Ohio Mother Sentenced After Starving Adopted Autistic Son to Death and Chaining Him to Cot in Basement
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, OHIO — A mother from Ohio has been sentenced to the maximum 15 years in prison for the horrific starvation and abuse of her adopted 16-year-old son, who was found chained and emaciated in the family’s basement.
According to court records, 53-year-old Tamara Moore pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in the death of her adopted son, Jeremiah Moore, a child with autism. Prosecutors described the case as one of “pure depravity.”
Discovery of a Starved Child
Authorities discovered Jeremiah’s body in February 2024 inside the basement of Moore’s home on Belgreen Lane in Springfield Township. He was found lying in a closet wearing only a t-shirt and a soiled diaper, with clear signs of restraint on his wrists.
Prosecutors said Jeremiah had been chained to a cot and deprived of food for days leading up to his death. A medical examination revealed there was “not a trace of food in any part of his digestive tract — not in his stomach, not in his intestines, nothing.”
Jeremiah, who was nonverbal, had been kept isolated and neglected for an extended period, officials said.
“He was treated worse than an animal,” former Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers stated. “He was unwanted, unloved, and denied even the most basic necessities of life.”
Sentencing and Plea Agreement
As part of a plea deal, Moore avoided a potential murder conviction but received the maximum sentence allowed by law for her charges. Her boyfriend, 59-year-old William Turnage, who also participated in the abuse, was sentenced to 11 to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to the same offenses.
Turnage agreed to testify against Moore, leading prosecutors to drop additional charges of murder and failure to report a crime.
Both defendants admitted to knowingly keeping the teen locked in deplorable conditions without food or proper care.
Prosecutors Condemn ‘Unimaginable Cruelty’
During sentencing, prosecutors described the scene as one of “unimaginable cruelty.” Jeremiah’s body was discovered surrounded by filth, and the smell of human waste permeated the basement.
“Words alone cannot describe the level of depravity displayed by these two defendants,” Prosecutor Powers said. “My heart breaks for this little boy.”
Authorities believe Jeremiah’s death was a prolonged result of deliberate starvation, neglect, and physical restraint.
Remembering Jeremiah Moore
An obituary for Jeremiah described him as “a gentle soul with a smile that could light up a room.” Despite his challenges, he was remembered as a child who loved to be outside and spend time with his dog and cat.
“He didn’t let his delays keep him from living life to the fullest,” the obituary read.
Community members have since placed tributes outside the Moore residence, vowing that Jeremiah’s memory will serve as a reminder of the need for stronger protections for vulnerable children.
Ongoing Reflection
Both Moore and Turnage are currently serving their sentences in state correctional facilities. Prosecutors say the case highlights systemic gaps in oversight for children with disabilities placed in adoptive homes.
What are your thoughts on this tragic case and how the system can better protect children like Jeremiah? Share your perspective at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.