CINCINNATI, Ohio – A Cincinnati mother and two trans-identifying individuals face murder and child endangerment charges after police discovered the woman's 7-year-old son unresponsive and bound in a closet at their shared residence. The victim, William Evans, was found by officers responding to a disturbance call on Thursday afternoon at a home on Madison Road in Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood.
"among the most disturbing child-abuse cases he had encountered during more than two decades in law enforcement." — Veteran Homicide Detective, Cincinnati Police Homicide Unit
Authorities identified the defendants as Kaitlin Evans, 38, the boy's mother, and Nessa Keaney, 23, and Kirby Rankin, 33, both trans-identifying individuals who resided with Evans. All three were arraigned before Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Rodney Harris on Friday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. They remain in custody, with bond set at $1.1 million for each defendant—$1 million for the murder charge and $100,000 for child endangerment.
During Friday's hearing, a veteran homicide detective provided testimony that painted a grim picture of the circumstances surrounding William's death. The detective informed the court that the investigation into William Evans’ death ranked "among the most disturbing child-abuse cases he had encountered during more than two decades in law enforcement." According to the detective’s testimony, William had sustained severe injuries consistent with physical beatings, including blunt-force trauma to his face, torso, back, and extremities. Additionally, impact injuries were observed on the back of his head. Investigators also believe William was submerged underwater for a prolonged period and noted evidence of burns on his body.
Prosecutors indicated that the alleged abuse may have spanned more than two months. They also stated that additional charges could be filed pending the final autopsy results from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, which conducted an examination on Friday but had not yet determined an official cause of death at the time of the hearing. The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury.
Court testimony revealed that Kirby Rankin disclosed involvement in what investigators described as prolonged child abuse and implicated both Kaitlin Evans and Nessa Keaney as active participants. Rankin’s attorney requested a competency evaluation for their client, citing documented mental health concerns. Judge Harris granted the request, scheduling Rankin to return to court on September 4.
Defense attorneys for Evans and Keaney disputed the extent of their clients’ alleged involvement. Brandon Fox, representing Kaitlin Evans, argued that evidence would ultimately show another defendant was responsible for William’s death, characterizing the case against his client as primarily involving a failure to act rather than direct causation of death. Similarly, Keaney’s attorney asserted that his client attempted to provide medical treatment after the child was injured by someone else in the home, arguing that Keaney was the least culpable defendant.
The boy’s father, whose name was not released, attended the court proceedings and addressed Kaitlin Evans, becoming emotional as he spoke. He alleged that the defendants had prevented him from seeing his son for nine months and stated that William was his life. The father has not been charged in connection with the case.
Court records indicate that William Evans was developmentally disabled. Police and prosecutors have not indicated that other children were involved in the case and have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat. Investigators continue to review evidence from the residence and interview witnesses as they work to establish the full circumstances leading to the child’s death. The findings from the ongoing investigation and autopsy results could impact the charges filed in this deeply disturbing case. All three defendants remain in custody.
