A Lake County mother will spend the rest of her life in prison for the abuse and death of her 10-year-old son, prosecutors announced.
Kimberley Leonie Mills, 38, appeared before Judge Rada, where she was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to life for the murder of Xavier Williams. As part of a plea agreement, Mills is expected to return to court later this year to testify against her co-defendant, 37-year-old Andre Dwayne Walker.
The case began with a tragic discovery on February 22, 2025, when Xavier was rushed to AdventHealth Waterman in cardiac arrest, his body showing extensive bruising and burn marks. He was airlifted to an Orlando children’s hospital, where he remained on life support for nearly a month before dying on March 21, 2025.
Investigators determined the boy’s death resulted from “systematic abuse” by Mills and Walker inside Mills’ Tavares home. Both were indicted in April 2025 on First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse charges and have been held without bond since their arrests.
State Attorney Bill Gladson said the plea deal, supported by the victim’s father and extended family, guarantees Mills’ incarceration while strengthening the case against Walker. “Our focus has always been justice for this child and accountability for those responsible,” Gladson said. He added, “Mills’ plea, which includes truthful testimony against her co-defendant, ensures the full story is brought before the court.”
Tavares Police Chief Sarah Coursey described Xavier’s death as one of the most heartbreaking crimes the community has witnessed. “While no outcome can truly bring justice for such a loss, the plea agreement ensures Mills will spend her life in prison and that her cooperation will help hold Andre Walker fully accountable for his heinous acts,” she said.