Dewey mom pleads guilty to neglect in child abuse death
BY LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent
Friday, January 25, 2013
BARTLESVILLE – A 24-year-old Dewey woman pleaded guilty Friday in Washington County District Court to charges of child neglect and enabling child abuse stemming from the 2012 death of her 15-month-old daughter.
Ashley Ann Mitchell, who was charged along with her husband and mother-in-law in the Feb. 24 death of Emma Beth Warmerbrodt, waived her right to a jury trial earlier this month.
She entered a blind plea of guilty before District Judge Curtis DeLapp on two charges of child neglect, an enabling child abuse charge, three illegal drug possession charges and a charge of paraphernalia possession.
DeLapp set an April 3 sentencing date. She remains jailed with a $500,000 bond.
Marcus Trinidad Mitchell, the 23-year-old stepfather of the deceased baby, goes to trial Monday on charges of first-degree murder and child neglect, as well as possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia. He remains in jail with a $500,000 bond.
Juanchellee Lanyl Fitch, 49, who is Marcus Mitchell’s mother, made an appearance before the judge Friday waiving her right to a jury trial on charges of accessory to first-degree murder and child neglect. Fitch, who was scheduled for a Feb. 11 trial, will return to court Feb. 6 to enter a blind plea on the charges.
She remains jailed with a $250,000 bond.
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that the baby died of blunt chest trauma and had been the victim of chronic abuse based on injuries and bruises found on her body.
Court records show rigor mortis was setting in by the time authorities were called to the Mitchells’ home to examine an unresponsive baby.
Associated Images:
From left to right, Ashley Ann Mitchell, Marcus Trinidad Mitchell and Juanchellee Lanyl Fitch
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