A Logan County Common Pleas Court jury convicted Abby L. Small, 35, of West Mansfield of felony child endangering and related charges Thursday, Feb. 26, stemming from the severe malnutrition of her young daughter.
The case began Nov. 15, 2024, when deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, working with Logan County Children’s Services, went to Small’s residence to conduct a welfare check on her children.
According to testimony and court records, deputies observed Small unloading groceries from her vehicle when they arrived. Upon noticing law enforcement, she reportedly hurried inside and shut the door.
Deputies attempted to make contact, but authorities said Small refused to allow them inside and barricaded herself in the home. Concerned about the children’s safety, deputies used a door code to unlock the residence. Small attempted to block their entry, and some force was used to gain access.
Inside the home, deputies discovered a then-4-year-old girl in need of immediate medical care. The child was transported to Mary Rutan Hospital and later transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, where she was treated for severe malnutrition and injuries.
A Logan County grand jury indicted Small on Jan. 14 on charges of endangering children, a third-degree felony; endangering children, a first-degree misdemeanor; and obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor.
During trial, Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Nathan Yohey presented testimony from a physician at Nationwide Children’s Hospital who treated the child. The doctor testified the girl was suffering from potentially life-threatening malnutrition in November 2024.
Jurors determined the child suffered serious physical harm as a result of Small’s reckless creation of a substantial risk to her health and safety in violation of a duty of care. The jury returned a guilty verdict on the felony child endangering charge, along with guilty verdicts on the misdemeanor child endangering and obstructing official business counts.
The obstructing charge stemmed from Small’s refusal to allow deputies to see the children during the welfare check.
Defense attorney Griff Nowicki of Dayton argued the state failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Following the verdict, Judge Kevin P. Braig revoked Small’s bond and ordered her remanded to the Logan County Jail. Sentencing is scheduled for March 31, 2026.
