No parole for Millbrook mom who put baby in hot oven

Ashley Smith faced a panel of strangers Tuesday and asked them to keep her mother in prison.

Smith, 15, addressed the Alabama Pardons and Paroles Board. When Ashley was 14 months old, her mother, Melissa Wright, placed her in an oven set on broil. The act took place at the family’s home in Millbrook, on a street called Harm’s Way.

Ashley received third-degree burns and started on a path of surgery after surgery for 10 years. Ashley has made a remarkable recovery, having survived 28 surgeries in her young life.

Wright pleaded guilty to attempted murder charges on Aug. 21, 2003, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Tuesday was Wright’s first chance at parole. Wright did not attend the parole hearing, following board policy. She was denied parole until 2021, the maximum delay.

Board members Cliff Walker and Eddie Cook Jr. huddled on the dais for a few moments, following emotional testimony from family asking parole be granted and from Ashley seeking the denial, before announcing their decision. Ashley, wearing a blue dress with lace top and a silver cross necklace, seemed to let out a breath. Across the board room her sister, Courtney Brenson, rushed out of the room in tears. Brenson was 8 years old when Wright put Ashley in the oven and made an emotional plea to the board to grant parole.

Wright has served 13 years and nine months of her sentence

That is long enough for Wright to be separated from her family, Brenson told the panel. Wright was mentally ill at the time of the accident, she said.

Ashley Smith survives, thrives after childhood horror

"I've went to visit her multiple times," Brenson said. "She has went through classes for mental health. She has been through child-abuse classes. She has actually got the help that she needs. She is on the right medication to help her with her mental illness.I feel like she has changed. When I go visit her I can actually see the difference in her."

Wright's brother, Danny Jones, also addressed the board and said Wright could live with him and he would make sure she took her medicine and he would take her to any required doctor's office visits.

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District Attorney Randall Houston gave the board background information on the case, in asking for parole being denied a period of five years, the maximum delay state law affords. On June 10, 2002, Wright removed the racks from the oven and set the thermostat on broil, he said. Previous court testimony showed the temperature of the oven had been set on 600 degrees. Wright then placed Ashley in the oven head first. Ashley's father, Robert Smith, heard her screams from outside the home, rushed and pulled her from the oven, Houston said.

Houston showed photos of Ashley's recovery process during his presentation. It's a case that has lingered with him. He showed the board a photo of Ashley, swathed in bandages, as she visited his office just after the first series of operations.

"The reason this is my favorite picture is because of her expression," Houston said. "She's an infant, she's been horribly burned. She's in tremendous pain. But look at her expression, she still has that little smile on her face. She's a fighter, she's a survivor. She has a beautiful smile, even now."

Then it was Ashley's turn.

"I think Melissa should stay in prison a few more years before she gets out," she said in a quiet but strong voice. She told the board she has a niece and nephew that are 8-years-old and 27 months old respectively. "They are about the same ages as me and Courtney when this happened. I honestly do not trust her and I'm afraid for their safety. I can't imagine anybody being in as much pain as I was in. And now I have a great life thanks to my mom, stepdad and brothers and sisters.

"I do not hate Melissa, but I do not love her. I forgave Melissa."

Houston had strong words to wrap up his testimony.

"While there may be a special place in hell for Melissa Wright, there is no place for her in Ashley's life or in our community," Houston said.

Since the incident, Ashley has lived with her aunt on her father's side, Rhonda Zaffina, who is her legal guardian. The family lives in Autauga County where Ashley is looking forward to starting her freshman year at Marbury High School this fall.