9-year-old boy died after his mother failed to protect him from her boyfriend’s fatal beating, then moved out of the home and left her children with his dead body for months; mother sentenced
Texas – In a disturbing case in Texas, a mother has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for her role in the death of her 9-year-old son, identified as Kendrick, and for forcing her three surviving children to live with their brother’s dead body for months. The 38-year-old mother, identified as G. Williams, pleaded guilty last month to causing serious bodily injury by omission, reflecting her failure to intervene in the fatal beating inflicted by her boyfriend, identified as B. Coulter.
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, 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.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys painted contrasting pictures of Williams’ involvement. Her defense highlighted Coulter as the perpetrator of the physical abuse, while prosecutors focused on Williams’ failure to act. Text messages between Williams and Coulter were presented, showing Williams’ conflicting emotions—questioning his abusive actions yet still professing love for him.
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 was sentenced to 50 years in prison earlier this week.
As Williams begins her long prison term, the legal proceedings have brought some measure of closure to this gruesome case. However, the psychological and emotional scars for the surviving siblings are likely to last a lifetime. Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the abuse, and further legal actions and support for the victims remain ongoing priorities. This case starkly highlights the devastating impacts of domestic abuse and the critical importance of protecting vulnerable children within our communities.
