Manchester man sentenced to prison in connection with toddler's death
An Adams County man was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison recently after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangering charges in connection with the death of a 2-year-old last summer.
Brian Moser (formerly known as Terry Smith III), 23, had been indicted in July 2025 on 10 charges, including murder, an unclassified felony; involuntary manslaughter, a first-degree felony; and endangering children, four second-degree felonies and four third-degree felonies.
As previously reported by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, on July 1 at approximately 9:08 a.m., the Adams County Communications Center received a 911 call for a 2-year-old who was reported unresponsive at an apartment complex in West Union.
Deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, along with EMTs from West Union Fire and EMS Department, responded to the scene. When units arrived on scene, they located the child not breathing. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Adams County Coroner’s Office, while Moser and Tien Hawkins, 25, were arrested and charged with child endangerment.
Court records show Moser pleaded guilty March 3 to the involuntary manslaughter charge and two third-degree felony child endangering charges, one of which was amended.
For those charges, it is alleged that on or about June 30 through July 2, Moser “caused the death” of a 2-year-old child and that “such death was the proximate result of Moser committing or attempting to commit the felony offense of child endangering.” It is further alleged that from April 1 through July 2, Moser “recklessly administered corporal punishment or other physical disciplinary measure, or physically restrained the child in a cruel manner or for a prolonged period, which punishment, discipline or restraint was excessive under the circumstances and caused a substantial risk of serious physical harm” to the child.
During a sentencing hearing March 24, Adams County Common Pleas Court Judge Brett Spencer sentenced Moser to an indefinite mandatory prison term of at least 11 years on the involuntary manslaughter charge, consecutive to three years on each child endangering charge, for a total minimum of 17 years in prison. Under the Reagan Tokes Law, Moser could serve up to 22.5 years in prison. He had 267 days of jail time credit.
Moser was additionally ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.
Hawkins, of West Union, who is facing eight charges in connection with this case, is scheduled for a change of plea hearing May 8 at noon, according to court records.