A Kentucky couple is accused of allowing a 1-year-old boy to live in horrific conditions—confined to a spider-filled basement and garage filled with trash, animal urine, and soiled diapers—before the child allegedly choked on his own feces-contaminated diaper and died, according to court records.
Deavan Williams, 22, is charged with wanton murder and first-degree child abuse of a child under age 12 in connection with the alleged mistreatment. The mother, Alexandrae Price, also 22, is charged with child abuse, according to Allen County court records obtained by Law&Crime.
Background
The arrest warrant states that on July 27, Williams was supervising the toddler while Price was at work when the boy collapsed and later died from what authorities describe as "suspicious trauma, including mouth bleeding and body bruising."
Williams told police he fell asleep while caring for the child, who allegedly consumed portions of a feces-contaminated diaper and choked. According to the warrant, Williams admitted he was the child's primary caregiver during the time period immediately preceding the collapse.
Investigators allege the boy had been subjected to months of extreme neglect. Police say Williams "knowingly subjected" the child to "extreme endangerment and cruel punishment," including allegedly feeding him extremely spicy foods despite Price telling him to stop.
The Investigation
According to the arrest warrant, authorities discovered the child's living conditions were filled with health hazards. The basement was infested with flies and spiders, while an un-air-conditioned garage contained trash, beer cans, soiled diapers, heavy cat urine, decomposing animals, raw sewage, and other hazardous conditions where the infant's playpen sat directly on contaminated flooring.
Williams allegedly admitted to investigators that he bathed the child outdoors with a garden hose and told police he was "surprised the baby did not have parasites due to the filth."
Price acknowledged to investigators that "the living area" had flies and spiders, according to the warrant. She stated she frequently worked long hours and left her son in Williams' care.
He knew the baby had been eating a feces-filled diaper inside the playpen prior to becoming unresponsive," the document states. A large amount of trash and debris with high moisture levels and poor ventilation posed additional health hazards, investigators reported.
Key Takeaways
- Deavan Williams is charged with wanton murder and first-degree child abuse; Alexandrae Price faces a child abuse charge
- Police allege the 1-year-old was kept in a spider-infested basement and garage filled with animal urine, feces, decomposing animals, and raw sewage
- Williams allegedly admitted he fed the child extremely spicy foods despite warnings to stop
- The toddler reportedly ate his own used diapers before collapsing on July 27
What's Next
Both defendants are scheduled to appear in Allen County District Court for preliminary hearings. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
The case remains under active investigation by the Allen County Sheriff's Office.