A woman has been sentenced for abandoning her son in the woods, claiming he was missing, after he endured a terrifying night alone
Dunbar: So, there’s this wild story about a woman named Ashley McGovern. She left her nine-year-old son all alone in the woods. Can you believe that? It happened back in September 2022.
The poor kid was out there overnight without proper clothes, food, or even water. He ended up getting hurt, and the judge called it a “terrifying ordeal.” After ditching him, Ashley lied to the police and everyone else about what happened.
Before all this, she had also exposed him to drugs and alcohol. When she finally faced the music in court, she pleaded guilty to some serious charges, including neglect.
Last week, she got a three-year community service sentence instead of jail time. She has to do 300 hours of unpaid work and check in regularly. The judge said it was a big deal, and normally, she’d be looking at prison time.
He pointed out how she put her child in danger and left him in the woods. But, he also mentioned that she’s been struggling with mental health issues, especially during the pandemic, which led her to drugs.
Ashley was really emotional during the hearing, crying as she heard her sentence. Her lawyer argued that she’s a vulnerable person who’s been through a lot. It’s a sad situation all around, and it sounds like she’s trying to turn her life around.
But the judge warned her that if she messes up again, she could end up back in court facing serious consequences. It’s a tough lesson for her, that’s for sure.