10-Year-Old Boy Xavier Williams Dies After Cardiac Arrest — Events Leading Up to It Shocked the Entire Community

For weeks, investigators worked quietly behind the scenes as a Florida community searched for answers following the death of a critically injured child.

The case began on Saturday, February 22, 2025, when emergency responders in Tavares, Florida, rushed a 10-year-old boy to the hospital. His injuries were so severe that even seasoned medical professionals were shaken.

What initially appeared to be a medical emergency soon drew the attention of law enforcement and prosecutors, as concerns grew that something far more troubling had occurred inside the child's home.

What Happened

On that Saturday, emergency responders brought the 10-year-old boy to AdventHealth Waterman in cardiac arrest. Hospital staff observed extensive bruising and burn marks across his body, injuries that immediately raised alarms and prompted authorities to intervene.

He was airlifted to a children's hospital in Orlando, where he remained on life support for nearly a month. Despite extensive medical efforts, the child died on March 21, 2025. In the days that followed, authorities identified him as Xavier Williams.

Why Investigators Intervened

According to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, what investigators uncovered next transformed the case.

Xavier's death was ultimately ruled the direct result of systematic abuse inflicted inside his home in Tavares, Florida. Prosecutors said the abuse had been ongoing and severe, ultimately leading to the cardiac arrest that claimed his life.

As the investigation unfolded, authorities determined that the injuries were not accidental but part of a sustained pattern of violence by his mother and her boyfriend. Those findings ultimately led prosecutors to pursue the most serious charges available under Florida law.

Who Is Being Held Accountable

In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Cary F. Rada, Xavier's mother, 38-year-old Kimberley Leonie Mills, was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her son.

As part of her plea agreement, Kimberley will testify against her co-defendant, 37-year-old Andre Dwayne Walker, during his upcoming trial later this year.

Walker, identified as Kimberley’s paramour, remains in custody without bond. Both defendants were indicted in April 2025 on multiple charges, including First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse.

Since their indictments, both defendants have been in custody without bond. Xavier's father and extended family expressed support for the plea agreement and the resolution reached regarding Kimberley's acknowledged role in the case.

What Prosecutors Are Saying

"Our focus has always been justice for this child and accountability for those responsible," said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney.

"Mills' plea, which includes truthful testimony against her co-defendant, strengthens our ability to pursue that goal and ensures the full story is brought before the court. In doing so, Mills will spend the rest of her life incarcerated," the attorney added.

"I have no doubt she will think of Xavier every waking day and regret the pain and suffering she made him endure while she repeatedly endures her own," the state attorney continued. Assistant State Attorneys Ken Nunnelley and Nicholas Camuccio are prosecuting the case.

Community Reaction

Tavares Police Chief Sarah Coursey described the case as one that has left a lasting scar on the community. "The death of Xavier is one of the most heartbreaking crimes our community has ever faced," she said. She said the resolution guarantees a life sentence for Kimberly and strengthens prosecutors' efforts to hold her co-defendant accountable.

"While no outcome can truly bring justice for such a loss, the plea agreement ensures that Kimberley Mills will spend the rest of her life in prison and that her cooperation will help hold Andre Walker fully accountable for his heinous acts," the chief stated.

"Our department remains committed to seeking justice for Xavier and to honoring his life through the pursuit of truth and accountability," the police chief concluded.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, FOX 35 Orlando reported that Kimberley had initially pleaded not guilty but was expected to change her plea that same day. This development has ultimately led to her life sentence. Beyond the courtroom, officials say the case has prompted broader conversations about child safety and accountability.

What Comes Next

The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office and the Tavares Police Department commended the medical professionals, investigators, and prosecutors involved in the case, citing their dedication to pursuing justice and holding offenders accountable.

As Kimberly's co-defendant awaits trial, officials say their commitment remains unwavering. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with Xavier's family as this case continues forward through the judicial process," the State Attorney's Office said.

Xavier's death, authorities say, is a stark reminder of the consequences of abuse and the responsibility shared by the justice system and the community to protect its most vulnerable members.

As the case moves forward, prosecutors say their focus remains on securing full accountability for everyone involved in Xavier's death. For the Tavares community, the case has left a lasting imprint, one defined by grief, outrage, and a renewed call to protect vulnerable children.

Officials say the little boy's life, though tragically short, will not be forgotten, and that the pursuit of justice in his name will continue to guide their work long after the courtroom proceedings conclude.