DETROIT, MI – A Detroit man has been sentenced to 18 to 40 years in prison after admitting to killing his 8-year-old stepson, whose months of starvation and fatal beating last year stunned authorities and the community.

Jamarr Hill, 37, received his sentence Thursday from Wayne County Circuit Judge John C. Gillis. Prosecutors said the punishment stems from Hill’s guilty plea to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of young Adren Thimes Jr. In return for the plea, more severe charges, including felony murder and first-degree child abuse, were dropped.

Authorities described the case as particularly harrowing, outlining how Adren suffered prolonged abuse before his death in November 2024. The investigation into young Adren’s death revealed a pattern of neglect and violence that ultimately resulted in the his fatal injuries.

Adren’s mother, Kentoria Latricia Moss, 32, also faces charges in the case. She has been charged with second-degree murder and accused of lying to police about the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. Her legal proceedings are ongoing, with a preliminary examination set for late August.

Detroit police were summoned to the family’s Clairmont Avenue home in the early hours of Nov. 8, 2024, after receiving reports about the boy’s injuries. Emergency workers rushed Adren to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Adren’s autopsy performed by the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s office determined that the boy died from multiple blows to the head. Officials classified his death as a homicide.

Family members delivered emotional statements in court, condemning Hill and Moss for their treatment of Adren and his siblings. The boy’s aunt addressed the court, expressing outrage that while the adults spent lavishly on themselves, the children suffered neglect and deprivation.

Adren’s grandmother described the crime as deliberate, arguing that the punishment Hill received was insufficient for the severity of his actions.

During sentencing, Judge Gillis criticized Hill for his role in the tragedy, suggesting that a lifetime behind bars would be a more fitting consequence. Gillis emphasized the gravity of harming a child and urged Hill to reflect on his actions during his incarceration.

Court documents indicate that Moss remains in custody while awaiting further hearings. Prosecutors continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to Adren’s death, highlighting the broader issue of child abuse and neglect.

The case has prompted renewed calls for vigilance within the community to protect at-risk children and report suspected abuse. Adren’s death marks another in a series of high-profile cases in the region, underscoring the vital importance of intervention.

Hill’s sentence ensures he will remain behind bars for a significant portion of his life, while the pursuit of justice for Adren continues with the ongoing proceedings against Moss.