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Written by: E. George
Published October 31, 2024 @ 3:20 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence against/neglect of children.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. – Uriha Ridge, a 29-year-old mother, recently pleaded guilty to the felony murder of her 3-year-old daughter, Alina, who died of hyperthermia after freezing to death in the woods.
Superior Court Judge Deah Warren sentenced Ridge to life in prison with the possibility of parole. “And I will sentence you to count one, to felony murder, life,” she stated.
The judge expressed deep sorrow that the case had reached such a tragic conclusion, noting numerous opportunities to prevent the tragedy. “It is with profound sadness that this is where we had to be,” she remarked.
The circumstances surrounding Alina’s death were compounded by Ridge’s troubling history. Prosecutor Victoria Hicks revealed that just two years before the incident, Ridge had been involved in a domestic disturbance at a bowling alley, where she was accused of slapping and beating her 7-year-old son, Elijah.
Witnesses indicated that she had also dropped Alina during that incident. Despite these incidents, Ridge was allowed to retain custody of her children.
During the night leading up to Alina’s death, Ridge, allegedly under the influence of cocaine and marijuana, kept her children in a wooded area at the Foxhall Resort for over 11 hours, with rain falling and temperatures plunging into the 20s.
“Elijah described trying to warm his sister up by covering her with leaves,” Hicks testified, adding that both children informed their mother they were cold, only to be told to remain quiet.
Elijah eventually realized that Alina was unresponsive. “The cause of death in this case was hypothermia. She froze to death,” Hicks stated.
Workers discovered Ridge and her children the following morning, leading to her arrest. Although Ridge did not directly address the court, her attorney, Alison Frutoz, spoke on her behalf.
Frutoz noted that Ridge was high on drugs and battling mental illness at the time of the incident. “And she has been tragically remorseful as any mother who has done something that has led to the death of her child,” Frutoz conveyed.
Judge Warren expressed her heartbreak not only for Alina but also for Elijah, who witnessed the traumatic events that night. “And my heart absolutely breaks for the realities of what he will deal with,” she lamented.
Ridge’s attorney said she wanted to write a letter to the court but just couldn’t do it so she asked her attorney to speak for her.
She said Ridge took the plea deal to show everyone how sorry she was.