A mother from Douglas County, Georgia, aged 35, has been faced with a felony murder charge after the death of her three-year-old daughter.
According to authorities, Uriha Ridge, reportedly under the influence of cocaine and marijuana, led her two children, a three-year-old named Alina and a seven-year-old named Elijah, into the woods near Foxhall Resort in freezing conditions on January 16, 2024, around midnight.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a distress call from Ridge just before midday, which guided authorities to the family with the assistance of resort staff.
The children were discovered in scant clothing, sopping wet, after enduring rain and then sub-zero temperatures overnight.
Ridge maintains that she lost her way in the woods, but the investigation uncovered that Ridge had a cell phone that was fully operational and charged at the time of their rescue.
Alina’s death at a nearby hospital has been linked to extensive exposure to the harsh weather. The health status of the seven-year-old sibling, who was treated for related conditions, has not been disclosed.
Court records reveal Ridge’s history of child cruelty. In 2022, details in a warrant suggest she allegedly beat Alina when the child was only two years old. Also, she reportedly dropped the toddler during a severe instance of intoxication.
Ridge was previously released on a bond and retained custody of her children. In light of Alina’s death, authorities have called for the revocation of the bond.
Ridge has been charged with two counts of first-degree cruelty to children, two counts of second-degree cruelty to children, and one count of felony murder.
Currently, Ridge is being held without a bond in the Douglas County Jail, awaiting her first court appearance.
Ridge’s son Elijah is now in the care of other family members.