PRINCETON, W.Va. — A Mercer County couple was found guilty Wednesday on child neglect and murder charges related to the death of their son last year.
Corey and Christy Moore, both of Princeton, were charged with murder by a parent, guardian or custodian and child neglect resulting in death, after their 20-month-old son, Jeremiah, died while being while treated at Princeton Community Hospital in November 2018.
The cause of death later was determined to be a direct result of malnutrition.
The defendants testified their son became sick with a cold and started to lose weight, and that they tried to help him regain weight by feeding him soups, vegetable juice, and nutritional supplements.
The child weighed 14 pounds when he was brought to the hospital.
The jury deliberated for about an hour before finding the couple guilty on all charges and recommending mercy, meaning the Moores could be eligible for parole in 15 years.
Murder of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian typically is associated with life in prison, while child neglect resulting in death carries a prison term between three and 15 years.
A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.