OZARK, Ala. (WDNews) – A Dale County man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being found guilty of torturing his girlfriend’s children.
Howard Anderson was convicted on charges of aggravated child abuse and chemical endangerment of a child following a bench trial on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Judge William Filmore sentenced him the next day to three life sentences, along with an additional 60 years.
Investigators revealed that Anderson subjected his girlfriend’s children, ages four, seven, and nine, to prolonged abuse. The children testified that Anderson burned, choked, punched, drugged, and attempted to drown them. The victims had referred to Anderson as “dad” and considered him a father figure.
The abuse came to light in 2023 when a concerned citizen reported suspicious behavior to authorities, leading to an investigation and Anderson’s arrest.
Anderson’s girlfriend, Ashleigh Ableman, was also sentenced in the case. She received five years in prison followed by five years of probation for her involvement. However, Anderson, identified as the primary abuser, received a harsher sentence due to the severity of the crimes and his prior convictions in Florida and New Jersey.
Despite arguments from Anderson’s attorney citing inconsistencies in testimony and the age of prior convictions, the evidence presented at trial solidified his fate. Anderson now faces three consecutive life sentences, along with additional sentences for chemical endangerment charges.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children and reporting suspected abuse.
