to a desperate 911 call at their home. By the time first responders arrived, Eva was in critical condition, suffering from a severed liver and ligature marks around her neck. She was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, but despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead just six hours later.
In a shocking twist, Fagan initially misled authorities, claiming Eva’s injuries were due to an accident involving a tree branch. However, surveillance footage revealed that Eva had not been outside that night. Detectives uncovered text messages between Fagan and her boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, indicating their attempts to fabricate a story regarding the girl’s injuries, dating back to October 2024.
The court hearing revealed the extent of Eva’s suffering, with evidence suggesting she had been subjected to severe physical abuse for months. According to the coroner’s report, the young girl was also a victim of sexual assault and had fentanyl in her system. Her injuries included blunt force trauma and multiple fractures at various healing stages, indicating prolonged abuse.
Kevin Coles, Eva’s grandfather, expressed his devastation during the hearing, stating, “The one person on this planet that should have had her best interest at heart did not take any steps to protect her.” The judge, Richard Brown, was visibly affected while delivering Fagan’s sentence, remarking, “I cannot imagine taking a life or watching while someone else takes the life of a child, particularly your own child.”
This heartbreaking case serves as a grim reminder of the signs of ongoing abuse that went unaddressed. Police confirmed that Hutchinson, who was alleged to have inflicted the fatal injuries, took his own life just before authorities were set to arrest him.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, many are left questioning how such abuse could be allowed to continue unchecked. The case underscores the urgent need for increased vigilance and protection for vulnerable children.
Authorities are urging anyone who suspects child abuse to report it immediately, emphasizing that vigilance can save lives. The situation remains a developing story as the community mourns the loss of a young life that could have been spared.
