Two charged in death of 6-year-old in Ohio

OHIO — A Columbus mother and a man are facing murder charges in the death of her 6-year-old daughter, Eva Bretz.

According to Franklin County Municipal Court records, 32-year-old Ashley Fagan and 24-year-old Blake Hutchinson have each been charged with murder and child endangerment.

Police responded to a home in the 4000 block of Migration Lane, near Stelzer Road, just before 3:30 a.m. on April 13.

Medics found Bretz in critical condition and transported her to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she later died.

Court documents detail extensive injuries, including a severed liver, bruising, ligature marks on her neck, and trauma to multiple parts of her body. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has ruled the death a homicide.

Records state that Bretz was in the care of Fagan and Hutchinson at the time of her injuries.

Investigators say both suspects gave false statements and failed to explain how the child was harmed.

Fagan was booked into the Franklin County jail on Sunday. A warrant has been issued for Hutchinson’s arrest. Authorities have not clarified his relationship to Fagan.