Chicago, IL – A 23-year-old Illinois father has been arrested and charged with murder after allegedly killing his 2-month-old son, propping the baby’s body in a stroller, and handing him off to the mother while pretending he was asleep. Authorities say the infant, Kayson Flowers, had been dead for hours before his mother made the heartbreaking discovery.
The Incident: Infant Found Lifeless in Stroller
According to the Chicago Police Department, Anthony Evans, 23, is accused of killing his infant son and staging the scene to make it appear as if the baby was simply sleeping. On April 28, Kayson’s mother, Kayla Flowers, went to pick him up from a relative’s home in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, unaware that her son had already been dead for several hours.
“Me, not thinking anything of it, because it was raining, I just took my baby to the house because I didn’t want my child to get sick,” Kayla told in May. “When I went in the house, I uncovered the stroller. My baby was lifeless.”
Police say Evans enlisted a family member to hand Kayson off to his mother, covering the stroller to conceal the baby’s condition. When Kayla unwrapped the blanket inside her home, she found her son unresponsive.
“My baby’s dead, they killed my baby!” she cried in a call to her pastor, Joe Huizenga, of Roseland Christian Ministries, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Investigation and Evidence of Abuse
Responding paramedics rushed Kayson to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. According to investigators, the infant’s arms and legs were covered in bruises, and his body showed clear signs of abuse. Medical examiners determined he had been dead for six to eight hours before being handed back to his mother.
Authorities ruled the death a homicide, prompting a months-long investigation that culminated in Evans’ arrest. Police later confirmed he was taken into custody on Monday in the 4700 block of South Champlain Avenue.
“It’s just absolutely horrific,” Pastor Huizenga said. “He never got the chance to say his first words, take his first steps, or celebrate his first birthday.”
Court Proceedings and Arrest Details
The Chicago Police Department announced Evans’ arrest this week, confirming he faces first-degree murder charges. Prosecutors allege Evans killed the baby while caring for him at a relative’s home and then attempted to deceive the mother by propping Kayson upright in a stroller before leaving.
Police did not release the name of the family member involved but said Evans was not present when Kayla arrived to pick up her son. Authorities believe the relative may have been unaware that the baby was deceased when handing him over.
Evans remains in custody without bond as prosecutors prepare formal proceedings in Cook County Court.
“Me and my son finally got our justice,” Kayla Flowers wrote on Facebook after learning of Evans’ arrest. “No words can explain how grateful I am. My son didn’t get a chance to grow up with his family due to his father taking my son’s life.”
Community and Family Reactions
The tragedy has devastated the Roseland community. Roseland Christian Ministries, where Kayla and her family are members, helped raise awareness about the case and offered a reward earlier this year for information leading to Evans’ arrest.
In a joint statement with the church, Kayla expressed her grief and gratitude for the support she received:
“He never got the chance to say his first words, take his first steps, or celebrate his first birthday. He was a really, really beautiful baby,” the family wrote. “He had chubby little cheeks and a beautiful skin tone.”
Pastor Huizenga, who has stood by the family since the tragedy, described the moment Kayla called him in panic.
“She was screaming, crying, saying, ‘My baby’s dead!’” he recalled. “It’s something you can never forget.”
Background Context: Child Abuse and Infant Homicide Cases in Illinois
Authorities say the case highlights the ongoing crisis of child abuse and infant homicides in Chicago and across Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), dozens of infants die each year under suspicious or violent circumstances.
Advocates are now calling for increased resources for early intervention programs, parental support, and mental health services to prevent similar tragedies.
Child safety organizations are also urging caregivers to seek help if they feel overwhelmed, reminding the public that Illinois’ Safe Haven Law allows parents to safely surrender newborns at designated locations without facing prosecution.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Evans is expected to make his initial court appearance later this week. Prosecutors are seeking to ensure he remains behind bars until trial. Investigators continue to review evidence and interview witnesses to establish the full timeline leading up to Kayson’s death.
Meanwhile, Kayla Flowers continues to call for justice for her son, saying she hopes the case serves as a warning about the importance of child protection and the dangers of unchecked domestic abuse.
Conclusion
The death of 2-month-old Kayson Flowers has left a deep scar on his family and community. As court proceedings begin, the focus remains on seeking justice for a baby who never had the chance to grow up — and on ensuring that no other child suffers the same fate.
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