Scots woman abandoned terrified boy, 9, in woods then claimed child was missing

A woman in Scotland has been found guilty of abandoning a terrified young boy in the woods, then falsely claiming he had gone missing. Ashley McGovern drove to a remote area near her home in East Lothian and left the nine-year-old child alone, leading to a large-scale search operation. The boy, who was discovered 24 hours later by a dog walker, was found with no shoes or socks, brain injuries, and traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system.

McGovern appeared in the High Court in Glasgow, where she pleaded guilty to neglecting the boy, causing him severe injury and endangering his life. Initially facing an attempted murder charge, she was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The incident took place on September 9, 2022, after the child had spent time in the company of McGovern and others. Despite initially being described as in good spirits, he was abandoned in the woods with no provisions.

The search for the missing boy was initiated based on false claims made by McGovern, who sent a text to a man shortly after leaving the child alone. It was only after a resident heard his cries that the boy was finally located deep in the woods. The victim suffered physical injuries, including a suspected ankle fracture and brain injury, leading to seizures, sight issues, and mobility challenges. Medical tests later revealed the presence of cocaine and alcohol in his system.

McGovern’s defence advocate cited her history of drug misuse and difficulties in providing information. Despite a request to remain on bail, McGovern was remanded in custody for reports until the sentencing hearing in December. The boy, who has shown signs of improvement but still experiences weakness on his right side, was only able to leave the hospital in January 2023. The case highlighted the severe consequences of neglect and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

**Summary:**
The article reports on a disturbing case where a woman abandoned a young boy in the woods, leading to physical injuries and exposing him to harmful substances. The woman’s actions resulted in a search operation and legal proceedings, highlighting the gravity of neglect and its impact on victims. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children, from harm and ensuring that those responsible for such heinous acts are held accountable.