Mother Who Broiled Baby In Oven Is Up For Early Release From Jail

In 2002, screams were heard from inside a Prattville, Alabama home. Robert Smith rushed inside the home, to find 14-month-old Ashley inside of an OVEN.

Hers mother, Melissa Wright, had removed all the racks from the oven, set it to broil, then turned it up to 600 degrees –  and put her child inside—head first. Coincidentally, the family resided on a street called Harm’s Way.

Ashley received third degree burns and had to have 28 surgeries over the next 10 years. Melissa initially told authorities that Ashley fell from her arms as she was cooking, rolled into the oven, and the door shut closed behind her.

In 2003, Melissa was sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty to attempted murder and just weeks ago, Melissa was denied early release.

Ashley and her attorney asked the board to delay the mother’s parole to the maximum extent of 5 years. Her attorney expressed their wishes for Melissa to stay behind bars – at least until such time that Ashley is in her early twenties.

Shockingly, Ashley’s own sister Courtney Brenson, who was 8 at the time of the incident, is standing by their mother. Courtney reportedly pleaded to the court, “I went to visit her multiple times. She went through classes for mental health. She has been through child-abuse classes. She has actually got the help she needs. She is on the right medication to help her with her mental illness. I feel like she has changed. When I go visit her, I can actually see the difference in her.”

However Ashley disagreed with her sister. “I think Melissa should stay in prison a few more years before she gets out,” she told the court. She mentioned she has a niece and nephew who are 8 and 27 months old. “They are about the same ages as me and Courtney when this happened. I honestly do not trust her and I’m afraid for their safety. I can’t imagine anybody being in as much pain as I was in.”

Ashley told the court, “I do not hate Melissa, but I do not love her. I forgave Melissa.”