Topline: After choking his son unconscious, police say the father went to the store, leaving the boy and his baby brother, who had cigarette burns.
Published: July 2, 2025 8:00 am ET
Must Read
Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore (via Oakland County Sheriff's Office)
PONTIAC, MI — A Pontiac man is facing serious child abuse charges after authorities say he brutally beat, choked, and threatened his 9-year-old son for falling asleep on a couch—then left him and a 1-year-old sibling alone at home while he went to the store.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore was arraigned Saturday on charges of second- and fourth-degree child abuse.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred Thursday night at Moore’s home on the 100 block of South Edith Street in Pontiac, Michigan.
Investigators say Moore beat the boy with a belt, struck him with a broom handle, and choked him until he lost consciousness. The 9-year-old later told deputies that his father was enraged because he had fallen asleep on the couch and warned him ominously: “It’s gonna happen all night.”
After Moore left the house to go to the store, the boy escaped and sought help from a neighbor. That homeowner called the sheriff’s office, and responding deputies found the child with welts on his torso, abrasions around his neck, and severe injuries to his right eye, according to police.
The boy told police his 1-year-old brother was crying because he was hungry, and the father “threw” the 1-year-old into his crib.
“This is one of the worst things we see—horrific abuse to children,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. “It cannot be tolerated, and those responsible must be held fully accountable and their children protected.”
Deputies arrested Moore later that night at the home of a relative. According to the sheriff’s office, Moore told the relative he had been “whooping” his son for stealing. The 1-year-old, who was also examined, was found to have healed cigarette burns on his back and legs.
The 9-year-old was taken to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition. Authorities said his mother does not live in the home.
The younger child, whose mother is currently incarcerated, has been placed in the care of a relative by Child Protective Services.
Moore is currently being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Dad Accused of Beating Son, 9, Unconscious With Broom Handle Over Falling Asleep on Couch
After choking his son unconscious, police say the father went to the store, leaving the boy and his baby brother, who had cigarette burns.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 2, 2025 8:00 am ET
Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore (via Oakland County Sheriff's Office)
PONTIAC, MI — A Pontiac man is facing serious child abuse charges after authorities say he brutally beat, choked, and threatened his 9-year-old son for falling asleep on a couch—then left him and a 1-year-old sibling alone at home while he went to the store.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore was arraigned Saturday on charges of second- and fourth-degree child abuse.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred Thursday night at Moore’s home on the 100 block of South Edith Street in Pontiac, Michigan.
Investigators say Moore beat the boy with a belt, struck him with a broom handle, and choked him until he lost consciousness. The 9-year-old later told deputies that his father was enraged because he had fallen asleep on the couch and warned him ominously: “It’s gonna happen all night.”
After Moore left the house to go to the store, the boy escaped and sought help from a neighbor. That homeowner called the sheriff’s office, and responding deputies found the child with welts on his torso, abrasions around his neck, and severe injuries to his right eye, according to police.
The boy told police his 1-year-old brother was crying because he was hungry, and the father “threw” the 1-year-old into his crib.
“This is one of the worst things we see—horrific abuse to children,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. “It cannot be tolerated, and those responsible must be held fully accountable and their children protected.”
Deputies arrested Moore later that night at the home of a relative. According to the sheriff’s office, Moore told the relative he had been “whooping” his son for stealing. The 1-year-old, who was also examined, was found to have healed cigarette burns on his back and legs.
The 9-year-old was taken to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition. Authorities said his mother does not live in the home.
The younger child, whose mother is currently incarcerated, has been placed in the care of a relative by Child Protective Services.
Moore is currently being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Dad Accused of Beating Son, 9, Unconscious With Broom Handle Over Falling Asleep on Couch
After choking his son unconscious, police say the father went to the store, leaving the boy and his baby brother, who had cigarette burns.
By Jacob Charles
Published: July 2, 2025 8:00 am ET
Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore (via Oakland County Sheriff's Office)
PONTIAC, MI — A Pontiac man is facing serious child abuse charges after authorities say he brutally beat, choked, and threatened his 9-year-old son for falling asleep on a couch—then left him and a 1-year-old sibling alone at home while he went to the store.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, 38-year-old Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore was arraigned Saturday on charges of second- and fourth-degree child abuse.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred Thursday night at Moore’s home on the 100 block of South Edith Street in Pontiac, Michigan.
Investigators say Moore beat the boy with a belt, struck him with a broom handle, and choked him until he lost consciousness. The 9-year-old later told deputies that his father was enraged because he had fallen asleep on the couch and warned him ominously: “It’s gonna happen all night.”
After Moore left the house to go to the store, the boy escaped and sought help from a neighbor. That homeowner called the sheriff’s office, and responding deputies found the child with welts on his torso, abrasions around his neck, and severe injuries to his right eye, according to police.
The boy told police his 1-year-old brother was crying because he was hungry, and the father “threw” the 1-year-old into his crib.
“This is one of the worst things we see—horrific abuse to children,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. “It cannot be tolerated, and those responsible must be held fully accountable and their children protected.”
Deputies arrested Moore later that night at the home of a relative. According to the sheriff’s office, Moore told the relative he had been “whooping” his son for stealing. The 1-year-old, who was also examined, was found to have healed cigarette burns on his back and legs.
The 9-year-old was taken to the hospital, where he remains in stable condition. Authorities said his mother does not live in the home.
The younger child, whose mother is currently incarcerated, has been placed in the care of a relative by Child Protective Services.
Moore is currently being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
