COLUMBUS, OH – A mother from Ohio is facing serious charges after allegedly subjecting her 6-year-old daughter to severe abuse over several weeks, ultimately leading to the child’s death. Prosecutors have indicted 32-year-old Ashley Fagan on multiple counts, including murder and involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the death of her daughter, Eva Bretz.
Fagan is accused not only of murder but also of endangering another child—a 1-year-old—who reportedly suffered significant harm between November and December 2023.
The investigation began on April 13, 2025, when Columbus Police officers responded to a distress call from a residence on the 4000 block of Migration Lane. Upon arrival, first responders found young Eva in distress and initiated emergency medical care.
Eva was immediately transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Medical examinations revealed that she was suffering from extensive internal and external injuries, including a severed liver and neck injuries, which were deemed life-threatening.
Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Eva succumbed to her injuries approximately six hours after being admitted. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office later confirmed Eva’s death as a homicide, uncovering additional evidence of prolonged abuse.
An autopsy provided a harrowing account of the child’s final months, revealing that Eva had been subjected to ongoing physical abuse, potentially spanning several weeks or longer. Doctors reported discovering fentanyl in her system and evidence of sexual assault prior to her passing.
Further examination revealed blunt force trauma to Eva’s abdomen and multiple fractures at various stages of healing, evidence indicative of sustained and repeated abuse.
Suspicion turned toward Eva’s mother, Fagan, and her partner, Blake Hutchinson, after they offered inconsistent accounts of the child’s injuries. Hutchinson, facing an indictment as well, reportedly ended his own life shortly before authorities could detain him.
The indictment further alleges that Eva’s injuries resulted from prolonged and cruel treatment, suggesting that she endured physical restraint and other abusive measures leading up to her tragic end.