CLERMONT COUNTY, OH – An Ohio mother received a 9 to 13.5-year prison sentence on involuntary manslaughter charges on Friday concerning her four-year-old daughter’s death. Tamara Banks, 41, faced charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering children. However, the murder and endangering children charges were dropped on plea of guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Tamara Banks gave her daughter Mountain Dew as a primary part of her diet. The child’s mother continually fed her Mountain Dew in baby battles, causing her teeth to rot over time.
The prosecutor’s news release reported that the young girl, who suffered from undiagnosed diabetes, was found unresponsive in January 2022. The child was declared brain-dead at the hospital and was subsequently removed from life support.
The girl’s death was attributed to diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal diabetes complication due to untreated and undiagnosed diabetes, as stated by the Mayo Clinic.
Christopher Hoeb, 53, the father, faced identical charges and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He is awaiting sentencing next month.
The case is classified as “one of the most tragic” by Clermont County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Clay Tharp.
Banks’ older son, Jerry, claimed he had never met his younger sister due to her segregated upbringing. He recalled a prior incident with his younger brother, who had experienced diabetic ketoacidosis and was promptly taken to the hospital by their mother following Jerry’s insistence.
Banks is currently being held in Clermont County Jail.