‘Disturbing’: Mother, 2 others arrested after 7-year-old was found duct-taped and dead inside closet, police say

CINCINNATI (WXIX/Gray News) - Three people were arrested in Cincinnati after a 7-year-old was tortured and found dead inside a closet, according to authorities.

A veteran homicide detective testified in court Friday morning that this was “the most disturbing” example of child abuse he had ever witnessed in his 28 years on the police force.

He revealed 7-year-old William Evans suffered severe, repeated beatings, including impact injuries to the back of his head.

He also said he believes the child was subjected to torture by burning and water torture and being choked.

His mother, Kaitlin Evans, 38, entered a plea of not guilty during her arraignment following her arrest at the home.

Two other suspects were arrested with her, including 23-year-old Nessa Keaney and 33-year-old Kirby Rankin.

According to prosecutors, the child who was “mentally handicapped” was abused for more than two months.

Evans, William’s mother, was the person directly in control of him, and the suspects all lived together in the home, prosecutors said.

The defense characterized the allegations against Evans as a “failure to act” rather than active violence.

“She just lost her child,” Evans’ defense attorney, Brandon Fox, argued in court, contending that evidence will show another individual actually caused the child’s death.

The boy’s other biological parent came to the hearing and addressed the court.

“William was my life, and I trusted you to care for him,” the child’s other parent told Evans.

The other parent told the judge, “They kept him from [me for] nine months over lies.”

The suspects are scheduled to return to court later this month.

“I don’t believe there is going to be evidence that she caused harm to this child,” Keaney’s lawyer said, adding that she tried to care for him after someone else hurt him.

“I believe she’s least culpable of anyone else charged in the crime.”

Rankin’s lawyer sought the competency evaluation due to “documented serious mental health issues.”

“We believe that he was choked,” the detective testified.

Additional charges are anticipated once final autopsy results are released.