Background: Xavier Williams. Insets: Kimberley Mills, and Andre Walker. (Tavares Police Department).
Police disclosed on Friday that a 10-year-old boy has passed away after enduring weeks in critical condition as a result of “unimaginable abuse and neglect.” Currently, the boy’s mother, Kimberley Mills, 37, and her boyfriend, Andre Walker, 36, are under arrest for a child abuse case in Lake County, Florida. Law enforcement officials stated that they are collaborating with prosecutors to pursue escalated charges. The son was identified as Xavier Williams, 10.
According to prior coverage by Law&Crime, Mills and Walker arrived at Advent Health Waterman hospital with the unresponsive child around 10 p.m. on the night of Feb. 22. The boy was not breathing and displayed burns, bruises, and other injuries in various stages of healing, as per authorities.
Mills was administering CPR while Walker went inside to seek help from the staff, and nurses promptly initiated first aid, police revealed. Allegedly, the couple departed the scene upon being informed that law enforcement was en route.
Mills returned to the hospital after a “short period of time” with another child but Walker never came back, police said. Mills allegedly refused to give cops information about Walker’s whereabouts or even identify him. Eventually, she gave up Walker’s name to the Department of Children and Families, police said.
Cops claim that the couple had beat and tortured Xavier, and also abused the other child.
When police searched the home, they found items they believe the couple used to abuse the children, including 10-pound weights, boxing gloves, a copper wire and a flashlight, Orlando ABC affiliate WFTV reported.
At a hearing earlier this month, Tavares Police Detective Douglas Roberts testified about some of the alleged abuse Xavier Williams endured.
“While he was having weights dropped on his stomach—he was duct-taped to a ladder,” Roberts reportedly said.
Police announced a candlelight vigil to take place Saturday at 7 p.m. at Wooton Park in downtown Tavares.
From authorities:
Xavier’s family warmly invites everyone in our community to join them in this moment of remembrance and gratitude for your overwhelming support during this time. Let us come together to show our love, compassion, and solidarity as we celebrate Xavier’s life and the joy he brought to those around him.
Please consider wearing blue, Xavier’s favorite color, as a gesture of unity and love.
For those wishing to offer additional support to the family, the Tavares Police Charity continues to accept donations. Additionally, the family has set up a GoFundMe page to provide further assistance. Both links are included below.
Let us gather as one community, honoring Xavier and surrounding his family with the strength of our care and kindness.
The GoFundMe, run by the paternal side of his family, is here, and the police charity is here.
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