It’s never nice to hear about children who have been abused, especially when it’s the child’s own parents who have harmed them.
Luckily, this little girl survived. But her scars will never fully heal.
It was in 2002 that Melissa put her youngest daughter in the oven, turned on the heat and closed the door. Ashley was only 14 months old.
Luckily Ashley’s father, Robert, heard her cries and was able to save her, but she had already sustained severe burns.
She endured 28 operations after the traumatic event, and the scars on her arms and forehead are still clearly visible today.
Melissa was sentenced to 25 years in prion for attempted murder after confessing her crime. She first claimed that it was an accident, but that was easily disproved.
Recenly, Ashley found out that her mother had applied for parole.
This came as a shock to Ashley. There is no way that she wants her mother to be released.
Someone who doesn’t agree is Ashley’s sister Melissa. She was eight years old when the terrible incident occured. She even saw it happen.
She has been to visit her mother regularly and believes she has changed. Courtney has her own children who are the same age Ashley was when her mom trapped her in the oven.
At the hearing, both sisters presented their views to the judge.
”I don’t hate her, I don’t love her, I don’t want to meet her,” Ashley said in an interview. She is also concerned for her niece and nephew’s safety if Melissa is released. Even though she has forgiven her mother today, she does not trust her.
Ashley is now 15 years old and in highschool. She has been brought up by her aunt and uncle, who she calls her parents.
Luckily, the judge took Ashley’s views into consideration, and her mom will stay in prison for a few more years before she can make a new appeal for parole.
Ahsley says her mother has never appologised for what she put her through.
Although the scars are still visible, Ashley doesn’t let it hold her back.
She has moved on with her life, and dreams of becoming a pediatrician.
I’m so glad that Melissa won’t be released right now. After everything Ashley has gone through, she shouldn’t also have to live in fear of her mother.
I hope, of course, that Melissa also gets the help she needs, because no person in their right mind would shut their own child in an oven.
But she should not be released before we knows for sure that she is harmless.
You can watch a video clip about what happened below:
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