Stephanie Woods, 36, and Cody Mercer, 34, pleaded guilty Monday to endangering children charges in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court after their 20-month-old daughter was found severely malnourished, dehydrated, and covered in bedsores so severe they required surgery, authorities said.
Background
The toddler had been hospitalized for a "significant amount of time" after her birth due to a series of medical problems before being discharged in May 2025, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Elyse Deters said during the plea hearing, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The child was hospitalized again in November 2025 after suffering neglect-related issues.
According to a court filing obtained by Law&Crime, authorities discovered the victim severely malnourished and dehydrated, weighing just 13 pounds with bed sores covering her body when she was admitted to Children's Hospital. Her overall body temperature measured a dangerous 80 degrees at admission. Additionally, the toddler's feeding tube had reportedly been blocked.
Woods' attorney, Clyde Bennett II, said during Monday's hearing that his client had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder after her arrest and was undergoing treatment. Mercer's attorney, Bradley Fox, acknowledged that his client knew the family home was "in shambles" and that Woods' mental health problems were interfering with her ability to care for their daughter.
The Charges
Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count each of endangering children in connection with the abuse. In exchange for admitting their guilt, prosecutors dismissed two additional endangerment charges against each parent. Under plea agreements with the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, Woods and Mercer each received nine-month prison sentences.
"There was overwhelming evidence of guilt and serious, near-fatal injuries to an infant," Bennett said during the hearing. "My client was offered a very fair plea."
Fox told the court that despite knowing how dire the situation was, Mercer chose to stay out of the home. "He wasn't doing what he was supposed to do as a parent," Fox reportedly said.
Key Takeaways
- The 20-month-old victim weighed just 13 pounds when discovered and had a body temperature of 80 degrees upon hospital admission
- Both parents received nine-month prison sentences under plea agreements with prosecutors
- Two additional endangerment charges were dismissed in exchange for guilty pleas
- Woods has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder since her arrest and is undergoing treatment
- Mercer's attorney acknowledged his client knew the family home was "in shambles" but stayed away
What's Next
Woods and Mercer are scheduled to appear before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Wende Cross for their sentencing hearing Sept. 9. The child remains in the care of a family member following her parents' arrests, when a judge issued a no-contact order preventing them from contacting the victim.