A Michigan father has been sentenced to prison for the mistreatment of his two young sons, one aged 9 and the other aged 1. Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore faces a prison term ranging from three to ten years after pleading no contest to child abuse charges. This plea indicates that while he does not admit guilt, he acknowledges that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to convict him.

According to previous reports by Law&Crime, Moore was accused of these abusive acts in June. The older boy managed to escape the residence located in the 100 block of South Edith Street in Pontiac while Moore was out, heading to a neighbor’s home for help. The homeowner then contacted law enforcement, as confirmed by a press release from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arrival, deputies noted that the boy exhibited “severe abrasions” around his right eye and neck, along with welts across his torso. He reported that his father had struck him with a belt over his face, back, legs, and buttocks, followed by an assault with a broom handle, and had choked him to the point of unconsciousness. Moore allegedly warned the boy that the abuse would continue throughout the night before leaving for the store.

The 9-year-old also mentioned that his father became enraged when the younger child cried due to hunger, reportedly throwing the toddler into his crib. A subsequent examination of the younger child uncovered healed cigarette burns on his back and legs.

During his arrest, Moore allegedly told a relative that he was “whooping” his son for stealing. The injured boy received medical attention at a hospital, and it was noted that the children’s mother did not reside with Moore, according to deputies.

At the time of the arrest, Moore allegedly told a relative he was “whooping” his son for stealing. Paramedics took the boy to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. His mother did not live in the home with Moore, per deputies.

As the 1-year-old’s mother was in jail at the time of Moore’s arrest, Child Protective Services took custody of the child.