Wisconsin Parents Ordered Takeout and Had Sex While Their Infant Starved to Death Beside Them, Judge Says — Both Now Headed to Prison

SUN PRAIRIE, WISCONSIN — A Wisconsin father has been sentenced to prison for starving his 3-week-old son to death — a tragedy prosecutors say unfolded as he and his girlfriend ordered food, ate, and even had sex while the newborn lay dying just feet away.

Infant Lost Over a Pound in Just Weeks as Parents Rejected Formula and Skipped Doctor Visits

Investigators say Dev’Kumar Keys, who was born weighing just over six pounds, had dropped to five pounds by the time he died on Feb. 1, 2024. An autopsy later confirmed he died of starvation and dehydration.

Both parents — 27-year-old De’Varius Keys and 22-year-old Taryn Strait — admitted they fed the baby almond milk instead of formula. Strait told police she refused to give her son any formula because she believed online videos claiming baby formulas contained “lead” that could be pulled out with magnets.

“Taryn stated that all of the baby formulas no matter what the brand had lead in it,” the criminal complaint said.

Doctors had warned them nearly immediately that the baby was losing weight and urgently needed to feed every two hours — but the parents ignored all follow-up calls, skipped appointments, and never rescheduled.

Parents Found Baby Blue and Limp — but Avoided 911 to “Save Money”

The fatal morning began around 2:30 a.m., when Strait checked on her son and noticed he looked blue and wasn’t moving. She later told investigators the baby “went limp” in her arms.

Instead of calling 911, the couple drove him to the hospital themselves, saying they were worried about ambulance costs. Dev’Kumar was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Prosecutors emphasized the staggering neglect:

“You protect and nourish your child,” Assistant District Attorney Will Davis said.
“Ms. Strait does none of those things.”

Parents Ate, Had Sex, and Ignored Their Starving Son, Judge Says

During sentencing, Judge Nicholas McNamara condemned Strait for prioritizing everything except her newborn.

“Ordering food and having sex while the starving baby was there,” the judge said.
“I cannot fathom that level of selfishness.”

Strait’s defense argued she struggled with mental health problems and addiction, and that Keys had been abusive. But prosecutors maintained the infant’s agonizing death came from weeks of neglect, not a single moment.

Keys and Strait eventually pleaded guilty to felony child neglect, each receiving eight years in prison followed by four years of probation.

CPS Failed to Act Despite Red Flags and Missed Appointments

The case has sparked outrage toward Dane County Child Protective Services, which had been alerted after the baby missed medical appointments and staff expressed concern.

A newly released summary report revealed CPS found “insufficient evidence” to substantiate neglect — closing the case and offering no services or follow-up.

“The agency closed the case… and no service referrals were made,” the report stated.

CPS has declined to comment further, citing confidentiality laws.

A Preventable Death That Raised Questions Throughout Wisconsin

As both parents head to prison, the death of Dev’Kumar Keys continues to raise questions about parental responsibility, CPS oversight failures, and how misinformation — like online formula conspiracies — can lead to deadly outcomes.

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