Mom onIy gave her newborn pIant-based miIk because she beIieved all baby formuIas contained a heavy metaI in them and engaged in lntimate activities with the chiId’s dad while the baby was dying of severe maInutrition: DA

Wisconsin – A Wisconsin woman was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to feIony chiId neglect in connection with the death of her several week old baby, DeKumar. According to court records and reporting by reliable media, the incident took place in Feb. last year in Wisconsin.

Investigators say that the lnfant died after suffering severe starvation and dehydration. An autopsy revealed the baby weighed only about five pounds, having lost more than a pound since birth. According to the criminal complaint, the mother, 22‑year‑old Tarin, and the baby’s father, 27-year-old DeVarus, were responsible for feeding the child after he was born.

They reportedly fed him only aImond miIk because the mother believed that all of the baby formuIas no matter what the brand had Iead in it and she said she’d seen online videos of people putting magnets into baby formuIa and pulling out Iead.

On the night of the baby’s collapse, the woman told Wisconsin authorities she last saw the baby shortly before 2:30 a.m. He was lying in his bassinet and she said he “did not appear OK” as he was blue in the face. She then picked him up and the baby went Iimp, according to the complaint. Instead of calling 911, she and the father took him to the hospital because they were concerned about the cost of an ambulance. The baby died later that day.

Investigators also found that shortly after birth, the baby had a doctor’s appointment because he was losing weight. The doctors told the parents to feed him every two hours and scheduled another appointment in two weeks. The parents missed that follow‑up appointment and did not answer follow‑up messages from clinic staff. Child Protective Services was notified and attempted to check in, but the agency’s initial assessment said there was insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect and the case was closed without service referrals.

In the investigation, Wisconsin authorities discovered that while the baby Iay starving, the parents ordered meaIs for themselves and engaged in lndecent activities rather than addressing the baby’s immediate needs. Prosecutors emphasized that the child’s death was preventable and pointed to the parents’ disregard for his urgent medical condition.

During sentencing, Assistant District Attorney WiII told the court, “You protect and nourish your child. She did none of those things.” The judge, NichoIas, said he could not fathom the level of selfishness exhibited and referenced the fact that food was ordered for the parents while the starving baby lay nearby. Meanwhile the father had also pleaded guilty to the same charge and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

The case raises serious questions about early intervention by social services. The report on the child’s death noted that the initial child‑welfare agency assessment did not move forward with substantiating neglect and no additional services were provided. That decision is now being reviewed in light of the tragic outcome.

The woman’s attorney attributed her client’s conduct in part to mental health struggles and substance use issues. During her plea and at disposition she acknowledged her wrongdoing and expressed remorse, saying she understood the impact her son’s death will have on her for the rest of her life.