A Detroit mother and her boyfriend have been sentenced to decades in prison for the horrific abuse and murder of her 7-year-old son, Deshawn Williams, in what prosecutors described as one of the most disturbing child cruelty cases in Michigan’s recent history.
On Thursday, Wayne County Third Circuit Court Judge Paul Cusick handed down sentences of 20 to 40 years for Alisha Hollamon, 25, and 28 to 60 years for Avion Traylor, 23. Both had entered guilty pleas to charges related to Deshawn’s death, including felony murder, first-degree child abuse, and torture.
According to investigators, Deshawn died in 2023 from blunt force trauma to his head and pelvis after enduring prolonged abuse inside his home. When the case reached court, Judge Cusick revealed that he had watched a disturbing video in which the child could be heard “crying for his life” while being beaten describing it as “probably the worst thing I’ve seen or heard” in nearly a decade on the bench.
“There are absolutely no words to describe how brutalized Deshawn was,” the prosecutor said. “Based on the facts and evidence we have, Deshawn lived a nightmare.”
During the sentencing hearing, Deshawn’s aunt, Krystal Hollamon, gave a heart-wrenching statement, calling Traylor a “sick, demonic” individual and condemning both adults for taking away a young life that “never stood a chance.” She described the abuse as “ritual-like” and said the family had noticed warning signs long before the tragedy but felt powerless to intervene.
“The system failed Deshawn,” she said tearfully. “We can never get him back, but we hope justice today sends a message that his life mattered.”
While neither defendant chose to speak in court, Hollamon’s lawyer argued that her client had also been abused and controlled by Traylor, claiming she was too fearful to protect her son or leave the relationship. However, Judge Cusick rejected any notion that Hollamon was simply a victim, saying she had actively participated in the abuse and later misled investigators with false statements to cover up the crime.
Traylor’s defense attorney also attempted to withdraw his client’s guilty plea, alleging that he was pressured by police, but the judge denied the motion, saying the evidence was overwhelming.
Prosecutors emphasized that Deshawn’s case highlights the urgent need for stronger child welfare oversight and earlier intervention in homes where abuse is suspected. Many community members have expressed outrage that warning signs went unaddressed.
Deshawn’s short life and the horrifying suffering he endured has sparked renewed discussion in Detroit about how to better identify and protect vulnerable children before it’s too late.
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