A troubling case of child abuse and neglect in western Ohio has reached a new legal development as William Turnage, 59, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.
The charges stem from the February 2024 death of a 16-year-old boy, identified only as J.J., who was allegedly starved, chained to a cot, and confined to a basement closet by Turnage and his girlfriend, Tamara Moore. The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the plea deal on Thursday.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
The victim’s body was discovered on February 6, 2024, in devastating conditions. Authorities revealed that J.J. had no food in his digestive tract and was chained to a cot.
He had been forced to live in a basement closet under horrific conditions. The discovery shocked local authorities and led to the arrest of both Moore, the victim’s adoptive mother, and Turnage, her boyfriend at the time.
Two months after the discovery, Moore was arrested on April 12, 2024, and was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center. Turnage was not arrested until April 16, when law enforcement managed to locate him.
Prosecutor’s Statement
After the arrests, then-Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers expressed her grief and outrage over the case. “Words alone cannot describe the level of depravity displayed by these two defendants,” she said in a statement.
“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.”
She went on to promise that the prosecutors would work relentlessly to ensure that justice would be served for J.J., adding, “I promise that we will do whatever is necessary to ensure there is justice for J.J. and that both of these individuals are held accountable for what they have done.”
The Plea Deal and Legal Proceedings
As part of the plea deal, Turnage had murder charges and a failure to report a crime charge dropped. He faces up to 11 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing on August 25, 2025. Turnage is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Tamara Moore, who is still facing murder and endangering children charges, is being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 29, 2025. It remains unclear whether Moore will be offered a similar plea deal as Turnage.
Community Reaction and the Ongoing Case
The tragic and disturbing nature of the crime has left the community reeling. Local residents and officials are grappling with the horrific details of how a young boy could be subjected to such abuse and neglect.
The ongoing case highlights the challenges of protecting vulnerable children and the need for stronger safeguards against child abuse in homes.
As Turnage faces sentencing and Moore prepares for her trial, the hope is that the justice system will ensure accountability for J.J. and prevent future tragedies of this nature.
