Sun Prairie, WI – A Wisconsin mother who allowed her 3-week-old son to starve to death while she and her boyfriend ordered food and ignored medical advice has been sentenced to eight years in prison, according to court records. The baby’s father, who pleaded guilty to the same charge, will be sentenced next month.
The Incident: Infant Found Dead After Weeks of Neglect
Authorities said 22-year-old Taryn L. Strait and her boyfriend, 27-year-old De’Varius D. Keys, neglected their newborn son, Dev’Kumar Keys, leading to his death from starvation and dehydration on February 1, 2024, in Sun Prairie, a suburb of Madison.
According to a criminal complaint obtained, Strait told investigators that she last checked on her baby at around 2:30 a.m., when she noticed he was blue in the face and “did not appear OK.” She picked him up, but the baby went limp. Instead of calling 911, the couple drove to the hospital because they were concerned about the cost of an ambulance.
Medical staff attempted to revive the infant, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
“You protect and nourish your child,” said Assistant District Attorney Will Davis during sentencing. “Ms. Strait did none of those things.”
Investigation and Evidence: Starvation, Misinformation, and Missed Warnings
An autopsy revealed that Dev’Kumar weighed just five pounds at the time of his death — more than a pound less than when he was born. Investigators determined that the infant was being fed primarily almond milk, as Strait refused to use formula.
“Taryn stated that all of the baby formulas no matter what the brand had lead in it,” the complaint noted. “She would watch videos online of people putting magnets into the baby formula and pulling out lead.”
Medical records showed that Dev’Kumar had been losing weight rapidly, prompting doctors to instruct the parents to feed him every two hours and schedule a follow-up visit. However, the couple never returned for the appointment and ignored repeated calls from the clinic.
Dane County Child Protective Services (CPS) was notified of the concerns but ultimately closed the case, finding “insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect” and making no service referrals for the family.
This decision is now under scrutiny, with many questioning why CPS did not intervene before the baby’s death.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Strait pleaded guilty to felony child neglect resulting in death. On Wednesday, Circuit Judge Nicholas McNamara sentenced her to eight years in prison, followed by seven years of extended supervision.
The judge condemned Strait for her selfish behavior, referencing her decision to order takeout and engage in sexual activity with Keys while her baby was dying.
“I can’t fathom the selfishness it takes to order food and have sex while your starving baby lies next to you,” Judge McNamara said.
Her attorney argued that Strait struggled with mental health issues, addiction, and was physically abused by Keys, who allegedly controlled much of her behavior. Strait expressed remorse during the hearing, admitting that her actions were wrong and that her son’s death will “have a lot of impact” on her for the rest of her life.
The Father’s Role and Pending Sentencing
De’Varius D. Keys, the baby’s father, also pleaded guilty to felony child neglect and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20, 2025. Prosecutors said both parents failed to provide basic care, even after being warned by doctors about the child’s deteriorating health.
Authorities emphasized that both adults had ample opportunity to prevent the tragedy, but instead chose to prioritize themselves over their child.
Public Reaction and CPS Accountability
The case has raised serious questions about the role of Child Protective Services in preventing child deaths. A summary report stated that the agency’s initial assessment “found insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect of the infant by the parents.”
“The agency closed the case upon completion of the Initial Assessment, and no service referrals were made,” the report said.
The agency has since declined to comment further on its handling of the case.
Child advocates have criticized the decision, arguing that systemic failures contributed to Dev’Kumar’s death and that warning signs were ignored by both medical and welfare systems.
Conclusion
The death of Dev’Kumar Keys has drawn attention to neglect, misinformation about infant nutrition, and CPS oversight failures. While Taryn Strait begins her prison term and De’Varius Keys awaits sentencing, questions remain about how many opportunities were missed to save a baby’s life that could have been spared with basic care and attention.
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