Ashley Nicole Franklin, 39, is currently sought by federal authorities after failing to appear for her scheduled sentencing in Washington County Circuit Court. Franklin was previously convicted by a jury on multiple charges, including first-degree child abuse resulting in death and involuntary manslaughter, stemming from the 2021 death of her infant daughter. Although she had been released on a five-thousand-dollar bond pending sentencing, she failed to return to court on August 13, 2025. A judge subsequently proceeded with the proceedings in her absence and handed down a one-hundred-year prison sentence. Federal investigators now classify Franklin as an active fugitive and are conducting a comprehensive manhunt. Authorities indicate that Franklin maintains strong ties across Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia, and preliminary reports suggest she may have previously attempted to flee to the Atlanta metropolitan area. She was last observed in Hagerstown on the date of her missed court appearance. The U.S. Marshals Service is coordinating the ongoing investigation and has authorized a reward of up to five thousand dollars for credible information that assists in locating and apprehending her. Members of the public who possess any details regarding her whereabouts are strongly encouraged to contact the Marshals Service immediately at 1-877-WANTED2. All tips are treated as confidential, and investigators emphasize that any information could be instrumental in bringing the case to a close.