A Gallia County, Ohio mom could spend the rest of her life in prison after being convicted of the murder of her baby. Gallia County Prosecuting Attorney, Jason D. Holdren, announced the conviction. And it turns out this was not her first violent crime.
Back on July 23, officers arrested the Crown City, Ohio woman after an incident at a home on Double Creek Road in Ohio Township. That afternoon, a call came into the Gallia Count 911 Center about an infant with a gunshot wound.
When first responders arrived on the scene they discovered a 16-month-old girl with a gunshot wound to the head. The child was still breathing. Gallia County Sheriff’s Deputies rendered aid until Gallia County EMS arrived on the scene. An ambulance transported the child to a Huntington, West Virginia trauma center.
Made A Plan To Shoot Baby
Investigators said the child’s mother, Joyceann Louise Ruane, 25, admitted to shooting the child after an argument with the child’s father. Ruane acknowledged that she’d put together a plan, retrieved the weapon, and shot the little girl. The prosecutor initially charged Ruane with attempted aggravated murder and held on a $2 million bond.
At the time, Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin said, ” Our hearts are broken today as we continue to push forward and seek justice for this innocent and beautiful young child. I ask that you continue to pray for this little girl as well as for our first responders who have worked and will continue to work this investigation.”
The infant died from her injuries the next day. Prosecutors upgraded the charges to aggravated murder with a firearm specification and having weapons while under a disability. Ruane was convicted of both charges in Gallia County Common Pleas Court on Thursday.
Stabbed Man In The Back
Incredibly, this was not Ruane’s first conviction for a violent crime. Four years ago, when she was just 21, Ruane stabbed a man in the back at a homeless camp in Ashtabula. She faced charges of felonious assault for an attack on Steven Dratwa, 56, of Ashtabula. At the time, she told police she was defending her husband.
Ruane pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted felonious assault. Ashtabula County Common Pleas Judge Gary Yost sentenced Ruane to two years of intensive supervision.”
She’s due back in Gallia County Common Pleas Court on February 17, 2021 for sentencing. Judge Margaret Evans could impose up to life without parole on the aggravated murder charge.
The State of Ohio said it will seek the maximum penalty.