A woman was arrested following a child neglect investigation in Mercer County that lasted more than a year, Accounting to court records. Ashley Smith, 30, was charged with concealment of a minor and child neglect resulting in injury after a Child Protective Services case was opened in April 2023 and lasted until July 2024 due to reported drug use and living conditions while she and Kevin Cochran were in custody of their three children, according to a criminal complaint filed in the Mercer County Magistrate Court. The children were taken into custody of Child Protective Services, Cochran was taken to Southern Regional Jail. A warrant was later issued for Cochran and Smith for charges in Mercer County relating to the case. Smith was arrested and taken to Southern Regional Jail where she is being held on a $25,000 bond.