Woman failed to appear at her child abuse trial in Georgia

She is awaiting extradition to Maryland.

Ashley Franklin (Hagerstown Police Photo)

Hagerstown, Md (KM) A woman who failed to show up for her trial earlier this year on child abuse charges that resulted in the death of her infant daughter three years ago has been located. Hagerstown police said authorities in South Fulton, Georgia, arrested 37-year-old Ashley Franklin on Friday, Aug. 23. She was wanted on a charge of failure to appear in court in March 2024.

Franklin is charged with first-degree child abuse under the age of 13, first-degree child abuse causing serious bodily injury, manslaughter, and neglect of minors.

She is currently awaiting extradition to Maryland.

Franklin and the child's father, William Antonio Conyers of Hagerstown, were charged in October 2021 in the death of the 10-month-old girl.

In April 2021, Hagerstown Police responded to reports of an unresponsive infant in the 300 block of South Mulberry Street. The child was transported to Meritus Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

An investigation was launched that lasted several months. The coroner concluded that the cause of death was “complications of malnutrition and neglect.” The cause of death was determined to be murder.

Franklin was arrested in October 2021 for the baby's death.

When she failed to appear for her hearing in March 2024, a Washington County District Court judge issued an arrest warrant.

By Kevin McManus