Autopsy shows 6-year-old Columbus girl had trace amount of fentanyl, strangulation injuries
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A 6-year-old girl in east Columbus died of 'homicidal violence,' including injuries from blunt force trauma, strangulation, and sexual assault, according to the Franklin County Coroner's Office.
Eva Bretz was admitted to a hospital in April after being unresponsive at home, according to the coroner's office. She required care in the intensive care unit and died about six hours after she was admitted.
The girl's evaluation was 'consistent with hemorrhagic shock' and other blunt force trauma injuries, like rib and pelvis fractures and a trace amount of fentanyl, according to the coroner's office.
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'These injuries demonstrate a pattern of violence occurring for at least weeks, and probably months prior to the child's death,' the autopsy report reads.
The girl's mother, Ashley Fagan, 32, and her boyfriend, Blake Hutchinson, 24, were charged in connection with her death. When approached by law enforcement, Hutchinson died by suicide. Watch previous coverage in the player above.
Police said both made false statements as to what occurred the night of Bretz's hospitalization, nor did they account for how the injuries were sustained while Bretz was in their care.
According to Franklin County Children Services, the organization said a case was open on Bretz's behalf at birth in 2019 when reports of a positive drug test were received. A second report was received related to concerns about neglect in 2020. Both cases were closed after the family met with caseworkers and the children were assessed to be safe, the FCCS said.
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FCCS caseworkers have also responded to reports of abuse and neglect to Bretz' brothers and sister, whose ages are unknown. An ongoing investigation was open at the time of Bretz's death.
The FCCS said that Fagan and her children were repeatedly encouraged to take advantage of numerous supportive services and assistance, made available to families in our care who are facing difficulties.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Missouri resident hospitalized with 'brain-eating' infection possibly linked to water skiing, officials say
A Missouri resident has been hospitalized with what health officials described as a deadly "brain-eating infection" after possibly waterskiing in a local lake. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said in a Wednesday news release that the patient — who they have not identified — appears to have been exposed to a Naegleria fowleri. The agency described Naegleria fowleri as "a microscopic single-celled free-living ameba that can cause a rare, deadly infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also known as 'brain-eating' infection." Health officials said that a preliminary investigation suggests that the patient may have been water skiing in the Lake of the Ozarks, a reservoir in central Missouri, days before becoming ill. Naegleria fowleri is commonly found in freshwater, according to the agency, but PAM is "extremely rare." The ameba is typically ingested through the nose and travels up to the brain, where it damages the brain tissue, the agency added. "Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater across the United States; however, infection remains very rare," the agency said. The health agency said that between 1962 and 2024, there were only 167 reported cases of the infection in the United States. Last month, 12-year-old Jaysen Carr died from contracting PAM days after swimming in Lake Murray in South Carolina, according to a statement the law firm representing Carr's family posted on Facebook. "We stand beside this family not only to seek the truth, but to help ensure no other family endures a loss like this," the Bailey Law Firm said. Early symptoms of PAM include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says that most people with PAM die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin, and that the infection typically leads to coma and death within five days. The Missouri HHS advised that residents "avoid water-related activities in warm freshwater during periods of high-water temperature," use nose clamps, and avoid putting their heads underwater. It also suggested avoiding the excavation of wet sediment, as "Naegleria fowleri amebas are more likely to live in sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and rivers." This article was originally published on Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Associated Press
Global Times: From mines to green hills - two generations witness 20 years of China's ecological development miracle under 'two mountains' concept
BEIJING, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- August's summer heat is no match for the lively atmosphere in Yucun. In front of a stone tablet inscribed 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,' tourists often stop to take photos. From the village post office, vibrant rice paddies stretch all the way to the foot of the mountains, swaying in the breeze. Parents ride shared e-bikes with their children along country paths, feeling the air filled with fresh scent of bamboo and tea - this is the bucolic lifestyle many people now long for. It's hard to imagine that 20 years ago, this was a mining village shrouded in dust and filled with the din of quarries. From 'selling ore' to 'selling scenery,' to 'selling lifestyle and quality,' this development path is deeply etched in the memories of residents in Yucun. During an inspection tour to Yucun on August 15, 2005, Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), for the first time put forward the concept of 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.' Pan Wenge, who was on site for Xi's field visit and symposium in Yucun, and later served as Yucun village Party chief, is a key witness and promoter of the concept's inception and practice in the village. Now a member of the Party Committee at the Anji County Party School, Pan recently told the Global Times how that day changed the future of the village, as well as many people's life trajectories. In Volume V of the book series Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, President Xi emphasized that 'I hope our whole society acts now to promote and apply the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. Through solid and sustained efforts, we will make a greater contribution to building a clean and beautiful world,' in the article titled 'Promote and Apply the Concept that Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains Are Invaluable Assets.' This is Xi's directive on the first National Ecology Day on August 14, 2023. Today, more and more young people are travelling to Yucun, to Anji to start careers there, becoming a new generation of 'two mountains' concept practitioners. The seeds planted 20 years ago are now taking root in many people's lives, growing toward broader horizons. A 20-Year Green Transition On August 15, 2005, when Pan attended the symposium, he was a young official in Yucun village, and the only university graduate there. For the day, he made a trip to the county town to buy a white shirt. At the time, Pan silently made a vow to lead Yucun onto a long-term path of green development and build a 'paradise of bamboos and peach trees.' Yucun was, in fact, under great pressure to explore economic transformation. In the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to high-quality limestone resources, the village had become the 'richest village' in Anji. At its peak, Yucun boasted three mines, one cement plant, and over 100 tractors shuttling back and forth. However, this model of 'living off the mountain' came at the cost of an overexploited environment - vegetation was destroyed, air was polluted, rivers had been turned black, and pedestrians were perpetually covered in dust. For Pan, a Yucun native, the childhood memories of peach and plum trees in front of homes and clear blue skies had long disappeared. According to the Xinhua News Agency, in December 2002, Xi, then secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPC, proposed during the second plenary session of the 11th provincial Party committee the active implementation of a sustainable development strategy, aiming to build a 'Green Zhejiang.' Using the construction of an ecological province as the main vehicle, the province should strive to achieve coordinated development among the population, resources, environment, and the economy. In June 2003, Zhejiang Province launched the 'Thousand Villages Demonstration and Ten Thousand Villages Renovation' project, with the aim of comprehensively renovating ten thousand administrative villages in the province and building a thousand key villages of them into all-round well-off model villages. Guided by the policy, the officials of Yucun village made the resolute decision to close its quarries and cement factory, and began exploring the development of ecological tourism. On August 15, 2005, Xi visited Yucun and highly affirmed its approach. According to Xinhua, Xi noted that in the past, we said we want both lucid waters and lush mountains, and invaluable assets. In fact, lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets - they themselves have value. The proposal of the 'two mountains' concept further strengthened the confidence of Yucun officials and villagers in pursuing green development. Pan recalled that in the years that followed, Yucun undertook mine rehabilitation, expanded greenery, and mobilized villagers to clean ditches, repair roads, and repaint walls, transforming the previously shabby village into public spaces resembling scenic spots. In addition, the previously scattered household workshops and small factories were reorganized into collective businesses such as farm stays, specialty product sales, and experience-based tourism. For the first time, villagers realized that working together could also generate wealth. Before each step was taken, Pan would clearly explain the financial and logic, striving to safeguard villagers' interests. Though disagreements inevitably arose, the villagers' sincerity and reasonableness helped resolve conflicts. Yucun's exploration ultimately paid off. The implementation of the 'two mountains' concept has led to significant ecological improvement, economic growth, and social progress. Today, in this small village of only 4.86 square kilometers, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit annually. According to Pan, more than 100 households in the village now run their own businesses, from farm stays to specialty stores, experience centers to social media hotspots. Business is booming, popularity is rising, and with that, villagers' incomes and life satisfaction have increased. 'After 20 years of development, mountains turned green, waters became clear, and every household has a business, with expanding range. We don't need to leave the village to find work anymore,' said Pan Chunlin, owner of Chunlin Mountain Lodge in Yucun. 'The concept of 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets' has not only significantly raised our income and happiness, but also changed the fate of several generations of our family,' he said. Xi returned to Yucun 15 years later during an inspection tour in Zhejiang in March 2020. He said time had flown, but memories of that year were still vivid. This time, what he saw was completely different, and the vision of a beautiful countryside had become reality in Yucun. The village's achievements prove that the path of green development is correct, and once chosen, it must be followed through. New Generation of Practitioners On the lawn in Yucun, frisbees arc through the air in the hands of young people. The 'most beautiful' rural library has also become a popular selfie-taking spot. Further out, in Anji's cafes, a few 'digital nomads' close their laptops and make plans to stroll through the tea fields. Today's Anji has become a hub for young people - they work, study, and live here, turning 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into a sustainable lifestyle, while becoming the new generation of practitioners of the 'two mountains' concept. One of them is young millennial entrepreneur Li Yanyi. Originally from Shanghai, she has taken root in Anji's Xilong township since 2019, where she runs the 'Anji Hood' project, a tourism integration complex based on the culture of Anji's famous white tea. She and her team systematically revitalize old spaces, transforming abandoned structures into public venues, shops, or guesthouses, redefining rural aesthetics through a more international lens. Unlike the traditional 'build a view to attract people' model, Li focuses on building communities. She transformed an abandoned bamboo and timber factory into a multifunctional community space, launching the 'DNA (Digital Nomad Anji)' project in 2021. Programmers, designers, and creatives have moved their studios into this mountain-water setting, working remotely during the day and chatting in the fields at night. This has become a unique part of Anji's landscape. If we say Pan's generation answered the era's call to 'close the mines,' then new Anji residents like Li are now exploring the question of 'how to open up new ways of life.' 'For young people just out of university, Anji is a great option - it's close to big cities, has a low trial and error cost, and offers a taste of rural life without leaving familiar circles all at once,' she told the Global Times. 'Lucid waters and lush mountains are a timeless human aspiration. As rural populations decline, the challenge is how to keep people here and how to make them want to live here,' she said. This is also a concern for Pan. 'In the past, once young people went to college, they left the countryside. Now the key is how to attract talented individuals to return and start new lives and businesses in the countryside.' Statistics show that since 2019, over 50,000 young people have chosen to work and start businesses in Anji, gradually making it known as a 'top destination for youth returning to the countryside.' From Beautiful Villages to a Beautiful China At the entrance to Yucun, nestled among lush greenery beside a small bridge over flowing water, a large stone bears the inscription 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets' - now one of the most iconic symbols of China's ecological civilization efforts. As the birthplace of the 'two mountains' concept, Yucun draws in many visitors. During the Global Times' visit, a group of faculty and students from Fujian Province's Xiamen University were conducting a summer research program titled 'Retracing the Two Mountains Path: Co-building the Ecological Circle.' Jiang Yizhou, a master's student from the College of Environment and Ecology at Xiamen University, told the Global Times that 'we wanted to see how the past 20 years were actually lived. Traditionally, people view ecology and the economy as a seesaw - gains in one mean losses in the other. But here, we see they are not merely balanced - they are synergized. Both ecological protection and economic growth rise together, achieving a kind of decoupling.' Today, the concept that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets' has become a widespread consensus and shared action across society. According to Xinhua, regions nationwide are exploring various 'two mountains' transformation paths. Models such as 'protecting green for gold,' 'aggregating green into gold,' and 'leveraging green for gold' have been refined across 572 ecological civilization demonstration zones and 240 'two mountains' bases, with ecological dividends continuing to emerge. At the post office at Yucun's entrance, Global Times reporters saw several tourists writing postcards about their trip - on the back of each card was an aerial snapshot of a green and lush Yucun. Pan Chunlin's 'Chunlin Mountain Lodge' was welcoming a new group of guests. The students from Xiamen University took a group photo in front of the stone monument before heading to their next research destination. When asked whether the vision he had for Yucun 20 years ago had come true, Pan raised his fist and replied, 'That goal has been achieved, and I believe tomorrow will be even better!' When the concept of 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets' transforms from the choice of one village into the choice of millions of lives, a Beautiful China comes into view. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
Fox News
3 days ago
- Fox News
Person infected with brain-eating amoeba after water-skiing, health officials say
Print Close By Melissa Rudy Published August 14, 2025 A Missouri resident has been infected with a rare brain-eating amoeba, possibly linked to water-skiing in the Lake of Ozarks. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) confirmed the infection on Wednesday. The unidentified adult is hospitalized in an intensive care unit and being treated for primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a deadly infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba. DEATH CONFIRMED FROM RARE AND DEADLY 'BRAIN-EATING AMOEBA' IN SOUTHERN LAKE No other cases are suspected in the area at this time, the health agency stated in the press release. While the source of the patient's exposure has not been confirmed, the DHSS reported that the patient may have been water-skiing in the days leading up to the illness. "Recreational water users should assume that Naegleria fowleri is present in warm freshwater across the United States; however, infection remains very rare," the agency stated. Naegleria fowleri can be a risk when swimming in fresh water, as the amoeba can enter through the nose. FOUR PEOPLE DEAD IN FLORIDA FROM FLESH-EATING BACTERIA FOUND IN COASTAL WATERS The amoeba is most active in the months that the water temperature stays above 77F – July, August and September, according to health officials. Infection in humans is very rare, with only 167 reported cases of PAM in the U.S. between 1962 and 2024. Warning signs to recognize The initial symptoms of PAM usually begin about five days after exposure, but they can be noticed sooner. Early signs usually include headache , nausea, fever and/or vomiting, the CDC's website states. As the infection progresses, people may experience confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures and coma. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "People usually start to feel ill one to 12 days after water exposure," Tammy Lundstrom, chief medical officer and infectious disease specialist for Trinity Health in Michigan, previously told Fox News Digital. "Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis ." Death can occur anywhere between one and 18 days of infection, at an average of five days. Prevention of infection To prevent potentially fatal infections, health officials recommended taking precautions when swimming in freshwater. "Hold your nose shut, use nose clips or keep your head above water when taking part in activities in bodies of warm freshwater, especially if you jump or dive into the water," the Missouri health officials cautioned. Lundstrom reiterated that it's best to avoid immersing your head in the water when swimming in summer. "Infection occurs when water harboring the amoeba goes up a person's nose, usually during swimming," she previously told Fox News Digital. "It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not." CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER Drinking contaminated water does not present a risk, and the infection does not spread from one person to another, Lundstrom added. Because the amoeba is found in soil, the CDC also recommends avoiding stirring up the sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds and rivers. Treatment of brain-eating amoebas When a patient has been diagnosed with a brain-eating amoeba, treatment usually includes a variety of antifungal medications , as well as antibiotics like rifampin and azithromycin, according to Lundstrom. Miltefosine, a newer antifungal drug, has been shown to kill Nagleria fowleri in laboratory tests and was used to treat some surviving patients, the CDC states on its website. "Infection occurs when water harboring the amoeba goes up a person's nose." "However, the effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate," Lundstrom noted. Those who experience sudden headache, fever, stiff neck or vomiting — especially if they have recently been swimming in warm freshwater — should seek immediate medical attention , the CDC recommends. For more Health articles, visit Despite the infection's high fatality rate, Lundstrom emphasized the rarity of cases. "Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected," she said. Print Close URL
