Kaitlin Evans allegedly killed her 7-year-old son William Evans alongside two other women who lived with them in an Ohio home where the boy's body was found bound with duct tape inside a closet, according to court records and prosecutors.
Background
Evans, 38, shared a home in the 2800 block of Madison Road with Nessa Keaney and Kirby Rankin in what authorities described as a co-parenting arrangement. Court documents state William was "mentally handicapped," though investigators did not disclose his specific condition. The three women were collectively responsible for caring for the boy.
Officers with the Cincinnati and Norwood Police Departments responded to the home shortly after 1 p.m. on Aug. 6 following a report of a possible disturbance, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer. First responders discovered William inside the residence where emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead.
During Friday's arraignment, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Kate Burroughs told the court that investigators believe William had been subjected to at least two months of physical and mental abuse before his death. A detective testified that the boy suffered injuries consistent with repeated beatings, including impact trauma to the back of his head, face, torso, back, and extremities.
The Investigation
Prosecutors allege William was subjected to what a detective described as "water torture" — being held underwater for extended periods — along with burn injuries. The boy's hands and feet were bound with duct tape when authorities discovered his body inside a closet, according to court testimony.
Despite witnessing the alleged abuse, none of the three women sought medical assistance or contacted law enforcement, prosecutors said. Investigators added that all three suspects left William home alone one day before his death to take one of their pets to a veterinarian for a checkup.
Rankin disclosed her involvement in what investigators described as a "prolonged child abuse incident" and implicated Evans and Keaney as "active participants" in the alleged abuse, according to testimony. Defense attorneys disputed the extent of their clients' involvement — Evans' attorney Brandon Fox characterized the allegations as a "failure to act" rather than active violence.
Key Takeaways
- Kaitlin Evans, Nessa Keaney, and Kirby Rankin each face murder and child endangerment charges in connection with William Evans' death
- All three women were described as co-parenting the 7-year-old boy who had been allegedly abused for two months before his death
- William's body was found bound with duct tape inside a closet at their shared home on Madison Road in Ohio
- A detective testified the boy suffered blunt force injuries, "water torture," and burn wounds
- All three defendants pleaded not guilty; bond set at $1.1 million each
What's Next
A Hamilton County grand jury is scheduled to hear the case Aug. 17. Rankin's attorney requested a competency evaluation citing "documented serious mental health issues" — a hearing on that matter is set for Sept. 4.
Authorities are awaiting completion of an autopsy before releasing an official cause of death. Prosecutors indicated additional charges could be filed following the autopsy results and further interviews.
William's other biological parent attended Friday's hearing and addressed Evans directly: "William was my life, and I trusted you to care for him." The parent also claimed the defendants had kept William away for nine months "over lies."