An Ohio child neglect case has ended with prison sentences for two adoptive parents who admitted in court that their failure to follow medical guidance led to the death of a 3-year-old boy.
Demetres Givens, 43, and Jamie Thompson, 38, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment in connection with the May 5, 2025 death of Berko Givens. Authorities said the child died of starvation after months of missed medical appointments and ignored advice from healthcare providers.
Police were dispatched to the couple’s Canton home shortly after 9:30 a.m. that morning following a 911 call. Thompson told dispatchers Berko was “not breathing at all” and was found in his crib surrounded by vomit. The child was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to Court documents, the investigators determined that while the couple had previously taken Berko to doctors for ongoing medical concerns, they failed to act when instructed to seek emergency treatment or specialist care if his condition did not improve. Prosecutors told the court, “They did not do that, for whatever reason.”
Authorities further alleged that the pair “refused to engaged with medical professionals and cancelled multiple appointments over a several-month period.” The criminal complaint also stated that they “cruelly tortured” the child by “refusing to properly feed and care for him.”
Assistant Stark County Prosecutor Daniel Petricini explained that Berko was the biological son of Givens’ sister, Myracle Givens, who had lost custody shortly after his birth. According to courtroom reporting by The Repository, Givens had actively sought custody of his nephew while raising children of his own with Thompson.
During sentencing, Petricini acknowledged the pressures caregivers can face but emphasized available support systems. “I can understand being overwhelmed,” he said, before adding, “they were also aware that there are social services available. There are resources available in the communities to help families who are struggling, and that could have helped them.”
The child’s biological mother questioned how warning signs failed to trigger stronger intervention. In an interview with WKYC, Myracle Givens said, “If they diagnosed [Berko] with malnutrition and his appointments were being canceled after the fact…. I don’t understand. Like, why weren’t these people turned in? I don’t get that.”
Defense attorneys characterized the case as a tragic failure to act rather than intentional harm. Thompson’s attorney, Jacob Will, told the court, “This was a crime of omission, not a crime of commission.” Givens’ attorney, Keith Warstler, argued that Berko’s medical challenges were birth-related and said his client expressed “extreme remorse” over what happened.
Before imposing sentence, Kristin Farmer, a judge in Stark County Common Pleas Court, addressed the couple directly. “At some point, each of you ignored or disregarded medical advice and basic intuition and chose to let the victim suffer.”
Both defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging from eight to 12 years.
