Father pleads guilty in death of his 12-year-old son, who was found decomposing on a couch

MILWAUKEE (WTMJ) – A Milwaukee man has pleaded guilty to multiple counts in the death of his 12-year-old son, who prosecutors say was tortured before his decomposing body was found by his older brother.

Romuan Moye, 45, pleaded guilty Thursday to the following charges in connection with the death of his 12-year-old son, Jacarie Robinson: first-degree manslaughter, chronic neglect of a child resulting in bodily injury and failure to report the death of a child.

Authorities say Jacarie's decomposing, malnourished body was found wrapped in a blanket on the couch at home last October in filthy, squalid conditions. The house smelled overwhelmingly of mold, feces and decay, a criminal complaint states.

“He was locked in a living room by his own father, a person who was supposed to love him, care for him, raise him, protect him and provide for him, who slowly tortured and killed him,” Assistant District Attorney Matthew Torbenson said in court.

According to investigators, Moye admitted that Jacarie died on October 3, 2023. His older brother found his body seven days later.

“It's a sight that haunts not only the brother, but, quite frankly, the members of the Milwaukee Police Department that I met with, that entered the house and witnessed this,” Torbenson said.

Judge Laura Crivello is one of many who still cannot comprehend what happened. She sentenced Moye to over 47 years in prison.

“I don't understand it at all. It's unconscionable,” she said in court. “In my 30 years I have seen something so evil and terrible. You are the most dangerous person ever.”

Jacarie's mother, Yalawn Robinson, also said she could not believe how much her son had suffered.

“When I read Jacarie’s autopsy, I couldn’t believe it,” she said in court.

Moyes' lawyer read a letter to the family on his behalf.

“What I did to my youngest son was not my best interest at all, and it truly hurts me that I could do such a thing to my son,” the letter said.

Now that Moye will spend decades behind bars, the family can try to look forward.

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