Cincinnati, Ohio – A couple from Ohio has been sentenced on Nov 30 to decades in prison for the abuse and killing of their adopted 8-year-old son in 2016. John Snyder and Katherine Snyder were convicted of felony charges in the death of Adam Snyder and the abuse of their other children. The couple was sentenced to 29 years to life and 31 years to life in a state correctional facility.
The Hamilton County jury found John Snyder guilty of murder, endangering children, and felonious assault, while his wife was found guilty of the same crimes, along with two additional charges of endangering children. Judge Cross handed down sentences of 15 years for the murder counts, along with consecutive sentences for the other charges. The couple was also ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and will be registered in the state’s violent offender database. They will spend the remainder of their lives on probation.
According to prosecutors, Adam was killed by blunt force trauma to his head. The couple was also accused of physically abusing their other adopted and biological children and intentionally malnourishing them. The surviving children’s advocate spoke out against the parents in court, highlighting the impact on the victims.
In a failed attempt to change the cause of death from homicide, the Snyders sued the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office. However, the coroner’s report stands, stating that Adam died from an acute subdural hemorrhage and a blunt impact injury of the head, with acute bronchopneumonia as a contributing factor.
The tragic case has shed light on the parents’ failure to meet their children’s basic physical and emotional needs. As role models, they let down their six children and left a lasting impact on their lives. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of their crimes and the need for justice.