A Kentucky couple is accused of forcing a 1-year-old boy to spend his days in a spider-filled basement and garage, where he was allowed to play in filth and eat his own used diapers until the child choked and died, according to court records.
Background
Alexandrae Price, 22, left her toddler son in the care of her boyfriend, Deavan Williams, while she went to work, according to an arrest warrant obtained by local NBC affiliate WLEX. During those hours, investigators allege the boy lived and remained in a playpen placed directly on a contaminated floor inside an un-air-conditioned garage filled with trash, beer cans, soiled diapers, and heavy cat urine.
The child was also allegedly kept in a basement described by police as filled with flies and spiders, where authorities say he had no safe place to live or play. The living area reportedly had high moisture levels and poor ventilation, posing significant health hazards to the toddler.
According to the arrest warrant, 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
The boy died on July 27 with "suspicious trauma, including mouth bleeding and body bruising," according to the arrest warrant. Williams told police he fell asleep while the boy was in his care and the child "consumed portions of a feces-contaminated diaper" and choked.
Williams admitted that he was the child's primary caregiver and the only adult supervising him during the time period immediately preceding the child's collapse, the document states. He also allegedly admitted that he and Price bathed the child outdoors with a garden hose, telling investigators he was "surprised the baby did not have parasites due to the filth."
Price admitted to investigators that the living area where her son was kept had flies and spiders. She confirmed she often left her son with Williams while she worked.
A large amount of trash and debris was found in the living area, posing significant health hazards. "He knew the baby had been eating a feces-filled diaper inside the playpen prior to becoming unresponsive," the warrant states.
The Charges
Williams is charged with wanton murder and first-degree child abuse of a child under age 12. Price is charged with child abuse. Both are scheduled to appear in Allen County District Court for preliminary hearings.
Key Takeaways
- Deavan Williams, 22, is charged with wanton murder and first-degree child abuse of a child under age 12
- Alexandrae Price, 22, is charged with child abuse in connection with her son's death on July 27
- The boy allegedly lived in a basement filled with flies and spiders and an un-air-conditioned garage containing trash, beer cans, soiled diapers, and cat urine
- Williams allegedly fed the toddler extremely spicy foods despite warnings to stop from Price
- Investigators say the child choked after consuming portions of a feces-contaminated diaper while under Williams' supervision
What's Next
Both defendants are scheduled to appear in Allen County District Court for their preliminary hearings. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the circumstances leading to the child's death.