Suffer the Little Children – Bonus Minisode #13: Tazmir Ransom (January 31, 2026)

Episode Overview

This bonus minisode, hosted by Lane, is dedicated to telling the story of Tazmir Ransom—a seven-year-old boy from Philadelphia whose tragic death from child abuse received scant media attention after the immediate news cycle. Lane revisits the case, highlighting Tazmir’s short life and the subsequent legal proceedings against his mother, Natasha Charnesh Franks. The episode aims to counteract the silence that often follows initial reports of child abuse murders, ensuring that victims like Tazmir are not forgotten.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Circumstances of Tazmir’s Death

• Timeline

  • Tazmir’s seventh birthday was on April 9, 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • On April 12 (Easter Sunday), medics were called to his mother's home in Philadelphia, finding him suffering from severe injuries ([01:20]).
  • He was rushed to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children but succumbed to his injuries on April 15, 2020.

• Immediate Aftermath

  • Tazmir’s mother, Natasha Charnesh Franks, was arrested the day after the incident and initially charged with attempted murder.
  • After Tazmir’s death, charges were upgraded to include murder and several other offenses ([03:44]).

Family Perspectives and Public Grieving

• Grief and Regret
  • At a vigil for Tazmir, his paternal aunt Tanjala Pinkney expressed heartbreak:

    • "He just turned seven. There was no reason for her to take his life. She wasn't supposed to have him. She could have just gave him back to us."
      —Tanjala Pinkney ([03:03])

  • She highlighted the warning signs:

    • "It looked like he was being abused over the last couple months. My brother kept trying to go down and get custody back and trying to do what he needed to do to get him."
      —Tanjala Pinkney ([03:28])

  • Remembering Tazmir’s spirit:

    • "He was just full of life all the time, nonstop. He was just a good kid."
      —Tanjala Pinkney ([03:39])

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

• Natasha Franks’ Charges and Plea

  • Natasha’s criminal history included a 2014 conviction for firearm violations.
  • Formal arraignment took place in October 2020; after some delay, she pleaded guilty in October 2021 to:
    • Child endangerment
    • Possession of an instrument of crime
    • Involuntary manslaughter with provocation from the individual killed ([05:14])
  • Notably, murder and several other charges were later dismissed.

• Sentencing Details

  • Natasha was sentenced to 10–20 years for manslaughter, with 5–10 years for endangerment to be served concurrently.
  • She must also participate in mental health therapy and grief counseling ([06:30]).
  • Lane voiced strong concerns over the plea’s “provocation” stipulation, emphasizing:

    • "Nothing that little boy could have done warranted his own mother beating him to death."
      —Lane ([05:09])

Media Silence and Accountability

• Lack of Ongoing Coverage

  • Lane points out that, aside from initial reports, there was no further media attention on the case.
  • The podcast host had to personally review court dockets to discover plea details and sentencing ([07:24]).

• Commitment to Victims

  • Lane underscores the podcast’s mission:

    • "This is exactly why I stick with these kids' cases the way I do. The media might forget about them after the initial sensational headlines, but we won't."
      —Lane ([07:41])

  • The episode marks two years since Tazmir’s death and what would have been his ninth birthday.

• Broader Context

  • The episode briefly connects Natasha’s imprisonment to that of Christy Willis, another mother involved in a child abuse case (covered in earlier episodes), highlighting systemic issues in child welfare and legal accountability ([06:46]).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the need to honor victims:

  "I thought it was time to honor Tasmir by telling his story because April 9 would have been his ninth birthday and April 15 was the second anniversary of his death. Sleep well, Tasmir. We won't let you be forgotten."
  —Lane ([08:01])

• On legal outcomes:

  "As for the fact that her voluntary manslaughter charge includes the provocation stipulation, I'd love to hear the prosecutor's reasoning on that..."
  —Lane ([05:07])

• Family’s emotional impact:

  "There was no reason for her to take his life. She wasn't supposed to have him. She could have just gave him back to us."
  —Tanjala Pinkney ([03:03])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:58] – Lane introduces the episode and case.
• [01:20] – Timeline of Tazmir’s birthday, incident, and hospitalization.
• [03:03] – Family’s reaction (Tanjala Pinkney quotes).
• [03:44] – Details of Natasha’s charges and criminal history.
• [05:07] – Lane questions the plea's "provocation" provision.
• [06:30] – Sentence details for Natasha Franks.
• [06:46] – Parallels to other child abuse cases.
• [07:24] – Lane discusses the lack of media coverage.
• [07:41] – Lane emphasizes podcast’s commitment.
• [08:01] – Closing tribute to Tazmir.

Conclusion

This minisode is a poignant, fact-driven tribute to Tazmir Ransom—shedding light on the often-overlooked aftermath of child abuse murders, especially when media interest fades. Lane’s approach is empathetic yet unflinching, focused on memorializing Tazmir and holding systems and individuals accountable. Through detailed case review and heartfelt commentary, the podcast reinforces its mission: never to let these children’s stories be forgotten.