Sun Prairie, Wisconsin – A heartbreaking case of extreme child neglect has reached its legal conclusion as a Wisconsin father has been sentenced to prison for the starvation death of his newborn son. Authorities say the child, only three weeks old, suffered severe and fatal malnutrition while his parents ordered food and focused on their own needs instead of feeding him.
Incident Overview
De’Varius D. Keys, 27, will serve eight years in prison, followed by four years of probation, for the death of his infant son Dev’Kumar Keys, according to court documents. His girlfriend and the child’s mother, 22-year-old Taryn L. Strait, received the same sentence last month. Both pleaded guilty to felony child neglect for their roles in the tragedy.
According to the criminal complaint, which was detailed in a report obtained from Sun Prairie authorities, the baby died on February 1, 2024, after days of rapid weight loss and inadequate feeding. The integrated source overview of the case can be found here, as investigators outlined the devastating circumstances.
Timeline Leading to the Infant’s Death
An autopsy revealed that Dev’Kumar weighed just five pounds, having lost more than a pound since his birth. Instead of appropriate feeding, investigators found the parents were giving him almond milk, despite repeated medical warnings about the child’s declining health.
Doctors had already expressed concern during an early checkup shortly after the baby’s birth. Medical staff instructed the parents to feed the infant every two hours and scheduled a follow-up appointment two weeks later. However, the couple never showed up and ignored all subsequent calls and messages.
Dane County Child Protective Services attempted to contact the parents several times.
Despite multiple voicemails left for them, no one answered. When staff finally reached Strait and tried to schedule new appointments, she reportedly dismissed the offers as “too short of notice.”
Parents’ Beliefs and Decisions
Investigators learned that Strait refused to provide the newborn with formula due to her belief that the products contained harmful contaminants.
According to the complaint:
“Taryn stated that all of the baby formulas no matter what the brand had lead in it. She would watch videos online of people putting magnets into the baby formula and pulling out lead.”
On the morning of the child’s death, around 2:30 a.m., Strait noticed her son looked blue and unresponsive in his bassinet. She picked him up and he “went limp.” Instead of calling 911, the couple drove to the hospital themselves because they were worried about the cost of an ambulance.
Medical staff attempted life-saving measures, but Dev’Kumar could not be revived.
Courtroom Testimony and Sentencing Reaction
During sentencing, prosecutors heavily criticized Strait for failing to prioritize her son’s life.
Assistant District Attorney Will Davis stated:
“You protect and nourish your child. Ms. Strait does none of those things.”
Strait’s defense attorney argued that her mental health struggles, substance issues, and an abusive relationship with Keys influenced her neglectful behavior. She reportedly apologized and stated that her child’s death would have “a lot of impact” on her life.
Circuit Judge Nicholas McNamara expressed disbelief at the choices made by the parents, highlighting reports that they ordered food and engaged in sexual activity while the baby was starving nearby.
Concerns About CPS Response
The case has also raised serious questions about the role and response of Dane County Child Protective Services.
A summary report of the agency’s involvement revealed that during the initial assessment, CPS found “insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect.”
“The agency closed the case upon completion of the Initial Assessment, and no service referrals were made,” the document stated.
Officials have not clarified why no follow-up welfare checks were performed, despite missed medical appointments and repeated attempts by healthcare providers to contact the parents.
Broader Context: Infant Care, Misinformation, and Safety
This case underscores growing concerns about the dangerous spread of misinformation regarding infant nutrition. Medical experts continue to warn that almond milk or other plant-based beverages are not safe substitutes for infant formula or breast milk, especially for newborns. Additionally, the situation highlights the importance of consistent pediatric checkups and open communication with healthcare providers.
Child welfare advocates say this tragedy also reveals systemic gaps in follow-up procedures when early signs of neglect emerge.
Conclusion
The death of baby Dev’Kumar is a devastating reminder of how misinformation, untreated mental health challenges, and lack of parental responsibility can lead to irreversible outcomes. As both parents now face years behind bars, questions remain about how future tragedies can be prevented—through better education, stronger support systems, and more responsive child protective oversight.
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