A 41-year-old mother in Ohio was sentenced to nine to 13-and-a-half years in prison for involuntary manslaughter after her daughter’s teeth rotted due to being fed Mountain Dew through a baby bottle. Tamara Banks faced charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering children, but the murder and endangering children charges were dropped when she pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The girl’s father, Christopher Hoeb, also faced the same charges and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The tragic case involved the death of a 4-year-old girl whose diabetes went undiagnosed for years, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis, which ultimately caused her death.
The 4-year-old girl was found unresponsive in January 2022, and was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced brain-dead and eventually taken off life support. Her cause of death was ruled as diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes that can become life-threatening. Due to neglect and abuse by her parents, the girl suffered for most of her short life, with her diabetes being left undiagnosed and untreated over a long period of time. Banks’ oldest son recalled a similar incident involving his younger brother going into diabetic ketoacidosis, and having to force his mother, who was often passed out, to take him to the hospital. The doctor was able to save his brother in time, unlike his little sister.
Tamara Banks remained in the Clermont County Jail as of the time of reporting, while her daughter’s father, Christopher Hoeb, will be sentenced the following month after also pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The tragic case was described by Clermont County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Clay Tharp as one of the most heartbreaking he had encountered. The young girl’s suffering due to neglect and abuse was highlighted, with her diabetes being left undiagnosed and untreated, leading to her untimely death. The girl’s mother was reportedly feeding her Mountain Dew through a baby bottle, leading to severe tooth decay and ultimately contributing to her health deteriorating.
The case of the 4-year-old girl’s death due to neglect and abuse by her parents sparked outrage and concern about the wellbeing of children in similar situations. The young girl’s suffering and eventual death from diabetic ketoacidosis, a preventable complication of diabetes, shed light on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of health conditions in children. Banks’ son recalled the distressing situation of having to force his mother, who was often passed out, to take his younger brother to the hospital when he went into diabetic ketoacidosis. The parallels between the incidents involving both siblings highlighted the tragic pattern of neglect and abuse in the family, which ultimately led to devastating consequences.
As the legal proceedings continued and the parents faced charges for their role in the young girl’s death, the community and authorities grappled with the heartbreaking case. The negligent and abusive actions of the parents, particularly the mother’s feeding of Mountain Dew through a baby bottle, resulted in severe consequences for the child. The girl’s suffering and untimely death served as a tragic reminder of the importance of proper care, diagnosis, and treatment for children’s health conditions. The sentencing of the mother to a significant prison term for involuntary manslaughter marked a form of justice for the young girl who endured so much suffering due to neglect and abuse.
