U.S. Marshals Major Case Fugitive Captured in NC

Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, in coordination with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the USMS Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, on Thursday in North Carolina arrested a woman alleged to have fled western Maryland after being convicted in connection with the April 2021 death of her 10-month-old daughter.    

Ashley Nicole Franklin, 39, was arrested on a failure to appear warrant issued Aug. 13, 2025, by the Circuit Court for Washington County.  

Franklin was convicted Aug. 6, 2025, of first-degree child abuse resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, and neglect of a minor.  She was subsequently sentenced to serve a total of 100 years in prison and became a fugitive when she failed to appear for the service of her sentence.

After the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Franklin in Winston-Salem they transferred her to the custody of local law enforcement for processing. 

“Due to the serious nature of the underlying charges, the U.S. Marshals Service identified this as a Major Case and devoted extensive time, effort, and resources to facilitate this arrest,” said Patrick Brennan, Acting Commander of the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force. “Despite the challenges we faced during this interstate fugitive investigation, our deputies worked diligently with federal, state, and local partners to locate this fugitive and help bring her to justice.”  

Washington County Sheriff Brian K. Albert said, “The successful apprehension of Ashley Franklin is a testament to the strong partnerships that exist between law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. We are grateful to the United States Marshals Service and all of the agencies involved for their dedication and teamwork in locating and apprehending her. Because of those collaborative efforts, Ms. Franklin is being returned to Maryland to serve the sentence imposed following her conviction for her crime. Our commitment to seeking justice does not end with a conviction, and this case demonstrates that those who attempt to evade accountability will continue to be pursued.”

The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force is a Congressionally funded multi-agency task force whose mission is to focus resources and efforts on the reduction of violence within the National Capital Region. This organization seeks to accomplish its mission through the identification, investigation, and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community, while ensuring the application of equal justice, integrity and service for all.

agencies include the: U.S. Marshals Service; Annapolis Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Baltimore County Police Department; Baltimore Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Carroll County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Frederick County Sheriff’s Office; Frederick Police Department; Hagerstown Police Department; Harford County Sheriff’s Office; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force; Howard County Police Department; Howard County Sheriff’s Office; Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Maryland State Police; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.