Cincinnati, OH — Three people have been charged after a 7-year-old boy was found dead inside a closet Thursday afternoon in what investigators described as an extremely disturbing child abuse case.
According to Cincinnati police and prosecutors, 38-year-old Kaitlin Evans, the child's mother, along with 23-year-old Nessa Keaney and 33-year-old Kirby Rankin, each face charges of murder and endangering children.
During a court hearing Friday, a veteran homicide detective testified that the case was "the most disturbing" child abuse investigation he had encountered in his 28 years in law enforcement.
Investigators allege that 7-year-old William Evans suffered repeated beatings, including injuries to the back of his head, and believe he was subjected to burning, water torture, and strangulation. Prosecutors also alleged the child, who was described in court as having a mental disability, endured abuse for more than two months.
Defense attorneys disputed aspects of the allegations. Evans pleaded not guilty, with her attorney arguing the evidence would show another person caused the child's death. Attorneys for the other two defendants also denied their clients were primarily responsible and challenged the allegations against them.
The child's other biological parent addressed the court, expressing grief and alleging they had been prevented from seeing William for several months.
Authorities said additional charges are expected once the final autopsy results are completed.
All criminal charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.