Karmity "Boogie" Faythe Hoeb
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CANDID ID: OH_22_1535
AGE
4   years
STATE
Ohio
DATE OF DEATH
1/25/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Karmity Faythe Hoeb, a 4-year-old girl from Union Township, Ohio, died on January 25, 2022 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication of diabetes. Prosecutors alleged that her parents, Christopher Hoeb and Tamara Banks, severely neglected and abused the child for the majority of her life, feeding her mostly Mountain Dew soda (sometimes mixed with baby formula) through baby bottles instead of providing proper nutrition, while also failing to obtain any medical or dental care for her. As a result, her diabetes went undiagnosed and untreated, and nearly all of her teeth had rotted out by the time of her death. On January 21, 2022, her parents found her unresponsive and called 911; she was transported to the hospital where she was declared brain dead and was taken off life support four days later. Both parents were indicted on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and child endangerment, with the murder charges later dismissed. The mother pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to at least nine years in prison.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

The Newsweek article states the child "was so malnourished at the time of her death that she had no teeth left" and the People article describes her death as resulting from "severe malnutrition." The Newsweek article also states she was fed "mostly" Mountain Dew "instead of milk or formula, in her baby bottle."

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Multiple sources explicitly describe medical neglect. The Newsweek article states the parents "allegedly denied her the proper nutrition and medical care that she needed" and "Her diabetes was left undiagnosed and untreated." The People article states "prosecutors also said that investigators could not find evidence that the girl had ever been to a dentist" and that her diabetes was "left undiagnosed and untreated over a long period of time."

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

The Newsweek article identifies "Karmity's father, 52-year-old Christopher Hoeb" as one of the parents charged. The child shares the Hoeb surname. The People article confirms "Christopher Hoeb, the girl's father, was also charged in her death." Both parents were indicted on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering children.

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The Newsweek article identifies "her mother, 40-year-old Tamara Banks" as one of the parents charged. The People article confirms Banks was sentenced to at least nine years after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. She is described as the child's mother across all sources.

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The People article reports that "Prosecutors also said that Banks has older children who suffered similar incidents in her care, including a son who fell into a coma at age 4 from undiagnosed diabetes" and that "Banks' son was neglected even after waking up from the coma, as he missed follow-up appointments with doctors." While explicit CPS reports are not mentioned, a child falling into a diabetic coma at a hospital would likely have triggered mandatory reporting and child protection involvement. The existence of prior similar incidents with siblings strongly implies prior child protection system contact.

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The Newsweek article states: "Karmity's father, 52-year-old Christopher Hoeb, and her mother, 40-year-old Tamara Banks, were indicted on July 27 on charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter and endangering children" and "Hoeb and Banks were booked into the Clermont County Jail on Friday and are being held without bond." The People article confirms Banks was sentenced to at least nine years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

The People article reveals a significant pattern of behavior, reporting that "Prosecutors also said that Banks has older children who suffered similar incidents in her care, including a son who fell into a coma at age 4 from undiagnosed diabetes" and "Banks' son was neglected even after waking up from the coma, as he missed follow-up appointments with doctors." This indicates that Banks had prior experience with a child developing serious diabetes-related complications, making Karmity's undiagnosed and untreated diabetes even more significant. Additionally, the People article reports that a judge previously dismissed the murder and child endangerment charges against both parents, with Banks ultimately pleading guilty only to involuntary manslaughter and receiving a sentence of at least nine years. Banks told a judge, "I thought I was taking care of her." The People article also added the detail that Banks would sometimes mix baby formula with the soda.

Lives Cut Short