In a harrowing case that underscores the depths of human cruelty, an Ohio mother has been sentenced for the horrific treatment and subsequent death of her adopted son. Tamara Moore, aged 53, received the maximum penalty of 15 years in prison following her guilty plea to charges of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment, after authorities uncovered her role in the tragic demise of 16-year-old Jeremiah Moore.

The grim details of Jeremiah’s death, which authorities have labeled as a case of “depravity,” came to light when police discovered him lifeless in the basement of his home in February 2024. The teenager, who was autistic, was found in a closet wearing only a t-shirt and a filthy pull-up diaper, a testament to the severe neglect he endured.

Moore’s conviction follows a plea agreement accepted by her then-boyfriend, William Turnage, who was also implicated in Jeremiah’s death. Turnage, 59 at the time, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Moore. In exchange for his testimony against her, prosecutors dropped more serious charges, including murder and failure to report a crime. As a result, Turnage was sentenced to serve between 11 and 15 years in prison.

Originally facing a murder charge, Tamara Moore’s plea deal led to the reduction of charges, but it did not diminish the gravity of her actions. The community and authorities alike have been deeply disturbed by the conditions in which Jeremiah lived and ultimately died. His tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of children in abusive environments and the urgent need for vigilance in protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

Authorities’ involvement in the case began in February 2024, when Jeremiah Moore was found dead in the basement of his family home. Prosecutors said law enforcement officers found the child, who had autism, in a closet “in nothing but a t-shirt and an absolutely disgusting pull-up diaper.”

“There were restraints strapped to the side of the bed. There were marks on his wrist,” prosecutors added, per WXIX. “There was not a trace of food in any part of his digestive tract, not in his stomach, not in his intestines, nothing.”

He was treated “worse than an animal,” according to then-Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers, who vowed to secure justice for the child.

“Words alone cannot describe the level of depravity displayed by these two defendants,” she said. “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.”

An obituary for Jeremiah Moore says he “had a smile that would light up a room” as well as “a gentle soul.” He loved to eat, to sit outside, and to spend time with his dog and cat. “He didn’t let his delays keep him, from living his life to the fullest,” the obit added.