An Ohio mother has been sentenced to prison for the death of her diabetic 4-year-old daughter after she was bottle-fed primarily with Mountain Dew.
Tamara Banks, 41, was sentenced Friday to at least nine years and up to 13 1/2 years in prison for the girl’s death. Banks, of Clermont County, pleaded guilty in March to manslaughter in the death of her daughter, Carmity Hobe.
Ms Carmity’s father, Christopher Hove, 53, also pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is due to be sentenced in June.
Carmity was found unresponsive on Jan. 21, 2022. The couple called 911, and the little girl was rushed to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
The four-year-old girl was declared brain dead and died four days after being taken off life support.
Carmity died in 2022 from diabetic brain damage.
The Clermont County coroner determined the girl’s cause of death was diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition the prosecutor said “went undiagnosed and untreated for an extended period of time.”
“We’re not going to be able to provide the care that we need,” said Dr. Chris Pelletier, president of the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. WCPO Television“Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication that occurs when diabetes is left untreated.”
Prosecutors argued that Banks and Hove primarily fed their daughter from a bottle containing powdered milk and Mountain Dew soda, and that the 4-year-old should have been weaned off the bottle long before her death.
Mountain Dew 20 oz bottle Reportedly Contains 77 grams of sugar.
WXIX Television It was previously reported that the girl’s teeth were rotten and she had very few left.
Prosecutors said Carmiti had suffered “serious health issues” in the days before her death but her parents failed to call for help or take her to hospital.
Prosecutors said Carmiti was a victim of neglect and child abuse, was denied proper nutrition, medical care and had no evidence of ever visiting a dentist in her short life.
“This is a case that has been brought to light by the Clermont County Assistant Prosecutor Clay Tharp,” he said. Cincinnati Enquirer“This is one of the most tragic cases I have ever come across.”
“This child did not need to die,” Tharp added.
Our guardian angel is now
Carmity, nicknamed “Boogie,” “loved to goof around” and “loved looking at herself in the mirror because she knew how beautiful and special she was.”
“She woke up every day filled with joy and love,” the girl said. Obituary “She played with Mickey’s pals and raced cars every day. She touched the hearts of all who saw her and spent time with her. She will always be remembered as our daughter and our guardian angel.”
Do you like Blaze News? Bypass censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here!
