Mother accused of abandoning three children in an apartment with her brother’s rotting remains

HOUSTON, Texas – The woman accused of failing to provide assistance to her 8-year-old son, who was abused and murdered by her partner, was sentenced Tuesday to 50 years in prison.

In October, Gloria Williams pleaded guilty to two counts of injury to a child in connection with the death of her son, Kendrick Lee.

The case dates back to October 24, 2021, when Lee’s eldest brother, who was 15 at the time, called 911 and told dispatchers that his brother had been dead in their apartment for more than a year. When Harris County deputies arrived at the home at 3535 Green Crest, they found Kendrick’s three brothers – ages 15, 10 and 7 – in horrific conditions and discovered Kendrick’s decomposing body.

The boys told investigators and testified again in court that Williams’ partner, Brian Coulter, beat Kendrick to death and continued to punch and kick him even when he stopped moving.

The seven-year-old said he stared at his older brother’s face as Coulter kicked and punched him, and at one point during the punching, Kendrick stopped blinking.

Kendrick’s cause of death was homicidal violence. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences said he suffered multiple blunt force injuries.

After that assault, the brothers remained alone in the apartment for months while Kendrick’s body decayed in another room.

Coulter was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder. The judge mentioned the case one of the most gruesome cases she has ever heard of.

Williams was accused of knowing about Coulter’s abuse of her children and failing to intervene. She is also accused of failing to provide Kendrick with food and medical care before he was beaten to death.