# Cincinnati child abuse and murder investigation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cincinnati-child-abuse-and-murder-investigation > Updated: 2026-08-13T05:01:28.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Authorities in Cincinnati, Ohio, have charged three individuals in the death of 7-year-old William Evans-Ellis, a child with developmental disabilities. The victim was discovered unresponsive and bound with duct tape in a closet on August 6. The suspects, identified as the boy’s biological mother, Kaitlin Elizabeth Evans, and her two partners, Kirby Rankin and Nessa Keaney, face murder and child endangerment charges. Investigators reported that the child suffered extensive injuries, including blunt-force trauma, burns, and suspected water torture. Hamilton County Coroner Lakshmi Samarko determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head. Court proceedings revealed the three adults were co-parenting in a polyamorous household. Rankin reportedly admitted to participating in the abuse and implicated the other two defendants. While all three have pleaded not guilty, bond has been set at $1 million for the murder charges. Additionally, the boy’s biological father testified that he had been kept away from his son for nine months through deception. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: Ohio mother and two partners accused of torturing 7-year-old to death A 7-year-old boy in Ohio died from blunt force trauma after allegedly being tortured and beaten by his mother and her two partners. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ohio-mother-and-two-partners-accused-of-torturing-7-year-old-to-death ### 2026-08-09: Cincinnati police charge three in death of 7-year-old boy Three people face murder charges in Cincinnati for the death of 7-year-old William Evans-Ellis, who investigators say was subjected to prolonged torture and physical abuse. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/three-charged-in-death-of-7-year-old-boy-in-cincinnati --- Cite as: Cincinnati child abuse and murder investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cincinnati-child-abuse-and-murder-investigation