Fremont woman gets probation for infant's death

FREMONT — A Fremont woman was recently sentenced to probation and ordered to undergo treatment for her role in her infant daughter's death. On Dec. 11, Ashley A. Horner, 30, of the 400 block of S. Collinwood Blvd., was convicted on one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony. Horner pleaded guilty to the single charge the same day. No additional charges were dropped as a result of her plea. Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeremiah Ray opted for Horner to face no additional jail time and, ultimately, sentenced Horner to three years of probation and up to six months in a residential community-based program, according to court records. Under the terms of her sentencing, Horner received credit for about four months served in jail. If Horner breaks any of the following probation conditions, she could face a nine-month jail sentence. • Horner is required to complete 40 hours of community service. • Horner must abstain from using drugs and alcohol • Horner is subject to drug and alcohol use monitoring as well as random drug testing • Horner must obtain and maintain employment or be involved in full-time education or job training • Horner must undergo a mental health assessment and substance abuse treatment Co-defendant sentenced Horner, along with her co-defendant and the infant's father, Michael G. Miller, 33, also of the 400 block of S. Collinwood Blvd., were both indicted by a Sandusky County grand jury in July for their roles in the death of their infant daughter. A Fremont police report identified both Miller and Horner as the infant's parents. On Nov. 25, Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Jon Ickes sentenced Miller to serve five years of probation. Miller previously pleaded guilty to one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony on Sept. 18, in exchange for one count of possession of cocaine, a fifth-degree felony, to be dismissed. Background The investigation into both Miller and Horner began on Dec. 14, 2024, after Fremont police officers responded to the residence after Horner called to report that their infant daughter had died sometime overnight, according to a Fremont police report. The report redacts the victim's name but identifies her as a 1-month-old infant whose parents are Miller and Horner. When officers arrived at the residence, they observed the infant to be stiff and cold to the touch with blood coming from her nose and mouth, as well as marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia on the windowsill directly next to the couch, the report states. Miller and Horner, as well as the couple's other child, were transported to the Fremont police station to be formally interviewed. Officers notified Sandusky County Children Services, which was later made aware by hospital staff at Promedica Memorial Hospital that the infant tested positive for THC, the report states. At the station, Horner told the officer that Miller left the residence around 8:30 p.m. to meet friends, she fell asleep in a reclining chair at 10 p.m., and that the infant was in her bouncer near the couch, the report states. Horner told the officer she woke up at 2:30 a.m., fed the infant, changed her diaper and placed her back in the bouncer. Horner added that the infant was only wearing a diaper and had a blanket over her and that when she woke up at around 8 a.m., she observed the infant lying on her right side, facing the couch, with her blanket next to her, unresponsive, the report states. After speaking with Horner, the officer began interviewing Miller, who reportedly told the officer he had been working until 6 p.m. that day, then went out with some friends until 10:30 p.m. before arriving home. Miller further stated that he and Horner got into a fight over Christmas presents. After their argument, Miller said Horner went back to the living room to sleep on the couch, while he went to bed in their bedroom. When the officer asked both Horner and Miller if they suspected that the other person had any involvement in the infant's death, they both denied doing anything to harm her, the report states. Search warrant Based on initial findings, officers obtained a search warrant for the couple's residence. During the search, they found Miller's black leather wallet, which contained cocaine. Miller later admitted to police that he used cocaine while at the bar, before coming home, the report states. Investigators also discovered empty alcohol bottles and two melatonin bottles near the baby's bottles and formula. On Feb. 21, 2025, the Lucas County coroner's office ruled the cause of the infant's death as undetermined. About five months later, on July 26, Miller and Horner were arrested and charged with endangering children. Miller was additionally charged with possession of cocaine.