CHICAGO, IL – An Illinois father faces murder charges after authorities allege he killed his 2-month-old son, then attempted to disguise the death before returning the infant to his mother in a stroller covered from the rain.
Kayla Flowers, the boy’s mother, believed her son, Kayson Flowers, was simply resting as she hurried to bring him inside from the damp weather late last April, according to police. It wasn’t until she removed the stroller’s cover in her home that she realized her baby was unresponsive.
Police reports indicate that Kayson, who had been in the care of his father, Anthony Evans, 23, and a relative, had already been dead for several hours when Flowers found him on April 28. Authorities noted that Kayson’s body bore multiple bruises on his limbs, raising immediate concerns of abuse.
Investigators say Evans was not present when Flowers arrived to pick up her son. Instead, another family member passed the stroller to Flowers, assuring her that Kayson was just asleep despite having already died, according to officials.
Following the discovery, Kayson was rushed to a nearby hospital but could not be revived. Medical staff and investigators found signs of trauma and concluded the boy’s death resulted from homicide.
The tragic discovery sent shockwaves through Kayson’s family and the Roseland neighborhood, where the incident occurred. Flowers reached out to her pastor and local church, seeking support and calling for accountability.
Kayla Flowers and Roseland Christian Ministries released a statement remembering Kayson as a joyful baby who was deprived of key milestones and experiences due to his premature death. In response, the church offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.
After an extensive search, Evans was apprehended by authorities on June 10 in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. He has since been formally charged with first-degree murder.
Flowers expressed relief and gratitude on social media following the arrest, calling the development “justice” for Kayson. She acknowledged the pain of losing her child at the hands of someone meant to protect him, emphasizing the immeasurable value of holding those responsible accountable.
According to police, the investigation into the incident remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare their case against Evans. Kayson’s death has prompted renewed calls within the community for child welfare awareness and vigilance.