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CINCINNATI, Ohio (WLWT) — The three people indicted for their alleged roles in the death of a 7-year-old boy in Oakley all pled not guilty to new charges on Friday.
Kaitlin Evans, Nessa Keaney and Kirby Rankin all pleaded not guilty Friday to more than a dozen new charges, including conspiracy and aggravated murder. The new charges stem from a 13-count indictment that was handed down Thursday.
Detectives say William Evans-Ellis was found dead in a closet last week, bound with duct tape and showing signs of abuse.
One of the indicted, Kaitlin Evans, was William’s biological mother.
The Hamilton County Coroner says he died from blunt force trauma to the head.
In court Friday, a judge did not raise the bond of the three, saying the bonds issued last week were appropriate. Secured bonds of over $1 million were issued to each of Evans, Keaney and Rankin.
In addition to the not guilty plea, Keaney’s attorney asked for a competency hearing. This is the second request for a competency hearing filed in the case.
Last week, attorney’s for Kirby Rankin requested a competency hearing. A Sept. 4 hearing was set for those results to be announced in court.
Court documents say the three exchanged messages on the Signal app between July 1 and Aug. 6, allegedly planning or agreeing to commit the crime. The documents do not reveal what, specifically, was said.
“As for all of these monstrous crimes that were committed, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure these people never again see the ight of day and never again have the opportunity to harm another child,” Hamilton County prosecutor Connie Pillich said at a press conference Thursday.
Pillich says the investigation is still underway to determine whether the case could qualify for the death penalty.
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