Pontiac man charged with horrific child abuse against his sons

In the United States, specifically in Pontiac, Michigan, a significant incident of child abuse has come to light involving a 38-year-old man named Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore. On June 26, 2025, Moore was accused of inflicting severe harm on his two young sons. The first child, a 9-year-old boy, reported multiple injuries sustained at the hands of his father. Authorities responded to the situation after the boy left the house seeking help from a neighbor, who subsequently contacted local law enforcement. The child's injuries included welts on his torso, severe abrasions around his eye and neck, and bruises consistent with being beaten with a belt and struck with a broom handle. The severity of the actions escalated to the boy being choked until he passed out. The boy's account indicated that his father was angry because he had fallen asleep on the couch and threatened him by saying, "It’s gonna happen all night" before the abuse took place. Moore's abuse did not stop there, as deputies found that the infant son, aged 1, had also been mistreated. Reports indicated that the younger child exhibited signs of severe neglect, with deputies discovering healed cigarette burns on his legs and back. Child Protective Services took immediate action in response to the situation, placing the infant with a relative since his mother is currently incarcerated. The older boy was admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition. The troubling circumstances surrounding this case underscore significant concerns about child welfare in Pontiac. Cedric Diequell-Stevens Moore’s arrest followed his disclosure to a relative about "whooping" his child for allegedly stealing, reflecting a pattern of abusive behavior. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated the urgency of addressing such horrific abuses, indicating the need for accountability and ensuring the protection of children in vulnerable situations. As the legal proceedings continue, both boys are currently under the watch of authorities, highlighting the alarming reality of child abuse and the critical need for intervention in these cases wherever necessary.