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Nelson County mom pleads guilty in death of her 6-week-old baby

Photo: Contributed/Nelson County Sheriff's Office


CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A Nelson County judge found Autumn Woods, one of two parents charged with the death of their baby, guilty of voluntary manslaughter and felony child abuse on Tuesday. According to court records, the verdict came after a plea agreement.

On Dec. 10, 2024, officers responded to a 911 call regarding an unresponsive child on Taylors Creek Road in Afton, according to a release from the Nelson County Sheriff’s Department.

They arrived to find a 6-week-old boy, who they performed CPR on and transported to UVA Medical Center. Four days later, the child died.

An autopsy found the child had injuries that “were consistent with child abuse,” according to the release.

Woods and the baby’s father, Ethan Garfield, were arrested on May 20, 2025 and charged with felony homicide and felony child abuse or neglect.

Woods is out on bail as she awaits her April sentencing. Garfield still faces those charges.

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