Woman Who Abandoned Boy in Woods Avoids Prison Sentence

Ashley McGovern, 31, received a community payback order despite exposing the child to drugs and leaving him overnight in unsafe conditions.

Ashley McGovern abandoned a nine-year-old boy in Brock Wood, East Lothian, overnight in September 2022, leaving him without food, water, or proper clothing.
The boy, found 24 hours later, suffered brain injuries, other physical harm, and lasting effects requiring months of rehabilitation.
McGovern had exposed the child to drugs and alcohol before leaving him in the woods, and she later lied to police and the public about his whereabouts.
The court cited McGovern's mental health struggles, drug addiction, and demonstrated remorse as factors in sentencing her to a three-year community payback order instead of prison.
The judge warned McGovern that any breach of the order could result in her being sentenced to prison for the original offenses.