The father of a seven-year-old boy who prosecutors say was tortured to death by his mother and her two transgender lovers is himself transgender, according to police.
William Michael-Evans-Ellis was found dead last week in a closet in his Cincinnati, Ohio, home. His mother, Kaitlin Evans, 39, has been charged with his murder, along with two transgender women, Nessa Keaney and Kirby Rankin. The boy's other parent, Tara Ellis, who is transgender, has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is reportedly distraught by William's death.
Prosecutors allege that William suffered extensive abuse, including water torture, before his death. His body was found bound and duct-taped in a closet. The coroner reported blunt force trauma and multiple, unquantifiable bruises on the child's body. The coroner also stated that the boy had likely been dead for at least a day when he was discovered.
According to court documents, Tara Ellis, who previously went by the name Thomas and transitioned after William's birth, had moved out of the home approximately nine months before the boy's death. She told the court that she last saw William in December 2025 and that she had been kept from him.
Evans, Keaney, and Rankin, who were allegedly co-parenting William, have all pleaded not guilty to murder charges and are currently on suicide watch at Hamilton County Jail. Rankin, whose birth name is Adamhnan Judaydon Caoilte Lugh Keaney, and Keaney, have also been charged with child endangerment. Prosecutors stated that there was evidence showing William had been abused for over two months by the trio.
Investigators found evidence of significant physical beatings, impact injuries to the back of the head, burns, and signs of waterboarding. Despite the alleged abuse, the trio reportedly took their dog to be vaccinated the day before William's death.
Attorneys for the defendants have asserted their clients' innocence or minimized their roles. Kaitlin Evans' attorney stated that another party was responsible for the death but acknowledged her client failed to save her son. Keaney's lawyer claimed her client failed to administer treatment for injuries allegedly caused by someone else. Rankin's legal team requested a mental health evaluation, citing documented serious mental health issues.
A detective involved in the investigation described the case as one of the most disturbing examples of child abuse he had encountered in two decades.
William's maternal grandparents, Michael and Tina Evans, told The Cincinnati Enquirer that they were heartbroken. They stated they were cut off from seeing William in early July, approximately two months before his death. Michael Evans recalled being allowed into the home on July 12 for a 20-minute conversation with Rankin, during which he hugged William and told him they loved him. This was the last time they saw the child alive.
Michael Evans also stated that Tara had introduced Kaitlin to Rankin and Keaney. Initially, the four adults got along, hosting regular game nights. When they all lived together in the Oakley home, William would spend weekends with his grandparents. The situation changed after Kaitlin and Tara had a falling out, leading Tara to move out and leave William with Evans, Keaney, and Rankin. Despite this, William reportedly told his grandparents he loved his new family.
Bonds for Evans, Keaney, and Rankin were set at $1 million for murder charges, with additional amounts for child endangerment charges. Their next court appearance is scheduled for August 17.