Pr. William woman who left daughter in creek could serve time in mental hospital

A Prince William County woman who left her adopted 13-year-old daughter for dead in a frigid creek might suffer from mental illness that would require her to begin serving her sentence in a hospital instead of prison, her defense attorney said Friday.

Alfreedia L. Gregg-Glover, 45, was scheduled to be sentenced for killing and abusing Alexis "Lexie" Agyepong-Glover and of lying to police about it. But the final chapter in a case that revealed shortcomings in the county's policies on child abuse and runaways was put on hold.

Gregg-Glover sparked a massive police search in January, when she said that Lexie had run away. The girl's body was found days later in a Woodbridge area creek. Police said Gregg-Glover had dumped her there, alive, and the girl died of drowning and exposure to the cold.

Gregg-Glover's attorney, John V. Notarianni, said in court that his client had instructed him to not present evidence on her behalf during the sentencing hearing. He said a nurse at the county jail had expressed concerns about Gregg-Glover's mental health.

Judge Craig D. Johnston scheduled a hearing for Thursday to allow the nurse to testify. He said he will decide at that hearing whether to order a mental health evaluation.

Gregg-Glover had been evaluated and was found fit to stand trial. In July, she pleaded guilty to felony murder and other charges that carry a maximum sentence of 51 years in prison.

But under Virginia law, a defendant who is found to be mentally ill after being convicted but before sentencing may be sent to a mental hospital instead of prison. Once treatment is completed, the defendant would finish serving the sentence.

Prince William Commonwealth's Attorney Paul B. Ebert said that Gregg-Glover is intelligent and that she has been found to be anxious but competent.

"There is no indication to me that she is mentally ill," Ebert said after the hearing. He said he would seek a "very harsh sentence."

After Lexie's death, The Washington Post found that bus drivers, neighbors and others had suspected abuse and reported it to county agencies. The girl was seen bruised and cut, being driven off in the trunk of a car and at bus stop wearing only a diaper. But she was never removed from the home.

Several investigations were launched to determine whether the case was mishandled. One county social services employee was fired, and two others were disciplined. Three police employees also were disciplined.

Marlene Williams, a bus driver who came to the hearing, was among those who had reported the abuse. She told police and Lexie's principal that Gregg-Glover drove Lexie off in the trunk.

Williams said she thinks Gregg-Glover is stalling. "She doesn't want to go to a prison," Williams said. "She did an awful, terrible thing to Lexie, and she wants to go to the mental hospital."