UPDATE: A mother has been sentenced to 18 to 23 ½ years in prison for her role in the tragic death of her 6-year-old daughter, Eva Bretz, who suffered severe abuse at the hands of her boyfriend. Ashley Fagan, 33, from Ohio, stood by as her boyfriend brutally beat and strangled Eva, leading to the child’s untimely death. This shocking case has raised urgent discussions about child protection and accountability.
On April 13, 2025, police responded to a 911 call from the family home and found Eva in critical condition. Despite immediate efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead just six hours after being admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Medical examinations revealed catastrophic injuries, including a severed liver and ligature marks around her neck.
Fagan pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter and obstructing justice. Disturbingly, she initially claimed Eva’s injuries were caused by a tree branch trapped in her hoodie. However, surveillance footage disproved this, revealing Eva did not play outside that evening. Investigators uncovered text messages between Fagan and her boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, dating back to October 2024, where they attempted to fabricate a story regarding the child’s injuries.
Kevin Coles, Eva’s grandfather, expressed deep sorrow during the sentencing, 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 emotional weight of the case was evident, even affecting Judge Richard Brown, who stated, “I cannot imagine taking a life or watching while someone else takes the life of a child, particularly your own child.”
The coroner’s report indicates that Eva was likely subjected to severe physical abuse for weeks or months prior to her death. Test results revealed she had been a victim of sexual assault and had fentanyl in her system at the time of her passing. Additionally, her injuries, including multiple fractures in various healing stages, pointed to ongoing violence and neglect.
Fagan’s actions, or lack thereof, have been described as permitting her child to be tortured and abused. The indictment highlights that Eva’s injuries were the direct result of permitting physical restraint in a cruel manner.
Adding to the tragedy, Blake Hutchinson, the alleged abuser, took his own life just before authorities could arrest him. This case has sparked outrage and calls for reform in child protective services, as the community grapples with the heart-wrenching details surrounding Eva’s death.
As this case continues to unfold, many are left questioning how such abuse could go undetected for so long and what measures can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
