In a harrowing incident from Tavares, a 10-year-old boy has died following weeks of severe abuse and neglect at the hands of his mother, Kimberley Mills, and her boyfriend, Andre Walker. The child, who had been hospitalized after going into cardiac arrest, was found with bruises, burn marks, and other injuries when he was brought to AdventHealth Waterman on February 22. Despite the medical staff's efforts, he was unable to recover from his injuries, passing away on Friday night. The case, now under scrutiny for the involvement of vile abuse, has left the local community and investigators grappling with the weight of the tragedy. According to ClickOrlando, the Tavares Police Department is working with the State Attorney’s Office to enhance charges against Mills and Walker potentially.

The initial investigation revealed a haunting scenario where the boy and his 9-year-old brother were subjected to intense and methodical torture. Tools allegedly used to perpetrate such abuse, including a 6-foot ladder, a 10-pound weight, duct tape, and thick insulated copper wire, were discovered in the boys' home. This grim evidence suggests that the older boy was tied and had the weight repeatedly dropped onto his stomach, "leaving him defenseless," a statement detailed by FOX 35 Orlando indicated. Details surrounding the timeline and precise circumstances of the child's death are yet to be fully understood as the investigation continues.

Before the boy's death, Mills was charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of child neglect, and one count of tampering with evidence. Walker faced two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of being an accessory to aggravated child abuse, and one count of tampering with evidence. Both suspects, who reportedly refused to cooperate with investigators, are being held without bond.