9-year-old boy died after his mother failed to protect him from the beating he suffered at her boyfriend’s hands, and then left her children to live with his body for months; mother pleads guilty
Texas – In a harrowing case in Texas, a mother stood by while her boyfriend fatally beat her 9-year-old son, identified as Kendrick, and subsequently left his siblings to live with his decomposing body for a year. The 38-year-old mother, identified as G. Williams, recently pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily injury by omission in the wake of her son’s death.
The chilling events came to light in October 2021 when a 15-year-old boy, one of Kendrick’s siblings, bravely contacted 911. He reported that he and his two other siblings, ages 7 and 10, had been living with Kendrick’s body in their apartment since his death in late 2020. The police investigation revealed that after Kendrick was killed, his body was covered with a blue blanket by Williams and her boyfriend, B. Coulter, who then moved to another apartment, leaving the children behind in unimaginable conditions.
Authorities arrested Williams and Coulter a few weeks following the emergency call. In April, Coulter, 34, was found guilty of first-degree murder following a five-day bench trial and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The trial brought to light gruesome details, including testimonies from Kendrick’s siblings who witnessed Coulter repeatedly beating Kendrick. One of Kendrick’s younger brothers recounted the horrific moment he watched until Kendrick “stopped blinking” during the assault.
The aftermath of this tragedy prompted significant judicial and community responses. Assistant DA C. Byrom expressed the emotional weight of the case, stating, “The death of Kendrick was so tragic, and because of the fact that for so long there was no one to speak up for him, we felt like we had a duty to be his voice. It was important that we were able to secure justice for him.”
Edward A. Appelbaum, co-counsel in the case, commented on the emotional impact of the details revealed during the trial. “No matter who you are, if you’re a human being, the facts of this case would shake you to the core. It’s a horrific act,” he said.
Williams, for her part, faced charges that accused her of failing to protect Kendrick, and to provide him with proper medical care, food, and shelter. Following her guilty plea, she now faces up to 55 years in prison, with her sentencing scheduled for November 11.
This case also casts a spotlight on the three surviving children who were left to fend for themselves under dire circumstances. Authorities discovered them living alone, the oldest having taken on the caretaker role for his younger siblings. Their resilience and survival are being addressed by child protective services, as the community grapples with the shocking nature of the abuse and neglect they endured.
As the court proceedings wind down, the focus has shifted to ensuring such tragedies are prevented in the future. The case serves as a grim reminder of the crucial need for vigilance in child welfare and community support systems. This case continues to resonate deeply within the community and beyond, serving as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of neglect and the critical importance of protecting the most vulnerable in society.
