Autistic teen found starved, chained to cot in Ohio

A 16-year-old boy was found dead in Ohio in a small town north of Cincinnati. 

According to police, the teen, who was autistic, had been chained to a cot and left to starve.

The boy's adoptive mother, Tamera Moore (52), was arrested on April 12th. She faces grave charges of murder, according to a press release issued by the Springfield Township Police Department.

According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, no food was found in the teen's digestive tract, indicating he had been starving for a significant period before his death.

An autopsy confirmed the death as a homicide, according to WXIX report. “He can’t help himself,” a neighbour told police. “They took advantage of that and I think that was really messed up,” she said.

Authorities believe the teen was denied food for a long period before his death. There are similar charges of murder against Moore's boyfriend, 58-year-old William Turnage. Police are also searching for him. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Springfield Township Police Department at 513-729-1300.