Milwaukee man accused, chronic child neglect in 12-year-old boy's death
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee man is charged with chronic child neglect after a 12-year-old boy was found dead on the city's north side last week – and he remains on the run.
Family identified the victim as Jacarie Robinson. Prosecutors accuse the boy's father, 45-year-old Romuan Moye, of chronic neglect resulting in death and great bodily harm – as well as failing to report the boy's death.
Romuan Moye
WARNING: The details of this case are graphic. Reader discretion is advised.
Jacarie's older brother, Jay Moye, talked with FOX6 News over the phone on Monday, Oct. 16.
"He was my everything. My everything. Jacarie was Jacarie. No matter what," Jay Moye said.
Jay said he found his brother's body inside their father's home near 39th and Elmhurst Oct. 10. A newly-filed criminal complaint says Jacarie was lying on the living room floor decomposing.
Police scene near 39th and Fiebrantz
"Yes, it was very hard for me and my family," Jay Moye said.
Jacarie's father, Romuan Moye, is now a wanted man.
The complaint states a citizen witness spoke with investigators. Three to four days before the boy's body was found, the complaint states the witness told investigators they spoke to Moye outside the home and Moye "appeared to be acting abnormal." The witness never went inside or saw the boy, they said.
Jacarie Robinson
According to the complaint, Moye had indicated he had cancer and, for the past month, has claimed he "does not have long to live." As a result, the witness was trying to spend more time with Moye, but Moye had been "evasive." Moye had been even more evasive over the preceding week.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Per the complaint, the witness went to the home on Oct. 10 and called for Moye: "If you are in there, please come out." When nobody answered, the witness went inside. The complaint states the witness was "immediately struck" by a strong odor, but did not see anyone. The witness went through the house a second time and found the body of the 12-year-old.
The witness later told police that Moye had been keeping the 12-year-old away from family for the past few months because he was acting "really bad," not letting the child leave the house. The last time the witness recalled seeing the boy was on his 12th birthday in August, and recalled the boy looking "extremely skinny," the complaint says. When the witness would ask the boy if he was OK, the boy would say "no," the complaint says.
Home near 39th and Elmhurst, Milwaukee
The complaint states the witness added that Moye was a "harsh punisher," whose punishment could last for weeks – but was not often physical.
"Right now, I just think as a family we just want to figure out everything for ourselves," Jay Moye said.
Search of home
Police went inside the home where the boy was found and discovered an "overwhelming smell of mold, feces, and decay," per the complaint. There was a pile of garbage on the kitchen floor and another pile on the kitchen table. There was mold on the sink, moldy food on the counters and moldy food inside the refrigerator. The bathroom was in a similar state.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.
Autopsy
An autopsy of the 12-year-old found he had a broken right leg with callous bone formed from it healing. It was a "very large" and "irregular" fracture, the assistant medical examiner noted.
The autopsy also found the boy's left leg appeared to be fractured, as were two ribs, which also had callous formations.
Home near 39th and Elmhurst, Milwaukee
The assistant medical examiner the body "extremely malnourished and emaciated, with moderate decomposition of the body." He weighed 54 pounds at the autopsy.
The specific cause of death is pending toxicology, histology and further investigation.
Online court records indicate while charges have been filed against Moye, he is not in police custody – a warrant has been issued for his arrest.