Naomi Holloway, 21, sat behind glass in a Hamilton County courtroom Friday, accused of starving her young daughter over months and abandoning the toddler home alone during overnight work shifts that lasted up to 12 hours, authorities said.
The child was just 2 years old when she was brought to Cincinnati Children's Hospital on Jan. 20. According to a probable cause affidavit, the little girl weighed only 17 pounds—a fraction of what doctors consider healthy for her age. Medical professionals determined her critically low weight resulted from being "deprived of adequate food and water over a prolonged period of time."
A normal weight range for a 2-year-old girl, according to Cincinnati Children's Hospital standards, is between 22 and 32 pounds.
Background
The case came to light after hospital staff flagged the child's condition. Beyond her alarming weight loss, examining physicians documented visible injuries consistent with severe neglect—the girl's skin was peeling from her buttock area, the affidavit stated.
Cincinnati police began investigating after receiving notification from hospital personnel. Detectives say they interviewed Holloway, who allegedly admitted to providing only limited food and water to her daughter over an extended timeframe. She also acknowledged leaving the child home alone and unsupervised while she worked overnight shifts from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., according to the criminal complaint.
The girl, now 3 years old, has since been placed in protective custody.
The Charges
Holloway was arrested and charged with endangering children, jail records confirm. She is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on $50,000 bond.
According to court records reviewed by Law&Crime, Holloway also has pending charges appearing unrelated to this case—including criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and operating a vehicle while under the influence. Those matters appear on her docket separately from the endangerment allegations.
The child abuse charge carries serious penalties in Ohio, where courts can impose significant prison time for parents or guardians who fail to provide adequate care, food, or supervision to minors under their custody.
Key Takeaways
- The 2-year-old weighed just 17 pounds when hospitalized—less than half the normal weight range for her age group
- A probable cause affidavit states she suffered skin peeling from neglect and was deprived of adequate food and water over a prolonged period
- Holloway allegedly admitted to leaving her daughter home alone unsupervised during overnight work shifts lasting up to 12 hours
- She faces one count of endangering children, with bond set at $50,000
- The child has been placed in protective custody and is now 3 years old
What's Next
Holloway has a hearing scheduled for July 6 on the endangerment charges. Her separate court appearance Wednesday addressed unrelated pending matters including criminal trespass and other offenses.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office continues building its case, which will rely heavily on medical records, the probable cause affidavit, and Holloway's alleged admissions to investigators.