Tavares child abuse case: Prosecutors seeking death penalty for mother, boyfriend involved in brutal beating | FOX 51 Gainesville
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Tavares child abuse case: Prosecutors seeking death penalty for mother, boyfriend involved in brutal beating

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Published  April 3, 2025 5:52am EDT
Lake County
FOX 35 Orlando

State seeks death penalty for mother and boyfriend

Prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty for Kimberley Mills and her boyfriend, Andre Walker, who are accused of brutally beating and killing 10-year-old Tavares boy Xavier Williams. Xavier Williams died in March after weeks of fighting for his life at the hospital. Both Mills and Walker now face multiple upgraded charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

The Brief

    • Prosecutors have announced they will seek the death penalty for Kimberley Mills and her boyfriend, Andre Walker, who are accused of brutally beating and killing 10-year-old Tavares boy Xavier Williams.
    • Xavier Williams died in March after weeks of fighting for his life at the hospital.
    • Both Mills and Walker now face multiple upgraded charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

TAVARES, Fla. - The state will seek the death penalty for Kimberley Mills and her boyfriend, Andre Walker, who are accused of brutally beating and killing 10-year-old Tavares boy Xavier Williams.

Content warning: This story discusses allegations of physical abuse against a child, according to information from the Tavares Police Department. The details in this story are disturbing. 

Updates in the case

What we know:

Bill Gladson, State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, announced the new developments in the case at a news conference Thursday afternoon in Lake County.

Deadly Tavares child abuse case: Prosecutors seeking death penalty for mother and boyfriend

The State Attorney's Office has announced it will seek the death penalty for the two suspects involved in the death of Xavier Williams, a 10-year-old Tavares boy, who died from suspected abuse and neglect allegedly at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend. The new development was announced at a news conference Thursday afternoon in Lake County. Xavier's mother, Kimberley Mills, and her boyfriend, Andre Walker, are each facing a murder charge in connection with the death of the Tavares boy who died of suspected torture and neglect, according to police.

Gladson was accompanied at the news conference by other officials, including Tavares Police Chief Sarah Coursey, as well as some of Xavier's family members, including his father, aunt and cousins. 

Prosecutors also announced the upgrade of the second-degree murder charge both Mills and Walker face to a first-degree murder charge. They also face a charge of aggravated child abuse.

Tavares boy, 10, dies after alleged torture, abuse

A 10-year-old boy from Lake County has died due to abuse and neglect, authorities said. The child's younger brother, aged 9, was also a victim of abuse, officials allege.

'Let's thank God for the news we got today'

What they're saying:

Both the Tavares police chief and Xavier's family expressed gratitude to the officials involved in the investigation and prosecution, as well as to the community for its support. 

"This case has profoundly impacted my entire agency," Coursey said. "I am deeply appreciative of the outpouring of support from our community, who have rallied behind Xavier's family during this difficult time. It has been inspiring to witness a community coming together — not only to mourn the loss of Xavier, but to honor his memory and now to seek justice in his name. I have full confidence that our State Attorney's Office will ensure that Kimberley and Andre will be held accountable for their actions."

"I want to express my family's elation in the new indictments," Xavier's aunt said. "I must say, and I think I can speak for all of the members of our family, that it hasn't been a joyous occasion, but we are pleased with the news we got today. … Let's thank God for the news we got today."

Xavier Williams, 10, died on March 21 after weeks of fighting for his life at the hospital. (Credit: Wiliams family)

Candlelight vigil for Xavier 

What you can do:

A candlelight vigil was held for Xavier last week in Tavares, Florida. Now, another will be held next week in Hartford, Connecticut, where a majority of Xavier's family members are from.

 The ceremony will take place from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, at the West Indian Social Club, which is located at 3340 Main St.

Xavier's family is asking the community to wear blue, his favorite color, and bring a candle.

What happened to Xavier?

The backstory:

On Feb. 22, Xavier's mother, Mills, and Walker took him to AdventHealth Waterman, where doctors noticed bruises and burn marks. 

Police said Walker left immediately, and Mills briefly left but returned with Xavier's 9-year-old brother.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the home, uncovering evidence of abuse, including a 10-pound weight being dropped onto Xavier's stomach and copper wire used to inflict harm, authorities said.

Xavier died on March 21 after weeks of fighting for his life at the hospital. 

Walker and Mills have both submitted written not-guilty pleas in their case. They both currently remain in the Lake County Jail. 

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office on April 3, 2025. Additional details regarding the case are based on previous reporting by FOX 35 News and details previously provided by the Tavares Police Department.

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