WYTHEVILLE, Va. (AP) — A Wythe County woman has pleaded guilty to child abuse in the death of her baby, who was found in a cave in January.
WDBJ-TV reports (http://bit.ly/vsi6Am ) that Ashley Meadows entered her plea Thursday. She faces up to five years in prison when she’s sentenced in January.
Meadows’ mother, Twila Meadows, has been charged with concealing the baby’s body. She is set to appear in court on Dec. 1.
The women testified in August that the baby was born dead Jan. 16 and hidden in the cave along Route 11 near Graham’s Forge. Twila Meadows led sheriff’s deputies to the body weeks later.
The medical examiner’s office said the baby was born alive and died some time after.
Meadows will remain out on bond until the sentencing.