TAVARES, Fla. – Police in Tavares say they have arrested a man wanted in a child abuse case that left a boy in critical condition over the weekend.
Police started looking for Andre Walker, 36, after a boy was brought to AdventHealth Waterman Saturday night. They said Walker ran into the hospital asking for help while the boy’s mother performed CPR on the child outside.
However, police said Walker and the mother, identified as 37-year-old Kimberley Mills, left when they learned law enforcement had been notified.
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Mills returned to the hospital without Walker, but investigators said she refused to offer any info about several injuries the boy had that appeared to be consistent with physical abuse, including bruises, burn marks and other injuries in various stages of healing.
The boy was airlifted to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Elizabeth Edmond, who lives near the home, expressed shock upon learning about the situation.
“I’m shocked because I see a lot of kids walking up and down and going up to the bus stop, and I have kids,” she said.
Neighbor Sandra Lane said she rarely saw the two children playing outside during the eight months the family lived in the neighborhood.
“I did see the two little boys playing in their yard once, and they waved to me and my daughter while we were walking,” Lane recalled.
Other neighbors expressed hope that Mills and Walker will be held accountable.
“I was real shocked when I found out what happened, and it’s real sad,” one neighbor said.
Miller was arrested and faces charges of aggravated child abuse.
Walker was wanted on a warrant for accessory after the fact to aggravated child abuse.
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