Mother starved her disabled teenage son: Authorities
Share this @internewscast.com

Left: Tanya Boyd (Grant County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Ezekiel Sheppard (Obituary).

A mother is accused of starving her disabled teenage son in a troubling case out of central Indiana.

According to records from Grant County Superior Court, Tanya Boyd has been accused of neglecting a dependent, leading to serious bodily harm, categorized as a level three felony.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

In 2021, the Indiana Department of Child Services started an investigation into 17-year-old Ezekiel “Zeke” Sheppard due to concerns over malnutrition and inhibited physical growth, as reported by Indianapolis-based CBS affiliate WTTV.

In August 2022, Sheppard, who was around 17 years old and had cerebral palsy, was taken out of Boyd’s custody after he continued to experience “severe chronic and acute malnutrition.”

His weight was just 88.5 pounds, according to court documents reviewed by the outlet. Once Sheppard was sent to a children’s facility, he started to improve. His weight increased by 61% and he grew two inches.

In September 2023, the Indiana Department of Child Services reportedly reached out to the Marion Police Department in reference to Sheppard’s case. He died on June 11, 2025; it was unclear whether his death was related to the alleged neglect.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Fatal Incident Occurs During Couple’s Gun Photoshoot, Police Report

Inset: Allysandra Blea (Law&Crime Network). Background: The Las Vegas area where Blea…

Jeanine Pirro Intensifies Efforts to Remove CPB Board Member

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, awaits the…

Teen Sentenced to Prison for Killing Friend and Injuring Another

Inset: Ethan Riley (Jeter Memorial Funeral Home). Background: Connor Hilton during his…

No Charges for Suspect in Alleged Plot Against Trump: Legal Team

Left: Donald Trump speaks at the annual Road to Majority conference in…

Police Report: Attempted Abduction of Toddler at Airport

Background: Miami International Airport (Google Maps). Inset: Alvina Agba (Miami-Dade County Corrections…

Mother Administers Insulin to Toddler to Fake Illness

Inset: Alexandra Marie Frost (Johnson County Detention Center). Background: Stead Family Children’s…

Religious dispute leads to fatal shooting of pastor: Police report

Background: News footage of Samantha Marion in court (WMC). Inset: Cell phone…

Police Report: 80-Year-Old Unaware He Hit 9-Year-Old With Vehicle

Background: News footage of the April 29 crash that killed Dalton Gibbs…

WSU Aware of Kohberger’s Threat, Killer’s Grim Apartment, Witness Receives Death Threats, Disturbing Images

Bryan Kohberger spent a little over three months at Washington State University,…

Gainesville Resident Faces Charges for Allegedly Pointing AR-15 at Guests

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alexander Miles Silver, 37, was taken into…

Parents Face Charges in Infant Daughter’s Death Following Father’s Admission of ‘Rough Play’

A Nebraska couple has been charged with child abuse resulting in death…

Teacher Files Lawsuit Over Suspension Due to Facebook Post, Citing Free Speech Rights

In the inset image: A social media post, allegedly shared by Brooke…