Crime

HOUSTON - Gloria Williams was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Tuesday as part of a plea deal for her role in the tragic death of her son, bringing an end to a case that has haunted the Houston community and left a deep impact on her surviving children.

The sentencing concluded a lengthy legal battle and spared the three young children from testifying in court about their traumatic experiences.

Assistant District Attorney Edward Appelbaum expressed how he felt about the sentencing, stating, "Justice was served, 50 years is appropriate. The judge listened and considered all the evidence. We’re thankful that the kids did not have to go through another horrific deal."

Williams boyfriend, Brian Coulter, was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for killing Williams' 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee.

According to court records, Coulter assaulted Lee in their apartment on the 3500 block of Green Crest Drive, near the Westpark Tollway. Prosecutors claims Coulter continued to live in the apartment with the boy’s decomposing body while Kendrick's siblings stayed in the room with him as well.

The brothers testified witnessing the assault and being in the room when the 8-year-old died. His body was left in the room with his siblings for an extended period of time. One sibling explained that Coulter had beaten Kendrick over an incident involving water. Coulter allegedly became angry when Kendrick drank what Coulter saw as more than his share of water.

Only skeletal remains were found in the apartment when police arrived in October 2021, according to court documents.

Williams lived in the apartment with her son's decomposing body for months from November 2020 to March 2021, before she left her other children to live with the body alone, court reports revealed.

Williams was receiving $2,000 a month for three of her kids who are disabled, including Lee, but according to the prosecutor, Williams continued receiving money for the 8-year-old even after he was dead.