CITY, OH – In a harrowing case of parental neglect, an Ohio woman has been sentenced to at least nine years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of her four-year-old daughter. The child, who suffered from untreated diabetes, died after being regularly fed Mountain Dew in her baby bottle—a practice that ultimately led to a diabetes-related brain injury and severe dental decay.
During a recent court hearing, the prosecution described the deplorable conditions the little girl, Karmity Hoeb, had endured before her untimely death in January 2022. Tamara Banks, 41, the child’s mother, admitted to her role in the tragedy, expressing a misguided belief that she had been taking good care of her daughter. The girl’s father, Christopher Hoeb, 53, also pleaded guilty to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for June.
Clermont County Assistant Prosecutor Clay Tharp depicted the child’s suffering as the result of grossly inadequate care, noting the presence of ‘baby bottle caries,’ a condition indicative of severe tooth decay caused by the consumption of sugary beverages from a bottle. The extreme neglect of the little girl’s dental health was evident as all her teeth had rotted away due to the habitual drinking of soda.
The child’s deteriorating health culminated in a fatal episode when her mother failed to seek timely medical attention. Authorities were alerted only after Karmity turned blue and ceased breathing, which led to her death in the hospital from the complications of her untreated condition.
Both parents faced several charges, including murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering children, before pleading guilty to the latter. Indicted last summer, their actions have now been judged, and they will face the consequences of their inattention to their daughter’s health needs.
In stark contrast to the grim details of her final days, Karmity’s obituary painted a picture of a spirited and joyful child, beloved and remembered for her vivacity and infectious smile. Her memory, described as that of a “happy girl,” now serves as a somber reminder of a life cut tragically short.
