Ohio father sentenced after killing his 4-year-old diabetic daughter with mountain dew

An Ohio father was charged last Tuesday with his role in the death of his four-year-old daughter, who died from complications of undiagnosed diabetes after being fed a diet consisting primarily of Mountain Dew.

Christopher Hoeb, 53, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in March and received a prison sentence of nine to 13 and a half years.

The child’s mother, Tamara Banks, 42, received 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 because of her diabetes and was instead fed Mountain Dew in a baby bottle as her main source of nutrition. This led to severe tooth decay and eventually diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition caused by high blood sugar levels.

The matter came to light after Karmity was found unconscious in her home in 2020. Investigators discovered that the child had been severely neglected and had a diet consisting almost exclusively of soft drinks.

Medical professionals testified that with proper care and a balanced diet, Karmity’s diabetes could have been controlled and her death could have been prevented.

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“This is a heartbreaking case of neglect and a tragedy that could have been prevented,” Clermont County Assistant 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 have expressed regret 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 conditions.

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