Fargo woman pleads guilty to child neglect

By David Olson

February 26, 2017 at 11:52 PM

FARGO-A Fargo woman pleaded guilty on Monday, Feb. 27, in Cass County District Court to a felony charge of child neglect in a case involving a 5-month-old child.

Ashley Dawn Smith was sentenced to 117 days, which she was given credit for having served.

She was also ordered to pay $560 in fees.

Smith allowed her child to be watched by someone knowing it was not a safe situation for the child, according to information provided during Monday's plea hearing.

A co-defendant in the case, Christopher Lee Olson, earlier pleaded guilty to a felony charge of child neglect or abuse and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Police were called to a local hospital in April 2016 by nursing staff who believed a 5-month-old with multiple bruises and a significant head injury was the victim of child abuse, court documents state.

An emergency room doctor told police a brain scan indicated evidence of an old brain bleed and a new brain bleed, as well as a skull fracture.

Olson claimed at the time that the baby fell out of a rocker.

By David Olson

Dave Olson is a reporter, photographer and occasional videographer. He graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a degree in mass communications, and during his time at The Forum he has covered many beats, from cops and courts to business and education. Currently is writing business stories, but jumps on daily news as needed. He’s also written about UFOs, ghosts, dinosaur bones and the dwarf planet Pluto. You may reach Dave at 701-241-5555, or by email at dolson@forumcomm.com.

Fargo woman pleads guilty to child neglect

FARGO-A Fargo woman pleaded guilty on Monday, Feb. 27, in Cass County District Court to a felony charge of child neglect in a case involving a 5-month-old child.Ashley Dawn Smith was sentenced to 117 days, which she was given credit for having se...