by Sun Prairie, WI – A tragic case out of Wisconsin has ended in prison sentences for a young couple whose negligence led to the death of their 3-week-old son. De’Varius D. Keys, 27, and his girlfriend Taryn L. Strait, 22, were both sentenced to eight years in prison followed by probation after pleading guilty to felony child neglect for starving their newborn, Dev’Kumar Keys, to death while they chose to indulge in food and other activities.
This heartbreaking incident has drawn attention to the severe consequences of child neglect and raised disturbing questions about the role of social services in preventing such tragedies.
The Shocking Circumstances Surrounding Dev’Kumar’s Death
According to court records and a criminal complaint, Dev’Kumar died on February 1, 2024, in the Milwaukee suburb of Sun Prairie. The infant weighed only 5 pounds at the time of death — losing over a pound since birth. Investigators revealed that the couple was feeding him primarily almond milk because Strait, the mother, refused to feed him formula.
“Taryn stated that all of the baby formulas no matter what the brand had lead in it. She would watch videos online of people putting magnets into the baby formula and pulling out lead,” the complaint detailed.
On the day of Dev’Kumar’s death, Strait found him blue in the face and lifeless. Despite the severity, the parents took him to the hospital on their own, delaying emergency response due to concerns over ambulance costs. Medical efforts could not save the infant.
Ignoring Medical Warnings and Missed Opportunities
Doctors had expressed concern about Dev’Kumar’s weight loss shortly after birth and instructed the parents to increase his feeding frequency to every two hours. A follow-up appointment was scheduled but the parents failed to attend and never responded to attempts by the clinic to reach them.
- Dane County Child Protective Services (CPS) was notified and attempted contact but received no response initially.
- CPS eventually reached Strait, who declined timely appointments citing short notice and never followed through.
- The autopsy confirmed starvation and dehydration as causes of death.
Legal Consequences and Community Reactions
Both parents have been sentenced to significant prison time, illustrating the grave seriousness the justice system places on child neglect. Assistant District Attorney Will Davis condemned the parents for failing their child’s most basic needs:
“You protect and nourish your child. Ms. Strait does none of those things.”
Despite the tragic outcome, Strait’s defense cited her mental health issues and substance addictions, along with claims that Keys was abusive towards her. She expressed remorse, acknowledging the lifelong impact of her actions.
Judge Nicholas McNamara strongly criticized the couple’s behavior, remarking on the callousness of ordering food and intimacy while their baby starved nearby.
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Questions Raised About Child Protective Services Oversight
The case also sparked scrutiny of CPS’s handling of the situation, as a summary report indicated their initial assessment found insufficient evidence to substantiate neglect, leading to the case closure without service referrals.
“The agency closed the case upon completion of the Initial Assessment, and no service referrals were made,” the report stated.
CPS has declined to elaborate publicly on why more proactive measures were not taken to prevent the infant’s death.
For more detailed case information, visit the original report at Law&Crime.
Raising Awareness to Prevent Future Tragedies
This heartbreaking story serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of proper child care and the need for vigilant social support systems when vulnerable infants are at risk. Community members and professionals alike can learn from this tragic case to recognize warning signs and advocate for children’s welfare.
What do you think about this tragic case and the role of child protection services? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
