Two Parents Plea Guilty to Child Neglect | Cincinnati News

A heartbreaking case in Springfield Township: parents Stephanie Woods and Cody Mercer pleaded guilty to child abuse after their 20-month-old daughter was found severely malnourished, dehydrated, and weighing just 13 pounds — a drastic drop from six months prior. The toddler, hospitalized since birth with medical issues, suffered bed sores and had a blocked feeding tube upon readmission last November. Woods, diagnosed with major depressive disorder and currently in treatment, faced criticism for her mental health struggles, while Mercer’s lawyer admitted he knew conditions were dire but failed to step in. Both received nine-month prison sentences as part of a plea deal, with sentencing finalized on September 9th. Thankfully, the child is now safely in the care of a family member — a small glimmer of hope amid a deeply tragic situation. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/f988bcf142c534a2