TAVARES, Fla. – A Tavares mother and her boyfriend are now charged with second-degree murder after her 10-year-old boy died Friday from “unimaginable abuse,” according to the police department.
Kimberley Mills, 37, and Andre Walker, 36, were arrested last month after the two took Xavier Williams to the hospital, police said. The boy was covered in bruises, burn marks and other injuries, according to law enforcement.
The Tavares Police Department confirmed to News 6 on Monday that Mills and Walker are now charged with second-degree murder after the boy’s death.
“The tragic loss of Xavier has deeply impacted us all. The discovery of the egregious acts committed against him and his little brother is both heartbreaking and profoundly difficult to comprehend. Their strength and resilience inspire our agency to relentlessly pursue justice on their behalf,” the department said Monday in a release.
The couple was originally arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated child abuse, after investigators said there was clear evidence in the case, including a ladder, 10-pound weight and duct tape they say was used to torment the boy and his younger brother.
Police said Mills was performing CPR on the child when they arrived to AdventHealth Waterman while the man ran inside the hospital for help. Xavier was later taken via helicopter to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where he later died weeks after.
According to police, Mills and Walker had both left the hospital after dropping off Xavier when they learned law enforcement was responding. The mother returned a short while later with another child, Xavier’s younger brother.
The police department said investigators believe the couple left the hospital to go back to the home to do a “hasty cleanup.”
The community has continued to show support for the boy in the weeks since he was taken to the hospital, leaving flowers and creating a memorial outside the home where investigators said he was tortured.
“It was heartbreaking. I don’t know how a parent can do that to their own child and let their boyfriend do that,” said Heather Sturk, a resident in the neighborhood.
Dozens are still in shock after learning about the horrific tragedy that led to the death of Xavier, including his classmate and friend, Bailey Smith. She described Xavier as nice, fun-loving and funny, noting that he never mentioned anything about what he was going through at home.
“We’re all kind of mad at his mom and her boyfriend for doing that to him. We never expected that. I’ve never been to his house, but my friend who went in the car with him said it seemed like a normal house and a happy family,” Bailey said.
Lori Pfister, vice mayor of Tavares, said she believes this is not something the community will “ever recover from.”
“The police department, this really hit them hard. They’re a strong police department, and they’re one of the best and they’re good at what they do, but this one got them,” Pfister said.
A candlelight vigil for Xavier is set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Wooten Park in downtown Tavares. The boy’s family asks anyone who plans to attend to wear blue in honor of Xavier “as a tribute to his life and spirit,” police said.
Donations are being gathered for funeral expenses. Click here to donate to the family’s GoFundMe.
Anyone who would like to provide donations can drop them off at the police department or click here to reach the Tavares Police Charities Fund.
