A 33-year-old man, Andre Ford, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the abuse of his two children, resulting in the starvation death of one of them. Ford was sentenced on June 24, after pleading guilty to first-degree child abuse resulting in death and second-degree child abuse.
The Tragic Incident
On November 28, 2023, Hagerstown Police responded to a report of an unresponsive 6-year-old boy found at a home. Officers discovered the child deceased on the floor with his head and shoulders resting on a pillow.
He was reportedly wearing sweats, but his arms were not through the armholes, a sign of neglect. The boy weighed only 32 pounds, a severe indication of malnutrition and starvation.
Authorities noted that the child had extensive bruising and suspected cigarette burns on his body. An autopsy indicated the boy may have been dead for two days before his body was found.
The Surviving Child and Investigation
Authorities discovered a second male child in the home who also had similar injuries and signs of malnutrition. This child was removed from the home for his safety.
After conducting their investigation, authorities identified Ford as the primary suspect. They found that he had failed to provide adequate care and medical treatment for his children.
Ford reportedly told investigators that he last saw his 6-year-old son playing with his brother at around 9 p.m. the previous night. He claimed that the boy had been misbehaving and refusing to eat because he wanted his biological mother back.
Ford allegedly admitted to spanking his son and attempting to feed him, but investigators believe that he disciplined his children by withholding food. Both children reportedly showed signs of past physical abuse as well.
Ford’s Sentence and Legal Proceedings
At the sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Mark K. Boyer called the case “astonishingly brutal and disturbing,” underscoring the severity of the abuse.
In addition to his 50-year prison sentence, Ford was ordered to serve five years of supervised probation following his release and is prohibited from having any contact with his surviving son.