Hayesville mom faces third criminal charge

ASHLAND — Alyssa Mae Edwards, the Hayesville mom accused of endangering her children by leaving them home alone with firearms, had her first in-person court appearance in the criminal case Tuesday.

Edwards previously pleaded not guilty to a felony-level child endangering charge and a misdemeanor child endangering charge in a complaint filed by Ashland County Prosecutor Chris Tunnell.

She since was indicted by an Ashland County Grand Jury on both of the original charges as well as a third charge, tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.

Authorities say Edwards left two kids home alone while she went to work March 3. Sometime in the next two hours, Edwards’ 8-year-old son shot her 4-year-old daughter to three times with a 22 caliber rifle, according to Tunnell. 

Edwards later returned home, inspected the girl’s wounds, cleaned up a bloody bedcover and went back to work before eventually taking the girl to the hospital. The 4-year-old is expected to recover fully, and both children are in custody of children’s services.

Through her attorney, Donald Wick, Edwards pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all three charges in the indictment. 

During Tuesday’s arraignment, Wick asked judge Ronald Forsthoefel to change the conditions of Edwards’ bond to allow her to have contact with her children if the Ashland County Juvenile Court deems it appropriate and beneficial to the children. 

“I understand that, but I think the state would also be concerned with any type of potential impact on the children as witnesses in this case and the influence mom could have on them in that regard,” Forsthoefel said. 

The judge denied the request for the time being but said he would be willing to consider a future request if the juvenile court does find it would be beneficial. 

Forsthoefel also denied a request from assistant prosecutor Victor Perez to increase Edward’s bond from $30,000 to $50,000. 

Perez argued bond originally was set based on one felony charge in the complaint and that Edwards now has been indicted on two felony charges. 

Forsthoefel responded by saying the highest level of offense has not changed and the bond will remain. 

Edwards posted bond last week. 

Forsthoefel scheduled Edwards’ case for trial July 10 with June 26 as the plea deadline.