Foster mother waives abuse hearing to grand jury

Published 1:34 pm Friday, December 20, 2019

A woman accused of pouring hot chocolate on a 10-month-old child’s head sent her case to the grand jury.

Ashley Neal, 33, of 126 Southdale Drive, is charged with first-degree criminal abuse for the Nov. 30 incident at the Winchester McDonald’s.

According to police, surveillance footage showed Neal carrying the baby in a carrier against her chest when she poured the hot drink over the child’s head.

Email newsletter signup

Officers said she then took several steps and attempted to fall.

Police officers were called around 1 p.m. for a report of a woman who fell and spilled the drink on the child.

Neal told officers she could not remember the incident or anything else that happened that day.

The child was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with severe burns to its face and head, police said.

Neal was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Clark District Court to determine whether there is probable cause for the charge.

Defendants have the option to waive the hearing and send the case to the grand jury, which can issue an indictment or dismiss the charge.

The charge carries a sentence of five to 10 years in prison upon conviction.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

email author More by Fred