Springfield Township, OH – An Ohio man was sentenced Monday to 11 to 15½ years in prison for the death of his girlfriend’s 16-year-old son with autism, who was left restrained without food in a 56-degree basement, authorities said.
Horrific Conditions Leading to Death
According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, William Turnage, 59, pleaded guilty on July 31 to involuntary manslaughter and endangering children. As part of his plea deal, a murder charge was dropped, and he will testify against 53-year-old Tamara Moore, the boy’s mother and Turnage’s girlfriend at the time, who is set to go on trial for murder on Sept. 29.
Prosecutors described the teen, Jeremiah Moore, as tied down to a cot in a basement utility room on Feb. 6, 2024, wearing only a diaper with no food in his stomach, and unable to stand in the confined space Cincinnati Enquirer.
Evidence of Abuse and Neglect
Investigators reported marks on Jeremiah’s wrists and neck, indicating he had been restrained. The basement temperature was measured at 56 degrees, and the teen, who was nonverbal, relied entirely on adults for care.
Springfield Township police Sgt. Rami Khayo stated: “I’ve never seen a case that’s this horrific with the suffering that they put him through and with him not being able to even verbalize the pain or suffering he was going through” Cincinnati Enquirer.
Apology and Court Response
Turnage apologized in court, claiming he was unaware of the extent of Jeremiah’s suffering and wishing he had been more “proactive.” Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers rejected his claims, saying:
“You’re nothing but a monster, sir. You’re going to have to live with this for the rest of your life” Cincinnati Enquirer.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Tamara Moore was arrested April 12, 2024, about two months after her son’s death. Turnage was found and detained four days later. Then-Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers condemned the defendants, stating:
“Words alone cannot describe the level of depravity displayed by these two defendants. My heart breaks for this little boy. He was treated worse than an animal, forced to live in a basement closet unwanted, unloved, and denied the most basic of necessities” Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
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