Posted: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 10:28 am | Updated: 7:23 am, Wed May 30, 2012.
By JOE HIGGINS Messenger staff journalist
By JOE HIGGINS
Messenger staff journalist
A woman from The Plains accused of murdering her 4-year-old stepdaughter has been found mentally competent to stand trial.
Ashley Young, 26, was deemed competent by Judge Michael Ward during a hearing Tuesday in Athens County Common Pleas Court. Both the defense and the prosecution agreed with a mental health evaluation by Dr. Howard Sokolov that concluded Young had been mentally restored to competency.
Young is charged with aggravated murder, felony murder, child endangering, tampering with evidence and attempted aggravated possession of drugs. She is alleged to have killed her 4-year-old stepdaughter, Kaylen Young, in May of last year. On Friday, the child would have been 6 years old.
An autopsy report concluded Kaylen died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, which authorities allege was caused by Ashley Young. County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn alleges that on May 23, 2011, Young attacked Kaylen, choking her and slamming her head on the floor. Blackburn said an imprint of Kaylen’s head was found in the carpet of the home. Kaylen was taken to O’Bleness Memorial Hospital and then to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Authorities allege Young attempted to purchase illegal narcotics while she was en route to O’Bleness. Kaylen died in Columbus two days after the alleged attack.
Young pleaded innocent to the charges and defense attorneys suggested Kaylen might have died as a result of a seizure, although the autopsy concluded Kaylen was a victim of homicide.
While initially awaiting trial, Young was deemed by Dr. Jolie Brams not competent to stand trial. Ward ordered that Young be treated in the Timothy B. Moritz Center in Columbus, with the goal of having her restored to competency. Sokolov’s report was entered into evidence during Tuesday’s hearing and both defense attorney Glenn Jones and County Assistant Prosecutor Rob Driscoll stipulated to Sokolov’s findings that Young has been restored to competency. Ward then directed that Young to be held in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail until she stands trial.
The Messenger obtained a copy of Sokolov’s report once it was entered into evidence. It states that Young was admitted into the Moritz Center suffering from adjustment disorder with depressed mood, opioid dependence and cocaine and alcohol abuse.
Brams originally noted that Young had diminished focus and could not relate information about the alleged offenses due to a “complete lack of memory” and that she appeared to have post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. While at Moritz, Young’s symptoms decreased and her memory improved. She also expressed her desire to be found competent.
Young was able to tell doctors that on May 23, 2011, she found Kaylen “unconscious with heavy breathing,” according to the report. It continues with Young allegedly saying, “I picked her up and took her to the living room. A neighbor called 911. Kaylen was still breathing. The ambulance took her to the hospital.”
“Young stated that bruises, both recent and old, were noted on Kaylen’s thigh and arm,” Sokolov wrote. “Young said she did not know how these occurred.”
Sokolov wrote that Young’s memory has mainly been restored for the time of the alleged offenses but that she is still not sure about all the details. Sokolov also reports, “(Young) indicated she felt guilty because she could not help her stepdaughter when she collapsed. She feels hopeful about the future. She would hope to return to her home, obtain custody of (her daughter) and tell her about Kaylen, finish nursing school, get a job and live in her home town.”
Young denied to Sokolov “any behavior on her part that led to this death.”
A new trial date in the case has yet to be set, although Blackburn said Tuesday that a trial could be held in August or September.
jhiggins@athensmessenger.com
Follow on Twitter @jhiggins_acmOH
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