Milwaukee father competent to stand trial in 12-year-old son's death

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's been about two months since police arrested a Milwaukee man who was on the run for several months, wanted in connection to the death of his 12-year-old son.

Romuan Moye, 45, is accused in the death of his son Jacarie Robinson, whose body was found malnourished and decomposing in his living room floor on Oct. 10, 2023. 

On Monday, April 15, 2024, Moye appeared in court and a judge read a psychologist's report following an evaluation on Moye. 

"It is this examiner's opinion to a reasonable degree of professional certainty that defendant Romuan Moye is presently competent to stand trial," said Judge Mark Sanders.

Moye is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, three counts of chronic neglect of a child and failure to report his son's death.

The criminal complaint stated that officials found 12-year-old Jacarie Robinson's body in an "advanced state of decomposition." 

His older brother told authorities he found Robinson's body wrapped up in a blanket on his father's living room floor after not hearing from him for weeks.

The complaint also mentioned that Robinson's siblings told police that Moye would often punish Jacarie harshly, some lasting for weeks for misbehaving and stealing food.

An autopsy found the boy had fractures in both arms and in his right ribs.

On Monday, Moye waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a not guilty plea.

If convicted, Moye faces up to 82 years in prison and up to $45,000 in fines.

His trial is scheduled to begin on May 24.