Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Twin Teen Boys Weigh Less Combined Than Each Should | Crime Alert 03.14.25

Release Date: March 14, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace spotlights shocking recent crime stories with a particular focus on a harrowing child abuse case involving severely malnourished twin boys in Pennsylvania. She further discusses other cases including a violent store theft, a child murder conviction in New York, an in-custody death in Wisconsin drawing comparisons to the George Floyd case, and the disappearance of a Shreveport mother. Throughout, Grace’s tone is urgent and direct, and the show features firsthand reporting and commentary from CrimeOnline contributors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Malnourished Twin Boys Case (Pennsylvania)

[01:05 – 02:05]

• 15-year-old twin boys found severely underweight:

  • A woman in Pennsylvania calls 911 after an emaciated boy in only underwear begs her for food and cannot stop eating once allowed inside.
  • Police discover the boy is 15 years old but weighs only 55 pounds; his twin brother, found at home, weighs even less.

• Alleged parental abuse:

  • The twins claim their mother and stepfather starved them, withheld water as punishment, and took away their clothes, leaving them to endure freezing temperatures outside.
  • Police found evidence of prolonged deprivation and physical abuse:
    • “Officers found that the twins slept on the floor with one blanket to share and were also subjected to physical abuse like tackling and hitting.” — Crime Online Reporter [01:41]
  • Boys had gained only about 10 pounds each in the past eight years; at their age, they should have weighed 143 pounds each.

• Criminal charges:

  • Joshua Deschamp (36) and Tracy Deschamp (42) arrested and face numerous charges, including endangering the welfare of children.

• Nancy Grace’s reaction:

  • “A TP theft. Wow, I hope that's worth doing hard jail time for.” — Nancy Grace [02:50] (in transition to next story, tone remains critical and incredulous)

Violent Store Theft (North Carolina)

[02:05 – 02:50]

• Family Dollar employee Dejah Pierce intervenes when customer Lakeena Stanley attempts to leave without paying for a $6 pack of toilet paper.
• Stanley assaults Pierce with the stolen toilet paper and drags her by the hair.
• Police quickly arrest Stanley, who is charged with assault and attempted larceny.

Conviction in Child Abuse Murder (New York)

[05:21 – 06:49]

• Ryan Cato is found guilty of second-degree murder for the 2021 death of his partner’s 10-year-old son, Aiden Wolf.
  • “Prosecutors say Cato had tortured the child for months before delivering the fatal beating inside a Harlem apartment.” — John Laemmle [05:21]
• DA Alvin Bragg calls the crime “utterly depraved.”
• Cato’s attorney, Jessica Hourani, announces plans to appeal the verdict.
• Cato had called 911 himself; Aiden was found unconscious, his body “covered in bruises, some fresh.”
• Aiden’s death is ruled as resulting from "fatal child abuse syndrome."
• Cato faces a lengthy prison sentence.

In-Custody Death Compared to George Floyd (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

[06:49 – 08:06]

• Former hotel security guard Brandon Turner pleads guilty to felony murder for the death of Devonte Mitchell.
• Incident occurred June 30, 2024: Mitchell, after allegedly alarming two women in the hotel, was restrained face-down for 8–9 minutes by Turner and other employees.
• Mitchell died of asphyxia due to restraint; medical examiners list his manner of death as homicide.
• Mitchel’s family and attorneys draw direct comparisons to the murder of George Floyd due to method and duration of restraint.
  • “Parallels between this incident and the 2020 murder of George Floyd, citing the prolonged restraint and Mitchell's pleas…” — Crime Online Reporter [06:49]
• Turner may get probation in exchange for testifying against co-defendants; sentencing scheduled for September 3rd.

Missing Person: Sherry Moody (Shreveport, Louisiana)

[08:09 – 09:17]

• Sherry Moody, a single mother of three, has disappeared under mysterious circumstances:
  • She put her sons to bed; in the morning, she was gone with her purse and belongings left behind.
  • “Family members know she would never leave her children.” — Nancy Grace [08:51]
  • Last seen in casual attire; car remaining at home suggests she left on foot.
• Grace delivers a community call-to-action, urging the public to contact Shreveport PD with tips (318-673-6955).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On child neglect and starvation:
  “The 15-year-old twins should have weighed about 143 pounds each. Police believe the boys had only gained about 10 pounds each over the last eight years.”
  — Crime Online Reporter [01:41]

• On brutality in child murder:
  “Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg called the crime utterly depraved, citing extensive internal and external injuries no child should endure.”
  — John Laemmle [05:34]

• On the George Floyd parallel:
  “Attorneys for Mitchell's family have drawn parallels between this incident and the 2020 murder of George Floyd, citing the prolonged restraint and Mitchell's pleas during the encounter.”
  — Crime Online Reporter [06:49]

• Nancy’s call to action:
  “Please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides.”
  — Nancy Grace [09:09]

Important Timestamps

• [01:05] — Case of malnourished twin boys in Pennsylvania revealed
• [01:41] — Details of the boys’ abuse, medical state, and investigation findings
• [02:05] — Violent theft at Family Dollar store in North Carolina
• [05:21] — Ryan Cato convicted for murder of 10-year-old Aiden Wolf in NYC
• [06:49] — In-custody death of Devonte Mitchell and its legal ramifications in Wisconsin
• [08:09] — Disappearance of Sherry Moody, her profile, and public call for help

Tone and Takeaway

Nancy Grace maintains her signature urgent and hard-hitting style, highlighting both the horror and impact of these crimes. The episode’s main theme is the vulnerability of victims (particularly children) and the demand for public vigilance and justice. The stories serve as a stark reminder of the need for community awareness, accountability, and empathy for those affected by crime.