Tamara Moore: Ohio woman who starved adopted autistic son and kept him tied to cot charged with murder

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, OHIO: An Ohio woman has been arrested after the death of her adopted son who suffered from autism. An autopsy proved that the 16-year-old boy's death was a homicide after his body was found on February 6.

Tamara Moore, a 52-year-old woman is accused of killing her adopted son and putting him in danger, according to the Springfield Township Police Department.

Tamara Moore faces several charges along with boyfriend William Turnage

The teen, whose identity has not been made public was starved and restrained to a cot, according to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office. The prosecutor's office stated that there was no food in the 16-year-old autistic boy's digestive system.

Following months of investigation, Moore was taken into custody at her Belgreen Lane home on April 12, according to the police. Moore was charged with two counts of murder and endangering children, according to court records from Hamilton County. 

Moore's boyfriend, William Turnage, 58, is reportedly being searched after by the police. Police stated that he is 5'8" and weighs 225 pounds, according to Fox 19 Now.

Turnage is wanted by Springfield Township police on suspicion of murder, kidnapping, involuntary manslaughter, and neglecting to report a crime or the knowledge of a death.

Neighbors reported teenage boy being abused

According to neighbors, the couple had moved out within the last week and a half. They added that the teenage boy was raised by Moore's mother, who had recently passed away. In the neighborhood, there were also rumors of him being abused, Fox 19 Now covered in other report.

“Everybody on this cul-de-sac knows each other knew them,” neighbor Ellen Dowdell said. “They were just different people.”

According to a neighbor who wished to remain anonymous, Turnage recently moved out of their house, “I asked (Moore) how she has been doing and she said fine,” the neighbor said. “She said it’s just me now. I said, ‘Really?’ And she said yeah.’”

Another neighbor informed that they had heard rumors about Cincinnati Public Schools visiting the house. “Like the guy (Turnage) had hit the boy,” the neighbor said. “I never seen it because I don’t know them. They never really came outside. ... I hope they find him because he deserves to go to jail just as bad as she does.”

Anyone with information about Turnage is asked to contact Springfield Township police at 513-729-1300.