On October 22, 2023, shortly after midnight, police responded to a home in the 3700 block of Hurlbut Street on Detroit's east side after receiving reports of child abuse. Officers found 7-year-old Deshawn Williams with scars and abrasions on his face, back, and chest. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma causing internal bleeding, with specific injuries including blunt force trauma to the head, a pelvis separated in two, and marks in the shape of something semi-circular. While the fatal injuries were sustained within a day, his body showed signs of prolonged abuse. Evidence of post-mortem abuse was also found, including burn marks and an anal tear. His mother, Alisha Renee Hollamon (23), and her boyfriend, Avion Traylor (21), were charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse, and torture, and were denied bond.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The medical examiner report (MI_23_693.pdf) lists the description of injury as "Found beaten" and cause of death as "Multiple blunt force injuries." The clickondetroit article states police "found the 7-year-old boy with scars and abrasions on his face, back and chest" and notes "He has bruises and marks in the shape of something semi-circular." The fox2detroit article states "Deshawn's pelvis had been separated in two. His body had scratches, scrapes, and bruises all over."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
The clickondetroit article quotes the assistant prosecutor stating: "He has an anal tear and burn marks that were made post-mortem, meaning after he died." An anal tear is a well-recognized indicator of sexual abuse. While the context describes it as part of post-mortem brutalization rather than explicitly labeling it as sexual abuse, the nature of the injury strongly implies it.
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Multiple sources describe prolonged, deliberately cruel treatment. Both defendants were charged with torture. The clickondetroit article quotes the prosecutor: "The injuries that caused his death were within a day, but his body shows marks and scars from prolonged abuse." Additionally, the prosecutor described post-mortem abuse: "He has bruises and marks in the shape of something semi-circular. He has an anal tear and burn marks that were made post-mortem." The fox2detroit article adds that "Deshawn's pelvis had been separated in two. His body had scratches, scrapes, and bruises all over. There's also evidence that Deshawn was abused after his death." The prosecutor described the case as the child being "absolutely brutalized."
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The clickondetroit article identifies "23-year-old Alisha Renee Hollamon" as the boy's mother, charged with "felony murder, first-degree child abuse and torture." The fox2detroit article confirms "Alisha Hollamon, 23 and Deshawn's mom" was charged. The cbsnews article states the charges are "in connection to the death of Hollamon's son." Authorities believe she physically abused the boy, causing fatal injuries.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The clickondetroit article identifies "21-year-old Avion Traylor" as the mother's boyfriend, charged alongside her with "felony murder, first-degree child abuse and torture." The fox2detroit article confirms "her boyfriend Avionics Traylor, 21" was also charged. The clickondetroit article states: "Authorities believe Hollamon and Traylor physically abused the boy, causing fatal injuries."
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Multiple news articles confirm that both Alisha Renee Hollamon and Avion Traylor were charged with felony murder, first-degree child abuse, and torture. The clickondetroit article states they "were charged Wednesday, Oct. 25, with felony murder, first-degree child abuse and torture." The cbsnews article confirms they "were arraigned on Wednesday in 36th District Court and remanded to jail."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the sources. The clickondetroit article quotes the assistant prosecutor stating that abuse continued after the child's death: "He has an anal tear and burn marks that were made post-mortem, meaning after he died." The fox2detroit article adds that "Deshawn's pelvis had been separated in two" and "There's also evidence that Deshawn was abused after his death." The extent of post-mortem abuse is particularly notable. Additionally, the grandmother, Rosalind Johnson-Bolton, stated that "Deshawn was a happy kid and never showed any signs of being abused," suggesting the prolonged abuse may have been concealed from extended family. The prosecutor also noted "bruises and marks in the shape of something semi-circular," suggesting the use of an implement.
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