Latest news with #EvaBretz
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Autopsy shows 6-year-old Columbus girl had trace amount of fentanyl, strangulation injuries
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741. 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. OSU researcher: $700K grant canceled when DOGE misunderstood use of 'climate' '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. Why Ohio flags will fly at half-staff beginning May 27, 2025 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.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
6-year-old girl's death ruled a homicide; Now her mother, mother's boyfriend are charged with murder
An Ohio mother and her boyfriend were charged in the death of her 6-year-old daughter. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 3:30 a.m. on April 13, Columbus Division of Police Officers were dispatched to the 4000 block of Migration Lane off Stelzer Road, our news partners WBNS-10 TV reported. TRENDING STORIES: Officers replace drugs with fakes in Dayton methamphetamine conspiracy case Local industrial facility closing; over 100 employees impacted 'I just heard him screaming;' 1 injured in Dayton shooting Medics took 6-year-old Eva Bretz to Nationwide Children's Hospital with life-threatening internal and external injuries, including a severed liver, bruising, ligature marks around her neck, and injuries to other parts of her body, according to Franklin County Municipal Court records. Bretz was pronounced dead hours later, and the Franklin County Coroner's Office ruled her death a homicide, WBNS-10 TV reported. Bretz was in the care of her mother, 32-year-old Ashley Fagan, and Fagan's boyfriend, 24-year-old Blake Hutchinson, at the time of her death, according to court records. Now, Fagan and Hutchinson are each charged with murder and endangering children in connection with Bretz's death. Hutchinson and Fagan both made false statements about what happened and were not able to account for Bretz's injuries while she was in their care, WBNS-10 TV reported. Fagan was booked into the Franklin County jail on May 4, and a warrant was issued for Hutchinson's arrest. On May 6, Hutchinson died by suicide after being approached by Knox County SWAT personnel, according to Columbus police. The Franklin County Children Services told WBNS-10 TV that they first received reports about Bretz at her birth in March 2019, with concerns about a positive drug test, In December 2020, the FCCS received a second report related to concerns about neglect, emotional maltreatment, and physical abuse. Both cases were closed after the family met with caseworkers, and the children, Bretz's three siblings, were deemed to be safe in their parents' care, according to the FCCS. However, FCCS coworkers responded in the past to concerns about abuse and neglect related to Bretz's two brothers and sister, and there was an ongoing case involving a sibling at the time of Bretz's death. FCCS told WBNS-10 TV that Fagan and her children were encouraged to get involved with supportive services and assistance, which is available to families who are facing difficulties. 'Unfortunately, the services offered to the family were not successful in reducing the kind of isolation that can hide abuse and neglect,' a spokesperson for the FCCS said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
