The one-year-old boy, Mason Moulding, died after allegedly choking on a feces-filled diaper while living in a filthy, insect-infested walkout basement that reportedly had no running water. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Deavan Williams, charging him with murder, and arrested the child’s mother, Alexandrae Price, on child abuse charges. Investigators allege extreme neglect and hazardous living conditions, and animal control removed multiple severely neglected animals from the home. Both suspects are due in Allen County District Court on Aug. 12.
Kentucky Toddler Dies After Allegedly Choking On Feces-Filled Diaper; Mother's Boyfriend Charged With Murder
Deavan Williams and Alexandrae Price mugshotsCredit: Scottsville Police Department
A one-year-old boy identified as Mason Moulding has died after allegedly choking on a feces-contaminated diaper while living in a squalid, insect-infested walkout basement with no running water, authorities say. Police say the child's mother's boyfriend, 22-year-old Deavan Williams, has been charged with murder in connection with the death.
Arrests and Charges
Detectives with the Allen County–Scottsville Criminal Investigations Division obtained a warrant on Monday, Aug. 3, charging Williams with murder. He was initially arrested on July 27 on a charge of first-degree child abuse of a child under 12. The child’s mother, 22-year-old Alexandrae Price, was also arrested on July 27 and is charged with child abuse, according to court records.
What Investigators Say Happened
Police were called at about 10 p.m. on July 27 after Mason was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The arrest warrant cites "suspicious trauma," including bleeding from the mouth and bruising on the body.
According to the warrant, Williams was caring for the child while Price was at work when Mason became unresponsive after allegedly ingesting portions of a feces-filled diaper inside his playpen. Williams told investigators he fell asleep and later found the child choking.
Investigators reported that interviews and a physical inspection revealed ongoing neglect and hazardous living conditions.
Living Conditions and Neglect Allegations
Authorities describe the living space as an un-air-conditioned, garage-like area strewn with trash, beer cans, soiled diapers and heavy cat urine, with the infant’s playpen placed directly on a contaminated floor. Officers say the area had high moisture, poor ventilation, flies and spiders, and other conditions that posed significant health hazards.
Williams reportedly told investigators that he and Price used an outdoor garden hose to bathe the child because the house lacked running water, and that he was "surprised the baby did not have parasites given the filth." The warrant also states Williams admitted to other dangerous behaviors, including intentionally feeding the child extremely spicy food and acknowledging that the child routinely consumed unsafe objects such as diapers and couch cushions.
Animal Neglect at the Home
On July 31, Allen County Animal Control removed three dogs, 12 cats and one opossum from the Cottage Drive residence. Police said most animals displayed severe signs of neglect, and several were in such poor condition that euthanasia was deemed necessary.
Next Steps
Williams and Price are scheduled to appear in Allen County District Court on Wednesday, Aug. 12. It was not immediately clear whether either has retained legal counsel to speak on their behalf. The investigation remains ongoing and authorities have described the case in court documents as involving extreme endangerment and prolonged neglect.
Note: This report summarizes allegations described in a police arrest warrant and news reports. Charges are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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