In a disturbing case out of Kentucky, two individuals have been detained following the tragic death of a one-year-old baby. The infant reportedly died after consuming a feces-contaminated diaper, having been forced to live in an un-air-conditioned garage.
The involved parties, 22-year-old Deavan Williams and the child’s mother, Alexandrae Price, initially faced charges of first-degree criminal abuse. This was noted in a statement released on July 28 by the Scottsville Police Department.
Authorities reported the charges stemmed from substantial evidence pointing to severe neglect. The child was allegedly exposed to extremely hazardous living conditions, exacerbating the neglectful environment.
On August 3, further developments revealed that Williams was also charged with murder related to the death of the infant, identified as Mason Moulding. This charge was appointed after a judicious review concluded there was adequate probable cause.
Mason Moulding Was Allegedly Living in Playpen Surrounded by Filth
The investigation commenced following a distress call to the family’s residence in Scottsville at approximately 10 p.m. on July 27. The report indicated that the baby had been rushed to the hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival. As detailed in an arrest citation accessed by Lex 18, the infant suffered from “suspicious trauma,” including bleeding from the mouth and noticeable bruising across the body.
The child lost consciousness, according to the citation, after eating a feces-filled diaper while sitting inside a playpen kept in an un-air-conditioned garage. Investigators described the garage as being “filled with trash, beer cans, soiled diapers, and heavy cat urine.”
Williams told investigators, per the citation, that he was “surprised the baby did not have parasites due to the filth, and that he knew the baby had been eating a feces-filled diaper inside the playpen prior to becoming unresponsive.”
An arrest warrant filed by Scottsville Police Department in connection with the murder charges against Williams provided additional details into the child’s final days.
The baby was last seen alive July 27 while at grocery store with Price before she left for work.
Williams told investigators that he had been serving as the child’s primary caregiver when the baby collapsed, per the court records.
Investigators said that Williams admitted that he’d fallen asleep before Mason “consumed portions of a feces-contaminated diaper” and choked, according to the warrant.
During the discussion with investigators, he also told them that he had forced the child to eat “extremely spicy foods” despite Price’s objections and admitted the baby “routinely consumed diapers, couch cushions, and other unsafe objects,” according to the warrant.
Williams described the garage, where the playpen was located as having “animal urine, animal feces, raw sewage, decomposing animals, and other hazardous conditions that Williams personally described as containing pathogens and parasites,” the warrant alleged.
In a warrant filed in Price’s case, also obtained by Lex 18, investigators said the baby was also kept in a basement in the home.
“Price also stated that the living area had flies and spiders,” authorities wrote in the court documents. “A large amount of trash and debris was also found in the living area, posing significant health hazards. The living area was also reported to have high moisture levels and poor ventilation, posing a health hazard.”
The couple bathed the child with a garden hose, due to a lack of running water, according to the warrant.
The baby’s grandmother, Tina Renee Price, 51, is also facing charges of first-degree criminal abuse, knowingly abuse/neglect of an adult by a person and second-degree cruelty to animals, according to a statement from Scottsville Police.
Animals Found With “Severe Signs of Neglect” Inside Deavan Williams’ Home
As part of the investigation, the Allen County Animal Control also removed three dogs, 12 cats and a opossum from the home, police said in a July 31 update to the case.
“Sadly, most of the animals showed severe signs of neglect, and several are in such poor condition that humane euthanasia will be necessary,” they wrote. “Based on the evidence developed during this investigation, animal cruelty charges will be forthcoming.”
They added that multiple agencies were also working “to address the welfare and placement needs of other vulnerable individuals associated with this residence,” however, they declined to provide further details.
“We understand the community wants immediate answers and action,” police wrote. “Unfortunately, thorough investigations take time. We ask for your continued patience as we work to ensure every victim is protected and every person responsible is held accountable.”
Its unclear whether any of the defendants has retained an attorney or entered a plea to the charges against them.