A Cincinnati-area man has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for the horrific death of his girlfriend’s 16-year-old autistic son, who died while restrained in a cold basement without food.
The Sentence and Charges
William Turnage, 59, was sentenced on Monday to 11 to 15 ½ years in prison for his role in the death of Jeremiah Moore, prosecutors confirmed.
Turnage pleaded guilty on July 31 to involuntary manslaughter and endangering children. In exchange, prosecutors dropped a murder charge. He also agreed to testify against Jeremiah’s mother, Tamara Moore, 53, who is facing murder charges and is scheduled to go on trial on Sept. 29.
Horrific Living Conditions
According to prosecutors, Jeremiah died on Feb. 6, 2024, in a Springfield Township basement where he had been tied down to a cot inside a utility room.
Key details presented in court included:
Jeremiah’s stomach was empty of food at the time of death.
He was wearing a diaper described as “absolutely disgusting.”
The room temperature was just 56 degrees.
The boy had restraint marks on his wrists and neck.
The utility closet where he was kept was so small he could not even stand.
Jeremiah, who was nonverbal and fully dependent on caregivers, suffered extreme neglect.
Police and Prosecutor Reactions
Springfield Township police described the case as one of the most disturbing they had ever seen.
“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,” Sgt. Rami Khayo said.
Hamilton County Judge Jody Luebbers was equally blunt during sentencing, telling Turnage:
“You’re nothing but a monster, sir. You’re going to have to live with this for the rest of your life.”
Former county prosecutor Melissa Powers also condemned the abuse when Turnage and Moore were arrested earlier this year, saying Jeremiah was treated “worse than an animal, forced to live in a basement closet unwanted, unloved, and denied the most basic of necessities.”
Defense and Apology
Turnage offered an apology during his sentencing, claiming he wished he had been more “proactive” and insisting he “wasn’t aware” of the full extent of Jeremiah’s suffering. Prosecutors, however, rejected that excuse, pointing to overwhelming evidence of prolonged abuse and neglect.
Background and Next Steps
Jeremiah was cared for by his grandmother during the early years of his life, but after her death, his care deteriorated drastically under his mother and Turnage.
Tamara Moore was arrested in April 2024, two months after Jeremiah’s death.
Turnage was arrested four days later.
Turnage’s testimony will now be used against Moore in her upcoming September trial.
Jeremiah Moore’s tragic death exposed the unimaginable neglect and abuse he suffered at the hands of the very people meant to protect him. While William Turnage has now been sentenced to over a decade in prison, prosecutors vow to continue pursuing justice for Jeremiah as his mother faces trial next month.
