A mother in central Indiana is facing serious charges after allegedly starving her teenage son, who had cerebral palsy, in a deeply disturbing case of prolonged neglect.
Tanya Boyd has been charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 3 felony, according to records from Grant County Superior Court.
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The victim, 17-year-old Ezekiel “Zeke” Sheppard, was first brought to the attention of the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) in 2021 over concerns related to malnutrition and stunted physical growth, reported CBS affiliate WTTV.
By August 2022, Sheppard was removed from Boyd’s care after officials determined he was still suffering from “severe chronic and acute malnutrition.” At the time, he weighed just 88.5 pounds.
After being placed in a children’s facility, Sheppard showed significant improvement—gaining 61% in weight and growing two inches, according to court documents.
In September 2023, DCS contacted the Marion Police Department for further investigation into the case. Sheppard tragically died on June 11, 2025, although it remains unclear whether his death was directly tied to the alleged neglect.
His obituary described Zeke as a warm and joyful teen:
“Throughout his struggles, Zeke loved to have people talk to him. He loved country music. And he always had a smile on his face. His constant companion was a stuffed alligator toy, which helped to position and support him in bed.”
He is survived by both his parents.
Tanya Boyd is currently not listed as an inmate in the Grant County Jail, but she has filed a bond form with the county’s Probation Department. She is scheduled for a pretrial conference in November, with her trial set for December 15.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
