Mother Sentenced To Prison For Child Neglect After Daughter's Death: Report

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A Montgomery Village woman will spend more than 20 years in prison after her 17-year-old daughter with multiple sclerosis died in her care, according to a report.

Cynthia Moore, 42, was sentenced to 30 years in prison with all but 21 years suspended after she was convicted of six counts of child neglect, according to a MoCoShow report citing the Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office. She was also ordered to serve five years of supervised probation upon release.

On May 10, 2022, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to the 9400 block of Quill Place in Montgomery Village for a report of someone who collapsed after having difficulty breathing. MCFRS personnel found the 17-year-old victim and pronounced her dead at the scene.

After making contact with Moore and her husband, Dominique Moore, the mother told the officers their daughter, who also had diabetes, had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19. She also said their daughter hadn't seen a doctor in two years.

Police reported that the family was living in squalor. Due to unsanitary living conditions in the home, Child Protective Services removed six minor children, ranging in age from 5 to 15, from the home and placed them in foster care, according to police. Two other children over 18 also lived in the home.

After conducting an autopsy of the victim, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be a homicide, according to police.

In 2023, prosecutors charged Moore and her husband with homicide and neglect. Dominique Moore is scheduled for sentencing on March 27.