A Maryland couple has been sentenced to prison for keeping their seven children in abusive conditions, which ultimately led to the death of one of them.
Dominique Moore, 47, received a 30-year sentence, with 23 years suspended, meaning he will serve seven years in prison and then five years of probation. His wife, Cynthia Moore, 42, was sentenced earlier this year to 21 years behind bars.
The couple faced serious charges, including second-degree depraved-heart murder, involuntary manslaughter, and child neglect. While Cynthia was found guilty of child neglect, she was acquitted of murder. Dominique pleaded guilty to child neglect last November.
Authorities were alerted to the family’s situation in 2022 after Cynthia reported that her 17-year-old daughter was struggling to breathe and had collapsed. When emergency responders arrived, they found the teenager weighing only 79 pounds. The mother claimed that her daughter had several health issues, including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and a recent COVID-19 diagnosis. However, she revealed that the girl had not seen a doctor in two years.
During the trial, the judge noted that the Moore children lived in isolation from the outside world. Although they were homeschooled, they were not receiving an education, and the house was in terrible condition with pet waste on the floors. The refrigerator was locked, and the children were not even taught basic hygiene.
Police discovered six other minors aged five to 15 in the home, and they were subsequently removed and placed in protective custody.
A prosecutor explained to the court that the two parents witnessed their daughter’s suffering for an extended period. The older sibling expressed deep sadness about the situation, noting that their sibling never had the chance to experience life beyond the confines of their home.
If you suspect child abuse, you can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, which is available 24/7 and is free and confidential.
