Mother, boyfriend charged in death of her 1-year-old child

SIKESTON, Mo. — A mother and her boyfriend face charges in the death of the woman’s 1-year-old son.

Kayla M. Williamson, 23, and Louis A. Hollis, 31, both of Sikeston, were charged in Scott County Circuit Court with felony child abuse, endangering the welfare of a child and murder, said Sgt. Jon Broom, Sikeston Department of Public Safety public-information officer.

At 1:53 p.m. Sunday, Sikeston officers received a call about a 1-year-old child who was not breathing, Broom said.

Officers and South Scott County EMS went to the residence in the 600 block of South New Madrid Street in Sikeston to give aid to the toddler.

Upon their arrival, they found the boy unresponsive and not breathing, Broom said.

Louis Hollis

The first responders began CPR and took him to the emergency room.

Soon after, the boy was pronounced dead.

“Upon closer inspection of the boy’s body, medical staff located injuries and bruising consistent with child abuse,” Broom said. “Medical staff discovered some type of foreign substance inside the child’s mouth.”

These facts led to the Sikeston Criminal Investigative Unit to interview the mother and her boyfriend.

Williamson and Hollis subsequently were arrested and charged.

Williamson’s bond is set at $50,000 cash or surety.

Hollis’ bond is set at $100,000 cash or surety.

“An autopsy is scheduled today in Farmington, and detectives will continue to investigate this case,” Broom said Monday.