Latest news with #XavierWilliams
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Family mourns 10-year-old Xavier Williams, allegedly killed by mother, her boyfriend
The Brief Authorities say 10-year-old Xavier Williams was tortured and beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend. His father, who shared custody, lived in Connecticut and frequently visited. The family is holding a candlelight vigil in his honor on Saturday in Tavares. TAVARES, Fla. - Authorities say 10-year-old Xavier Williams was tortured and beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend. FOX 35 spoke with the boy's aunt, Cameil Williams, who said the family is devastated. What we know Authorities say 10-year-old Xavier Williams from Tavares was tortured and beaten to death by his mother, Kimberly Mills, and her boyfriend, Andre Walker. Investigators believe he endured severe abuse before being hospitalized for a month and ultimately removed from life support. Both suspects are facing second-degree murder charges. What we don't know Details surrounding the extent of the abuse remain undisclosed. While investigators discovered various objects—including a ladder, a 10-pound weight, and duct tape—that may have been used in the abuse, authorities have not publicly confirmed their role in Xavier's death. It is also unclear whether there were previous warning signs or reports of abuse before his hospitalization. The backstory Xavier's parents divorced in 2019, and his father, Keniel Williams, lived in Connecticut while sharing joint custody with Mills. He frequently visited Florida to see his children. Xavier's surviving sibling has now lost both his mother and brother as a result of the case. What they're saying Family members are devastated by Xavier's death. His aunt, Cameil Williams, described the pain of watching her nephew take his last breath, saying, "It was the most painful thing to watch my nephew take his last breath… that tore me apart." She also expressed disbelief over the level of cruelty, stating, "There is nothing that he could have [done] to warrant this." She added, "I'm trying to be strong and not break down every time — but it's hard because a lot of stuff that's out there that's already brutal for you guys — there's so much more that you don't know that we can't say." Timeline Xavier was hospitalized for a month before he was taken off life support. His family is now planning a candlelight vigil in his honor, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday at Wooten Park in Tavares. 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 previous reporting by FOX 35 News, the Tavares Police Department, and Cameil Williams, aunt of Xavier Williams.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
New charges expected for couple accused of torturing 10-year-old to death
A couple who has been accused of torturing a 10-year-old to death in Tavares is expected to face new charges soon. Kimberley Mills and Andre Walker – the boy's mother and her boyfriend – are facing a slew of charges, including child neglect and tampering with evidence. They have been held at the Lake County jail since their arrest back in February. On Friday, Tavares police announced the boy, Xavier Williams, died after spending almost a month in critical condition at Orlando Health in downtown Orlando. Williams had been initially taken to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, but his injuries were so violent that he needed to be transported. According to the Tavares Police Department, the boy's mother took him to an emergency room while trying to perform CPR on him. Doctors told police William arrived at the ER in cardiac arrest, likely following a long session of torture, according to TPD. Mills and Walker were scheduled to be arraigned on Monday on the child abuse and the other charges stemming from their original arrest in February. Court documents show that the arraignment hearing was canceled, but a jail official told Channel 9 over the phone that their appearance before a judge is still scheduled for Monday morning. While the investigations continue, Tavares Police announced a vigil in honor of Xavier Williams and in hopes of helping his family, including his younger brother, who is now with DCF. That vigil is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th, at Wooten Park in Downtown Tavares. 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.
