Ohio – An Ohio man was sentenced earlier this week, to a prison term ranging from eleven to fifteen and a half years for his involvement in the death of his girIfriend’s chiId. The defendant, 59-year-old W. Tyrnage, had pleaded guilty to charges of invoIuntary mansIaughter and chiId endangerment last month. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped a murder charge against him. In exchange, the defendant agreed to testify against his girIfriend, the victim’s mother, who is scheduled to stand trial for murder next month.
The victim, Jeremlah, who had autism and was non-verbaI, was found deceased in Feb. last year, in the basement of his family’s home in Ohio. The basement room where he was found was described as a utility closet, and the child, 16, was lying on a cot in a soiled pull-up diaper. Restraints were reportedly attached to the side of the cot, and there were marks on his wrists. An autopsy revealed that the child had no food in his digestive system, indicating he had not eaten for an extended period before his death. The cause of death was determined to be starvation.
Following the discovery of the victim’s body, investigators began a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding his death. The investigation revealed that both the defendant and the victim’s parent, Tamarra, were involved in the neglect and abuse leading to the child’s death. The defendant, who had been living with the woman and her son, claimed he was unaware of the child’s condition. However, evidence presented during the investigation contradicted his statements, leading to his arrest and subsequent guilty plea.
The victim’s mom was arrested several months after the child’s death and charged with murder, chiId endangerment, invoIuntary mansIaughter, and failure to report a crime. In April 2025, just days before her trial was set to begin, she requested a new attorney, citing irreconcilable differences with her current counsel. The judge expressed skepticism about the timing of the request, suggesting it might be an attempt to delay the trial. Her trial is now scheduled to commence on September 29, 2025.
“Words alone cannot describe the level of depravity displayed by these two defendants,” Prosecutor MeIissa said, per local Fox affiliate WXIX. “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.”
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the severe nature of the abuse and the involvement of individuals who were supposed to care for and protect Jeremiah. The community has expressed outrage over the circumstances leading to his death, and there is a collective hope that justice will be served in the upcoming trial of the victim’s mom.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals with disabilities and the critical importance of vigilance and accountability in caregiving. The legal proceedings against the child’s parent are closely watched, with many hoping for a resolution that reflects the gravity of the crime and honors the memory of the 16-year-old boy.