Texas – A Texas man was ordered to spend the next five decades in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of his adopted chiId, T. KoehIer. The sentencing was announced Wednesday by the District Attorney’s Office. The 45-year-old defendant, Jermaine, entered a guiIty pIea to capitaI murder and accepted the sentence issued by the court on July 30, 2025.
The investigation began in July 2022, when the defendant called 911 to report his child missing. He told responding officers that he returned home just before midnight and discovered the front door unlocked, but could not locate the 7-year-old boy. He said he last saw the child in the living room watching television earlier that evening. His statements guided deputies to search the home and surrounding neighborhood thoroughly—including use of drones and canine units.
During a secondary search of the garage and utility area, a sheriff’s deputy lifted the lid of a top-Ioading washing machine and discovered the child fully cIothed inside. The deputy yelled for backup and attempted to check if the child was breathing. At that moment, the defendant pushed the deputy aside and pulled the child out of the machine himself. He was instructed to Iay the boy on the floor, and CPR was administered immediately. The child was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 7:22 a.m.
A forensic examination later revealed the child had sustained both new and old injuries indicating a pattern of abuse. He suffered blunt force trauma, facial injuries, asphyxiation and possible drowning. BIood was found in the washing machine, on nearby door frames and other surfaces. Investigators concluded the child’s death was a homicide caused by homicidal violence.
Court records and interviews uncovered disturbing text messages exchanged between the adoptive parents. Prosecutors presented messages in which the defendant threatened that ‘he is going to end up kiIIing the boy, and the victim’s mom warned she would put the child in the oven and turn it on if he did not confess to eating her oatmeal pies. The motive appeared to stem from minor disciplinary grievances, including the child eating snacks without permission. CPS confirmed the family had been investigated twice in 2022 after school staff reported facial bruising and other injuries on the child.
When deputies initially responded, both parents gave accounts that conflicted with later surveillance video and evidence. Video footage showed Tthe child playing outside the residence hours before his disappearance. Their stories about when and where they last saw him did not align with timestamps from other sources. Texas authorities also noted discrepancies between the parents’ accounts and phone records, which further contradicted their statements to officers.
The victim’s adoptive mom, Tifani, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of injury to a child by omission. She faces sentencing on September 10, 2025. Authorities said the case remains under investigation, with prior involvement by Child Protective Services documented and likely further inquiries planned regarding her actions and omissions.
