Ohio father sentenced after killing 4-year-old diabetic daughter with Mountain Dew

An Ohio father was sentenced last Tuesday for his role in the death of his four-year-old daughter, who died of undiagnosed diabetes after being fed a diet of mostly Mountain Dew.

Christopher Hoeb, 53, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in March and was sentenced to nine to 13 and a half years in prison.

The child's mother, Tamara Banks, 42, was given a similar sentence last month after also pleading guilty to the same charge.

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Prosecutors revealed that the child, Karmity Hoeb, was never taken to a doctor for her diabetes and was instead given Mountain Dew in a baby bottle as her main source of food. This led to severe tooth decay and, ultimately, diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition caused by high blood sugar levels.

The case came to light after Karmity was found unconscious in her home in 2020. Investigators discovered the child had been severely neglected, with a diet consisting almost exclusively of soda.

Medical professionals testified that with proper care and a balanced diet, Karmity's diabetes could have been managed and her death could have been avoided.

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“This is a heartbreaking case of negligence and a preventable tragedy,” Clermont County Deputy Prosecutor Clay Tharp said during Hoeb’s sentencing hearing. “Karmity deserved better, and her parents failed her in the worst possible way.”

The case has sparked outrage and calls for greater awareness of child neglect and the importance of good nutrition for children with diabetes.

Both Hoeb and Banks expressed remorse for their actions, but their apologies were met with skepticism and anger from the community, according to Local12.

Child welfare advocates hope this case will serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting a child's basic needs and the importance of seeking medical care for children with chronic illnesses.

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