10-Year-Old Boy Dies Weeks After Allegedly Suffering 'Unimaginable Abuse' from Mom and Her Boyfriend: Police

• Xavier Williams, 10, has died after allegedly suffering “unimaginable abuse” from his mother and her boyfriend, police have said
• “This innocent child’s life was marked by unspeakable suffering, and his loss has deeply shaken our community and everyone involved in this case,” the Tavares Police Department in Florida wrote on Facebook
• Kimberley Mills and Andre Walker are facing multiple charges after the victim was taken to hospital “covered with bruises,” a previous police post stated

A 10-year-old boy in Florida has died after allegedly suffering “unimaginable abuse” at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, authorities have said.

On Saturday, March 22, the Tavares Police Department confirmed in a Facebook post that Xavier Williams, “a beloved 10-year-old boy who touched the hearts of many,” had died. Officers said in a previous post that he’d died the day prior.

“With profound sorrow, the Tavares Police Department announces the tragic passing of a 10-year-old boy, a victim of unimaginable abuse and neglect at the hands of those who were meant to care for him,” police stated, per the post.

“This innocent child’s life was marked by unspeakable suffering, and his loss has deeply shaken our community and everyone involved in this case,” the message continued.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to securing justice for this child and ensuring accountability for the heinous acts committed,” officers added, writing that police were “working closely with the State Attorney’s Office to enhance the charges against Kimberley Mills and Andre Walker.”

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to all who mourn this irreplaceable loss,” police concluded in the Facebook post.

A Tavares Police Department spokesperson then told PEOPLE in an email on March 25 that Mills and Walker “were both charged with 2nd degree Murder and two counts of Aggravated Child Abuse yesterday morning by the Lake County State Attorney’s Office.”

A GoFundMe page set up by the victim’s aunt to help the family financially confirmed Xavier had taken “his last breath” at 5:18 p.m. local time on Friday after he “suffered unspeakable abuse from his mother and her boyfriend.”

Police previously confirmed that on Feb. 22 the team had “responded to Advent Health Waterman, a local hospital, in reference to a juvenile male that appeared to have several injuries consistent with physical abuse,” per a Facebook statement.

Hospital staff told officers that the victim was “covered with bruises in various stages of healing, burn marks and other injuries,” according to the post, which stated that the suspects had taken the victim to the hospital, but left after learning that law enforcement was on its way.

Police said in another post on March 19 that the boy had been “beaten and tortured by his mother and her boyfriend.”

According to local NBC-affiliated station WFLA, police previously uncovered items including duct tape, a six-foot ladder and a 10-pound weight which had reportedly been used to restrain and inflict harm on the victim. Weights had reportedly been dropped on the boy’s exposed stomach, the outlet added, citing police. Xavier’s younger brother told officers he and his sibling suffered “unspeakable torment,” the station stated.

In a separate Facebook post, while identifying the victim on March 22, police confirmed that a candlelit vigil would be taking place on Saturday, March 29, at 7 p.m. at Wooton Park in Downtown Tavares to honor Xavier’s life.

“Xavier’s family warmly invites everyone in our community to join them in this moment of remembrance and gratitude for your overwhelming support during this time. Let us come together to show our love, compassion, and solidarity as we celebrate Xavier’s life and the joy he brought to those around him,” officers wrote, adding links to the Tavares Police Charity link, as well as the family’s GoFundMe page.

Police told those attending to consider wearing blue, which was Xavier’s favorite color.

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On Feb. 28, while the victim remained in critical condition, police confirmed on Facebook that Mills was facing two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of child neglect, two counts of accessory to aggravated child abuse and one count of tampering with evidence. Meanwhile, Walker is facing charges of two counts of aggravated child abuse, two counts of accessory to aggravated child abuse and one count of tampering with evidence. 

“In the event he does not make it, we are prepared to add enhanced charges,” police said of the charges at the time.

Xavier’s family’s GoFundMe had raised just over $12,900 as of Monday, March 24.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.