Seattle Woman Sentenced for Death of Newborn Baby Exposed to Drugs in Homeless Shelter
Seattle Today Newsroom
September 20, 2026
Photo Credit: David Veksler
Ashlee “Montana” Creighton, 35, has been sentenced to roughly four years in prison following the death of her newborn, who was exposed to drugs and starved in a South Lake Union homeless shelter. Creighton pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, stepping down from an initial second-degree murder charge.
The baby, referred to in a legal filing as A.C., was born in May 2024 at the Civil Hotel, a former motel operated by CoLEAD as a low-barrier shelter. Authorities stated that Creighton exposed the infant to fentanyl and methamphetamine while failing to feed her.
During her sentencing, Creighton spoke through tears about her struggle with fentanyl addiction, expressing deep remorse. She shared that her late daughter gave her the gift of sobriety and that she is committed to improving every day.
Margaret McGinty, Creighton’s defense attorney, requested time served, arguing that while her client made terrible decisions, she had shown progress while in custody. McGinty emphasized that drug addiction is not inherently a crime in Washington and suggested there was no concrete proof the baby suffered.
Conversely, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Anderson pushed for an eight-year sentence. He argued that during the five days during which the infant was suffering, Creighton prioritized her own needs, eating outside, socializing, journaling, and obtaining drugs, rather than caring for her child. Anderson added that shelter social workers were readily available to call for help, but Creighton hid the birth to avoid hospital involvement and CPS intervention, given her active drug use.
Police were not notified until May 25, 2024, when they responded to a call regarding a reported stillborn. Upon arrival, officers noted signs of decomposition and found a calendar with entries that read “baby girl born” on May 18 and “Baby Girl RIP” on May 23. The entry on the date of death included poetic references to the Moon, Jupiter, Neptune, and Sagittarius, accompanied by notes referencing astrology.
Search warrants later revealed a video on Creighton’s phone showing the newborn shortly after birth, text exchanges with another shelter resident referring to the child, and internet searches detailing home births, fentanyl use, placental detachment, and Washington CPS reporting laws.
Creighton’s mother, Malia Zebrowski, addressed the court, recounting how fentanyl tore her family apart and noting she never knew her daughter was pregnant.
Ultimately, Judge William Dixon handed down a 78-month sentence followed by 36 months of community supervision. Factoring in time already served, Creighton will be incarcerated for roughly three to four additional years. Judge Dixon emphasized to Creighton that a baby depends on their parent for everything, and accountability rests entirely on them.
The Civic Hotel was leased by Seattle and King County as a shelter between 2020 and 2024. The building’s owners are currently suing the city over property damage and drug contamination linked to the shelter’s operation.
