Autistic teen was treated ‘worse than an animal,’ prosecutor says

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) - Springfield Township police continue their search for a man wanted in connection with the Feb. 6th death of a 16-year-old with autism.

William Turnage, 58, is wanted for murder, endangering children, involuntary manslaughter, and failure to report a crime or knowledge of a death, according to Springfield Township police.

Turnage, described as 5′8″ and 225 pounds, is one of two people charged in connection with the death of the teen, police announced on April 12.

The other suspect, 52-year-old Tamara Moore, was the 16-year-old’s adopted mother, police said. She was arrested at her home on Belgreen Lane on April 12.

The teen, who has not been identified, was found dead on Feb. 6, and police say the 16-year-old’s death was ruled a homicide following the autopsy.

The teen was starved and chained to a cot, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office said. The autistic 16-year-old had zero food in his digestive tract, the prosecutor’s office explained.

“This was outrageous, but these things happen, unfortunately,” said Dr. Beatriz Porras. “People are very uneducated about special needs and intellectual disability.”

Dr. Porras is president and founder of Angels’ Castle, a nonprofit dedicated to serving young adults with intellectual disabilities.

It is unclear what level, if any, of experience Moore had in caring for an autistic child.

“You have to know that they are human beings, that they understand everything,” Dr. Porras said. “They cannot advocate for themselves, maybe they cannot communicate, but they have feelings, and they understand what is going on. So, nobody should go through what this kid went through. No human being should experience this kind of humiliation.”

Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers released a statement Monday:

“Words alone cannot describe the level of depravity displayed by these two defendants. 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. I promise that we will do whatever is necessary to ensure there is justice for J.J. and that both of these individuals are held accountable for what they have done.”

Call 911 or the Springfield Township Police Department at 513-729-1300 if you have information about Turnage.

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