Florida Couple Charged With Manslaughter in Special Needs Child's Death

(CAUTION: This story contains disturbing descriptions of abuse.)

BARTOW -- Two adults who were supposed to be caregivers for a three year old boy with special needs, now face upgraded criminal charges.

The toddler had been on a ventilator since falling into a pool two years ago, and died after paramedics were called two weeks ago.

Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says it's the worst case of child abuse he's seen in his half a century in law enforcement.

"I have never seen the horror that we saw with this poor child, at the hands of these two folks," Judd told reporters. "They let this baby rot and die in its bed."

Judd says paramedics were called to the Bartow home back on May 12 to a report of an unresponsive child. They report finding the victim in a state of "decomposition" with open sores and a bloated stomach.

He says the couple was receiving home health care for the child, but there had been no visits by professionals since last fall.

24-year-old Takesha Williams and 25-year-old Efrem Allen Jr. are charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Photo: Polk Sheriff/Canva


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