Washington foster parents avoid prison for severe neglect

WASHINGTON — Two rural Washington residents who cared for nine children avoided prison Thursday for the severe neglect of one of them.

Foster parents Ashley and Joshua Drew, both 37, agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment but will receive suspended prison sentences, in part because they did not have prior criminal convictions.

The charges stemmed from a situation in October 2023, in which the Drews transported the victim — then a 16-year-old boy — to a local hospital for what they claimed was high blood sugar, according to court records.

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Hospital staff noted the boy’s body was covered in bruises and large scrapes and that he was significantly underweight at 76 pounds.

The boy was immediately transferred to a University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, where he received intensive care for "critically high sodium levels" and other unspecified issues, court records show.

A subsequent investigation by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services revealed the boy was often locked in his bedroom, which had urine and fecal stains on the floor and a mattress. It had a camera that continuously recorded him.

"All other children's bedrooms appeared to be what you would expect of a child's room, with the exception of (the boy's) containing the barest of amenities," according to documents associated with a search of the home southeast of town.

Other court records indicated there were nine children in the house but did not specify how many were foster, adopted or biological children of the Drews.

The Drews alleged that the boy often lied about being ill, and that his behavior made him unsafe to be near the other children. They often kept food locked away so that he could not take it without permission.

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The Drews had "self-diagnosed" the boy with several health disorders, including autism and a puberty development disorder, court records show. Two years earlier, the Drews were instructed by an unspecified person to seek further assistance from hormone specialists for the boy, but they didn't.

In the days before they took him to a hospital, the boy's mobility and cognition were "notably diminished and progressively getting worse," to the point that the boy "lost mobility in his legs," court records show.

During one meal, the boy fell out of his chair repeatedly.

"Joshua and Ashley elected to have (the boy) wear a helmet due to him continuously falling, rather than taking him to see a medical professional," court records show.

In a written statement from the victim — who is now 18 and attends a Cedar Rapids high school — he alleged the Drews abused him mentally and physically for years and often withheld water and food.

"Some of the things they said to me made me feel like I didn't belong in the world," said the victim's statement, which was read aloud in court Thursday.

He asked that the Drews be incarcerated "and not be in charge of kids anymore."

A spokesperson for the Health and Human Services Department said the Drews "are not currently licensed foster parents" but declined to comment further about the situation.

The Drews initially agreed to plead guilty in exchange for deferred judgments, in which they would not be formally convicted of the crimes if they abided by the terms of their probations.

But District Judge Shawn Showers said Thursday he would not defer judgments due to the severity of the crimes. An investigative report compiled by the Iowa Department of Corrections had recommended Ashley Drew be sent to prison.

After further negotiations Thursday afternoon, the Drews agreed to be convicted if they avoided incarceration.

Joshua Drew pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child endangerment charge and was sentenced to two years of probation. Court records indicated Ashley Drew made decisions about how to care for the victim and that Joshua Drew followed those decisions.

Ashley Drew is expected to plead guilty to a felony child endangerment charge and to be sentenced to five years of probation. A court hearing is set for Feb. 21.

Washington County Attorney Nathan L. Repp, released a statement to The Gazette Thursday afternoon.

"As with any case, our priorities are to seek justice for our victim and hold the defendant accountable and this disposition allowed us to accomplish both. We are fortunate the victim was able to make a speedy recovery and is in a safe and protected place,“ Repp said in the statement.

Comments: (319) 368-8541; jared.strong@thegazette.com