Two Canton parents have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty in the death of a 3-year-old boy who authorities said died from starvation, according to court records.
Demetres Givens, 42, and Jamie Thompson, 37, each pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter and endangering children. Stark County court documents reviewed by Jordan Miller News show both were sentenced to prison terms of eight to 12 years.
The child, identified as 3-year-old Berko Givens, died May 5, 2025.
Canton police were called to a home in the 3100 block of Gilbert Circle Northeast after a report of an unresponsive child. First responders found the boy not breathing and he was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Authorities later ruled the child’s cause of death was starvation.
A criminal complaint previously obtained by Jordan Miller News alleged the couple failed to provide adequate food and medical care over a period of several months despite warnings from a pediatrician about the child’s deteriorating condition. Investigators said doctor appointments were repeatedly canceled and treatment recommendations were not followed.
Court officials also clarified early in the case that the child was not in foster care, as initially reported, but was in the legal custody of the couple at the time of his death.
The alleged neglect occurred between Oct. 1, 2024, and May 4, 2025, according to investigators.
Givens and Thompson surrendered to authorities May 13, 2025, after arrest warrants were issued. A judge set bond at $1 million for each due to the seriousness of the charges.
Police initially responded to the home the night of May 5 for a report of a child found unresponsive in bed. During a 911 call, Thompson told a dispatcher the boy was not breathing and that she had attempted to wake him to feed him.
The investigation was conducted by the Canton Police Department.
