A seven-year-old boy in Cincinnati died from blunt force trauma to the head, authorities said, after he was allegedly tortured for over two months by his mother and her two transgender partners. William Michael Evans-Ellis was found dead in his home on a Thursday, according to court records.
The Hamilton County Coroner's office confirmed the cause of death. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of sexual assault prior to the boy's death due to the nature of the case.
William's mother, Kaitlin Evans, 38, and her partners, Nessa Keaney, 23, and Kirby Rankin, 23, are accused of co-parenting the child. Prosecutors stated in court that there was evidence of abuse spanning more than two months.
When police entered the residence, they discovered William in a closet, bound and duct-taped. Investigators noted visible injuries across his body, including signs of physical beatings, impact injuries to the back of his head, and severe burns consistent with waterboarding. The group reportedly took their dog to be vaccinated the day before the boy's death, despite the alleged ongoing abuse.
Attorneys for the defendants have entered pleas and made arguments regarding their clients' involvement and potential mental health issues. An attorney for Kaitlin Evans claimed she did not cause her son's death but admitted to failing to save him, requesting a $250,000 bond. Prosecutors sought $1 million for the murder charge and an additional $500,000 for child endangerment, which the judge granted.
An attorney for Keaney stated that her client failed to administer treatment for injuries allegedly caused by another party, requesting a $200,000 bond. Prosecutors countered that Keaney did not report the abuse, and her bond was set at $1 million.
Attorneys for Rankin requested a mental health evaluation, citing documented serious mental health issues. Rankin's bond was set at $1 million for the murder charge and an additional $100,000 for child endangerment.
A detective involved in the investigation described the case as one of the most disturbing examples of child abuse he had encountered in his two decades of work. Rankin reportedly confessed to her involvement and implicated Evans and Keaney.
The biological parent of the child, who was not identified, addressed Evans in court, stating, "I trusted you." They also claimed William had been kept away from them through deception.
The trio are scheduled to appear in court again on August 17. All three are reportedly on suicide watch at the Hamilton County Jail.