Gloria Williams, a 35-year-old mother of four boys, is facing serious charges after the skeletal remains of her 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, were found inside a Houston-area apartment with three surviving but apparently abandoned siblings. According to CBS News, Williams and her boyfriend, Brian Coulter, 32, were arrested on October 26, 2021, in connection with the boy’s death and the apparent neglect of his brothers, ages 15, 10 and 7.
The Horrific Discovery
The shocking case came to light on October 24, 2021, when the oldest sibling called the Harris County Sheriff’s Department and told authorities that his brother had been dead for a year and the body was inside the apartment. Deputies found the teen and two other siblings living alone in the apartment, which was in a state of disarray and filth. The 15-year-old told authorities that his parents hadn’t lived in the apartment for several months and that he had been caring for his younger brothers, who appeared to be malnourished and had physical injuries. The deputies also found the decomposed body of Kendrick Lee in a bedroom closet, wrapped in a blanket.
The Alleged Murder and Abuse
According to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the primary cause of death for Kendrick Lee was “homicidal violence with multiple blunt force injuries”. The boy had suffered from multiple fractures, internal bleeding and organ damage, indicating a severe and prolonged beating. The suspect in the murder is Brian Coulter, the boyfriend of Gloria Williams, who allegedly abused and killed the boy sometime in 2020. Coulter is charged with capital murder and faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole if convicted.
According to Oxygen, Coulter also abused the surviving siblings, who told investigators that he would hit them with his hands, feet, belts and cords. The children also said that Coulter would lock them in a room and not feed them for days. They said that they were afraid of him and that he had threatened to kill them if they told anyone about what he had done to Kendrick. The children also said that Williams knew about the abuse and the death of her son, but did nothing to stop it or report it. Williams is charged with injury to a child, serious bodily injury and tampering with a corpse. She faces up to life in prison if convicted.
The Motive and the Aftermath
The motive for the alleged murder and abuse is unclear, but according to CBS News, Williams and Coulter had a history of domestic violence and drug use. The couple had been arrested several times for assault, theft and possession of controlled substances. They also had multiple eviction notices and unpaid bills. The children told investigators that Williams and Coulter would leave them alone for weeks or months at a time, and that they would sometimes come back to get money or food. The children said that they had no contact with their biological father or any other relatives.
The surviving siblings are now in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, which is trying to find a suitable placement for them. The agency said that the children are receiving medical and psychological care, and that they are showing signs of resilience and hope. The agency also said that it had no prior involvement with the family, and that it was unaware of any reports of abuse or neglect. The case has sparked outrage and sadness among the public, who have expressed their support and sympathy for the children. A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the children’s needs and future.
