A Wisconsin father and mother are facing serious charges following the death of their 4-year-old son. The father, Ralph Michael Taylor Jr., allegedly put a gun to his son’s mouth and pulled the trigger, resulting in the child’s tragic death.
His mother, Casandra Taylor, is also facing charges related to the incident, including child neglect and straw purchasing a firearm.
Tragic Events Unfold in Milwaukee
On July 10, police were called to a home on N. 75th Street in Milwaukee after neighbors heard a gunshot and saw a child lying unconscious in a pool of blood.
Officers arrived to find Ralph Taylor in the room with the boy, who was later identified as having died from a gunshot wound. Despite the quick response from paramedics, the child was declared dead on the scene.
Ralph Taylor initially told police that his son had been playing on the bed while he was on the phone, and that a bullet had come through the window, striking the boy.
However, further investigation revealed that this story was false. Taylor’s explanation, which involved an alleged shot coming from outside, was found to be inconsistent with the evidence.
Lies, Concealment, and the Role of the Mother
As the investigation progressed, police learned that Ralph Taylor had a history of domestic violence and alcohol abuse. The boy’s 12-year-old stepson told police that Ralph Taylor had a violent history and that he kept a gun in the bedroom where his brother was killed.
The stepson also reported that the boy’s mother, Casandra Taylor, knew about the guns and that her husband had sent her photos of firearms he wanted her to purchase for him.
Casandra Taylor, who is accused of buying the gun used in the shooting because her husband is a convicted felon, allegedly lied about her involvement in the incident.
She initially told detectives she owned two guns, one of which was taken by her husband, but later admitted to purchasing them for him after he requested she do so. She also allegedly knew he had a gun in the bedroom with the child but failed to act responsibly.
The Gruesome Truth Behind the Shooting
An autopsy revealed that the boy’s injuries were consistent with being shot at close range, and it was determined that Ralph Taylor had placed the gun in his son’s mouth before pulling the trigger.
The boy, who had moderate to severe autism, was unable to communicate effectively and likely had no means of defending himself from his father’s violent actions.
Further investigation showed that Ralph Taylor had concealed the firearm used in the shooting in a plastic container, hidden in a closet. When confronted with the evidence, Taylor changed his story, claiming that the child had somehow shot himself.
However, this explanation was quickly disproven, and police confirmed he had lied about the events leading to his son’s death.
Arrests and Charges
Both Ralph and Casandra Taylor were arrested in connection with the boy’s death. Ralph Taylor is facing charges of first-degree intentional homicide, and possession of a firearm as a felon.
He is currently held on a $500,000 bond. Casandra Taylor is charged with child neglect and straw purchasing of a firearm and is being held on a $5,000 bond. Both parents are awaiting their respective court dates.
This heartbreaking case highlights the devastating consequences of negligence, domestic violence, and the failure to protect vulnerable children. The Taylor family’s actions have left a young life lost, and the community grapples with the tragedy of a child’s life cut short by his own father.
