A Texas woman has admitted to her role in the death of her 8-year-old son, who was fatally beaten by her boyfriend. The mother, Gloria Yvette Williams, 38, pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily injury by omission, while her boyfriend, Brian Ward Coulter, 34, was convicted of first-degree murder in April and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
The case came to light in October 2021 when a 15-year-old boy dialed 911, revealing that he and his two younger siblings had been living with the decomposing body of their brother, Kendrick Lee, for a year in a west Houston home. The investigation that followed uncovered a horrifying tale of neglect and abuse.
According to the investigators, Kendrick’s death occurred sometime in late 2020. After the boy’s death, Coulter and Williams covered his body with a blue blanket and relocated to another apartment, leaving the children alone with their deceased brother. The couple was apprehended a few weeks after the 911 call made by the 15-year-old.
The surviving siblings testified in court, recounting the brutal beatings Kendrick endured while he was alive. The youngest sibling shared a chilling account of watching Kendrick’s eyes until he stopped blinking during one such beating.
Assistant District Attorney Celeste Byrom expressed her sentiments following Coulter’s conviction. She emphasized the importance of securing justice for Kendrick, whose tragic death had gone unreported for so long. Edward A. Appelbaum, co-counsel in the case, described the facts of the case as “horrific” and capable of shaking anyone to their core.
Williams was charged with failing to protect Kendrick and provide him with necessary medical care, food, and shelter. As part of her plea agreement, she could face up to 55 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for November 11.