Latest news with #TavaresPoliceCharity
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Yahoo
Hundreds gather in Tavares for candlelight vigil for Xavier Williams
At least 600 community members gathered by Lake Dora Saturday to honor and mourn the life of 10-year-old Xavier Williams. Tavares Police Department, which is investigating Xavier's death, hosted the candlelight vigil at Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares. 'Please consider wearing blue, Xavier's favorite color, as a gesture of unity and love. For those wishing to offer additional support to the family, the Tavares Police Charity continues to accept donations,' said Tavares Police. Those who attended the vigil wore blue shirts with Xavier's face on the front. 'Honestly, it warms my heart to see so much love outpouring. It feels like a whole big family,' said Cameil Williams, Xavier's Aunt. Some knew him. Many did not. But all came to mourn a child whose life was taken far too soon. 'I did not know them, no. But they needed love, and my granddaughter wanted to go up and speak to the dad and the aunt and tell them God loved them,' said Elizabeth Jackson, a community member. The 10-year-old died last week, after fighting for his life for weeks in the hospital from what police said was gruesome abuse and neglect at the alleged hands of his mother Kimberley Mills and boyfriend Andre Walker. Abuse, including dropping a 10-pound weight on his abdomen. 'While he was having weights dropped on his stomach---he was duct-tapped to a ladder,' a detective said on the stand. His story has shaken the Tavares community, leaving behind sorrow and anger, both young and old. 'It's not okay that happened, that the mom and boyfriend did that. It's not okay, and I came to support the family,' said a young attendee. Detectives said he had been uncontentious for nearly a month after Andre Walker and Kimberly Mills were seen dropping him off at the Advent Health Waterman Hospital in late February. As the soft hum of prayers filled the air, tears fell freely, hands grasped tightly, and candle flames wavered in the evening breeze—symbols of both heartbreak and hope. The Tavares Police Department, which organized the vigil, stood among the mourners, visibly moved by the overwhelming support. According to court records, Walker faces a second-degree murder charge, aggravated child abuse, and neglect. Walker faces aggravated child abuse. Both are due in Lake County court on March 31st. His family has set a GOFUNDME for medical expenses, funeral arraignments and care expenses for his younger brother. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Tavares to host vigil for 10-year-old who died after alleged torture, abuse by mother and boyfriend
The Brief The Tavares Police Department will host a candlelight vigil next weekend for Xavier Williams, the 10-year-old boy who died Friday after allegedly suffering severe abuse and neglect at the hands of his mother and his mother's boyfriend. The candlelight vigil will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares. Family members are asking the community to wear Xavier's favorite color, blue, as a gesture of unity and love at the event. TAVARES, Fla. - The Tavares Police Department will host a candlelight vigil next weekend for Xavier Williams, the 10-year-old boy who died Friday after allegedly suffering severe abuse and neglect at the hands of his mother and his mother's boyfriend. Local perspective The candlelight vigil will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares. Xavier's family is inviting everyone in the community to join them in the "moment of remembrance and gratitude for your overwhelming support during this time," police said in a press release on Saturday. "Let us come together to show our love, compassion and solidarity as we celebrate Xavier's life and the joy he brought to those around him," police said. "Let us gather as one community, honoring Xavier and surrounding his family with the strength of our care and kindness." Family members are asking the community to wear Xavier's favorite color, blue, as a gesture of unity and love at the event. "Our department has been unwavering in our efforts from the very beginning," the Tavares Police Department said in an updated statement on Saturday. "This little boy showed incredible courage and strength, holding on for as long as he could. His bravery and spirit have deeply touched us all. Though his loss is immeasurable, we will carry his memory with us as we continue to fight for a swift and just resolution for him and his brother. We humbly ask that you keep his younger brother, father, extended family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time. Together, we will stand strong, united by his legacy and inspired by his strength." What you can do Those who wish to offer additional support to the family can do so through the Tavares Police Charity or through a GoFundMe page set up for the family to provide further assistance. The backstory Xavier died Friday after suffering severe abuse and neglect, according to the Tavares Police Department. RELATED:Boy dies after alleged torture, abuse by mother, her boyfriend; enhanced charges expected Detectives are actively investigating the case, working with the State Attorney's Office to enhance charges against the suspects, Kimberley Mills, the boy's mother, and Andre Walker, Mills' boyfriend. Xavier's younger brother, aged 9, was also a victim of abuse, officials allege. Mills and Walker are both facing multiple charges related to the alleged abuse of both boys. These were the charges prior to Xavier's death, but authorities anticipate that charges will be enhanced. Kimberley Mills Two counts of aggravated child abuse Two counts of child neglect One count of tampering with evidence Two counts of accessory to aggravated child abuse Andre Walker Two counts of aggravated child abuse Two counts of accessory to aggravated child abuse One count of tampering with evidence Officers said both Mills and Walker had refused to cooperate with the investigation. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information gathered from previous reporting, as well as information shared by the Tavares Police Department in a new release on March 22, 2025.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Taveres Police release new details after 10 year old 'tortured' by couple dies
Tavares police are releasing new details of the 10-year-old child who died after being tortured by a Taveres couple. The police department shared a picture of 10-year-old Xavier Williams. Detectives say he had been uncontentious for nearly a month after Andre Walker and Kimberly Mills were seen dropping off at the Advent Health Waterman Hospital on Feb. 22. Police say Xavier touched the hearts of so many. To honor his life, they're hosting a candlelight vigil next Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at Wooton Park in downtown Tavares. They're asking everyone to wear blue—Xavier's favorite color—as a gesture of unity and love. The department added in a statement—' Xavier's family warmly invites everyone in our community to join them in this moment of remembrance and gratitude for your overwhelming support during this time. Let us come together to show our love, compassion, and solidarity as we celebrate Xavier's life and the joy he brought to those around him.' Tavares police say they expect enhanced charges to be filed against Kimberly Mills and Andre Walker--this Monday. They're accused of abusing the child-- including dropping a 10-pound weight on the child's abdomen. 'While he was having weights dropped on his stomach---he was duct-tapped to a ladder,' a detective said on the stand. Investigators say the child had bruises and burns in various stages of healing-- and also showed signs of sexual abuse. For those wishing to offer additional support to the family, the Tavares police charity is accepting donations. The family has also set up a GoFundMe page. Family's GoFundMe: Tavares Police Charity: Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Sheer brutality': Details released in Tavares abuse case that left child in critical condition
As the 10-year-old at the center of a child abuse case in Tavares remains fighting for his life in the hospital, the police department has released more details on what happened to him. WARNING: The details in this story may be disturbing. The Tavares Police Department has described the abuse as torture, saying he endured 'unimaginable pain.' Police say the young victim was bound with duct tape while the suspects hurt him with weights. Detectives also found copper wire they say was used in the torture. 'The sheer brutality of these acts is indescribable,' the department said in a news release. A couple, Kimberley Mills and her boyfriend, Andre Walker, are facing multiple charges of aggravated child abuse, neglect and tampering with evidence. Bail for Walker has been denied. Police say the child's brother is also a victim of the pair, saying it was he who helped them learn more about the case. 'Through the courage of this young sibling, detectives uncovered the horrifying details of the abuse. This little boy revealed how both he and his older brother suffered unspeakable torment. His bravery in sharing these truths has given our team the determination to ensure that justice is served,' the department stated. The Tavares Police Department and the Tavares Police Charity are accepting gift card donations the victims and their family. Donations can be made in person at the Tavares Police Department or online through the Tavares Police Charity's Facebook page. You may donate money to the child's family through the Tavares Police Department at this link. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Florida mom, man at center of child abuse, torture case plead not guilty to charges
The Brief A Florida mom and her boyfriend have both pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges after a 10-year-old boy is "fighting for his life." Kimberly Mills, the boy's mom, and her boyfriend, Andre Walker, both entered not-guilty pleas. The boy's biological father is in Florida. The boy's brother has been placed in DCF care, officials said. A Florida boy's mom and her boyfriend have pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges after a 10-year-old boy was dropped off at a hospital with "head-to-toe bruises and burns," officials said. Officials said it is believed that the boy was "tortured" inside his Tavares home. That boy remains hospitalized in critical condition and it is unclear if he'll survive, police said. Content warning: This story discusses allegations of physical abuse against a child, according to information from the Tavares Police Department. The details in this story are disturbing. The backstory On Saturday, Feb. 22, the boy's mom and boyfriend – Kimberly Mills and Andre Walker – brought the boy to the hospital. Health workers immediately noticed that the boy was covered in bruises in various stages of healing, as well as burn marks all over his body, the Tavares Police Department said. Police said Mills left the hospital after she found out law enforcement was called. She later went back to the hospital with the boy's brother. Walker left the hospital immediately and turned himself in to the Lake County Sheriff's Office on Monday, officials said. What they're saying "It is clear to our agency that this child underwent gruesome abuse. He is covered head to toe. Excuse me. He is covered head to toe in various sized bruises that are in various stages of healing. Additionally, he is covered in burn marks," said a detective with the Tavares Police Department, who became visibly emotional while providing an update on the case. "This 10-year-old little boy is fighting for his life. He is in critical condition, and we are unsure which direction his healing will go." Police alleged that the boy's mom has not cooperated with the investigation. What's next In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Tavares Police Department said the boy remained at the hospital and was still listed in critical condition. "Please keep him, his biological father and little brother in your thoughts and prayers," the agency said. Police said it expects additional updates to be released "in the coming days." What you can do Tavares Police said the Tavares Police Charity is working on some sort of initiative for people who would like to help the boy's family, his brother, and father. "We have had several people reach out to us on how they could help the family. Tavares Police Charity is coordinating something to make this happen. We will be able to put out information on this soon as well," the agency said. Specific details have not been released. The Source The Tavares Police Department issued a news release on Feb. 23, held a news conference on Feb. 24, and provided an update on Feb. 26. FOX 35 is also looking at court records for both suspects via the Lake County Clerk of Court.
