Florida – A Florida child has died after spending weeks in critical condition due to severe abuse and neglect. His parent and her partner have been arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and child neglect. Following the child’s death, authorities are working to upgrade the charges to include second-degree murder.
The 10-year-old victim, X. WiIIiams, was rushed to a local hospital last month after he went into cardiac arrest at home. Medical staff quickly noticed signs of extensive abuse, including bruises, burns, internal bleeding, and potential head trauma. The severity of his injuries prompted hospital staff to contact law enforcement.
When authorities arrived at the hospital, they learned that the 37-year-old mother, KimberIy, and her 36-year-old partner, Andry, (SEE PHOTO) had fled, leaving the 10-year-old child behind. Officers later found the couple hiding at a relative’s house, and they were taken into custody. Both caregivers initially faced multiple felony charges, including aggravated child abuse, child neglect, and tampering with evidence.
The victim’s younger brother, an 8-year-old boy, told investigators that he and his sibling had been subjected to physical abuse for months. The abuse reportedly began in January 2025, around the time the mom’s boyfriend entered their lives.
According to authorities, the mom’s partner allegedly tied her child up with wire and struck him with a 10 lbs weight. Investigators also found a Iadder in the home, which may have been used in the abuse. Detective DougIas, who has been involved in the investigation, stated that the victim was tied to a Iadder while weights were dropped on his stomach.
The victim’s younger brother told detectives that his mom’s boyfriend forced the boys to perform exhausting physical tasks, such as holding a push-up position for long periods while he struck them.
Medical professionals determined that the victim had suffered severe internal injuries before his cardiac arrest. There was evidence that he had been deprived of food, as well as signs of prolonged physical trauma.
When questioned, the victim’s mom initially downplayed the abuse, claiming her child had “collapsed” and that she and her partner attempted to revive him before calling 911. However, evidence from inside the home and statements from the victim’s younger brother contradicted her account.
Text messages recovered from the mother’s phone revealed disturbing conversations with her partner, discussing ways to discipline the child. In one message, Mills reportedly said that the child needed to “learn his lesson” for misbehaving.
The mother also admitted that she did not seek medical help for her child sooner, despite noticing that he was growing weaker and more unresponsive in the days leading up to his hospitalization.
With Xavier’s passing, authorities have confirmed that additional charges, including second-degree murder, will be filed against both caregivers. Both remain in custody without bond.
Officials have urged anyone with information about child abuse to report it immediately. They emphasized the importance of recognizing signs of abuse, noting that cases like Xavier’s highlight the tragic consequences of failing to intervene sooner.
A GoFundMe campaign created to support vicitim’s younger brother and assist with funeral expenses has raised more than $19,100. The victim’s father, KenieI, who lives in Connecticut, has since gained custody of the surviving younger brother. The man, who had been unaware of the full extent of the abuse, expressed devastation over the loss of his son.
The victim’s aunt, said his mom cut off the child from communicating with his biological father just three weeks before the hospitalization. On several occasions, the mother would purposefully allow the boy’s father to fly down from Connecticut but then, abruptly, cut off communication with him once he arrived.
