Father pleads guilty to death of 12-year-old son found decomposing on sofa

MILWAUKEE (WTMJ) – A Milwaukee man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges 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 the death of his 12-year-old son, Jacarie Robinson: first-degree reckless homicide, chronic neglect of a child resulting in bodily injury and failure to report the death of a child .

Authorities say Jacarie’s decomposed and malnourished body was found wrapped in a blanket on the sofa at home last October in filthy and squalid conditions. The home smelled overwhelmingly of mold, feces and rot, according to a criminal complaint.

Authorities say the decomposed and malnourished body of 12-year-old Jacarie Robinson was found wrapped in… — Authorities say the decomposed and malnourished body of 12-year-old Jacarie Robinson was found wrapped in a blanket on the couch of the home last October amid filthy and squalid conditions.(Source: Family photo, WTMJ via CNN)

“He was locked in a living room by his own father, a person who is supposed to love him, care for him, raise him, keep him safe, take care of him, slowly tortured him and killed him,” the prosecutor said deputy Matthew, Torbenson in court.

Investigators say Moye admitted Jacarie died on October 3, 2023. His older brother found his body seven days later.

“A sight that not only haunts the brother, but frankly haunts the members of the Milwaukee Police Department that we met that went into that house, that observed this,” Torbenson said.

Judge Laura Crivello is among the many people who still can’t wrap their heads around what happened. She sentenced Moye to more than 47 years in prison.

“I don’t understand this at all. It is unthinkable,” she told the court. “In my 30 years, the worst and worst thing I’ve ever seen. You are the highest level of danger.”

Jacarie’s mother, Yalawn Robinson, also said she couldn’t believe how much her son had suffered.

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

Moye’s lawyer read a letter to the family on his behalf.

“What I did to my youngest son was not the best of me at all, and it pains me greatly that I could do such a thing to my son,” the letter read.

The family can try to move forward now that Moye will spend decades behind bars.