Ohio Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in 14-Year-Old’s Stabbing Death

Ohio Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in 14-Year-Old’s Stabbing Death
On February 18, 2026, Ashley Strasbourg was sentenced in Lucas County Common Pleas Court after pleading guilty in connection to the 2025 stabbing death of a teenager in Toledo, Ohio.
The victim was identified as 14-year-old Xander Epps.
Epps died on August 23, 2025 after being stabbed in the chest in the Point Place neighborhood. Investigators said the teen ran to a McDonald’s at North Summit and 124th streets seeking help before being transported to the hospital, where he later died.
In September 2025, Strasbourg was indicted on charges including involuntary manslaughter and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. She had previously pleaded not guilty and was scheduled for trial on March 9, 2026.
On February 18, she withdrew her not guilty plea and entered guilty pleas to involuntary manslaughter, unlawful sexual misconduct with a minor, and contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a child.
The court sentenced her to 30 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter and 30 months in prison for unlawful sexual misconduct with a minor. Those terms will be served consecutively, for a total of 60 months. She also received 180 days in jail for contributing to the delinquency of a child, to be served concurrently.
She was granted 122 days of jail-time credit and was remanded to the custody of the Lucas County Sheriff for transport to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Because of her conviction for a sexually oriented offense, the court classified Strasbourg as a Tier II sex offender. She must register for 25 years and verify her address in person every 180 days. She will also be subject to community notification requirements. Mandatory post-release control includes one to three years for involuntary manslaughter and five years for unlawful sexual misconduct with a minor.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors entered a nolle prosequi on two additional counts.
Another teenager, John Jackson, was indicted on murder and felonious assault charges in connection with Epps’ death and is being tried as an adult. His trial is scheduled for March 3. Bond was set at $150,000, with electronic monitoring required if released.

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