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3-year-old girl died after her mother kept her and her 7-year-old brother for 12 hours in a wooded area during extremely low temperatures until she froze to death; mother sentenced

Georgia – In a heartbreaking case in Georgia, a 29-year-old mother, identified as U. Ridge, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after her harrowing actions led to the death of her 3-year-old daughter. The chilling incident, which occurred in January 2024, involved Ridge taking her two young children into a wooded area overnight during harsh, freezing conditions and keeping them there for twelve hours that ultimately led to her daughter’s death.

The court learned of the distressing details surrounding the events that led to the young girl’s demise. Ridge pleaded guilty to felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children, facing the severe consequences of her actions. The sentencing was delivered by Judge D. Warren, who had to consider Ridge’s history of problematic parenting and substance abuse issues as outlined by the prosecution.

Senior Assistant District Attorney V. Hicks detailed previous incidents indicating Ridge’s troubling behavior, including a public altercation at a bowling alley a few years earlier where Ridge, under the influence of alcohol, physically assaulted her older child and mishandled her daughter, then only a year old. Following these incidents, Ridge was mandated to abstain from alcohol and to undertake parenting and substance abuse classes.

On the fateful night of the girl’s death, Ridge, under the influence of drugs, led her children into the woods nearby, under conditions of freezing temperatures and steady rain. The investigation showed that during the night Ridge had a fully charged cellphone on her, which she failed to use to seek help. The prosecutor conveyed the heartbreak of the situation, noting that the victim’s 7-year-old brother tried desperately to warm her by covering her with leaves, an effort that was tragically insufficient against the severe weather.

The children’s ordeal ended the next morning when a work crew found them and alerted the authorities. Initially, Ridge told the police they had gotten lost, but it was soon uncovered that she made no attempt to call for help, despite the means to do so.

In court, Ridge’s attorney presented a defense that highlighted Ridge’s struggles with drug addiction compounded by severe mental health issues. The defense described their client as being “tragically remorseful” for actions that led to such a devastating outcome. Despite the opportunity, Ridge chose not to speak during the sentencing.

The impact of the case resonated deeply within the community and the court, as the details of the young girl’s suffering and the conditions she endured were laid bare. As Ridge begins her sentence, the case leaves a lasting impression on the need for better support systems for those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges, particularly those caring for young children. The court’s decision to allow the possibility of parole perhaps reflects a consideration of Ridge’s issues and a belief in the potential for rehabilitation. However, the primary focus remained on justice for the 3-year-old girl, whose life was tragically cut short due to the actions of the one person who was supposed to protect her above all.

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