MILWAUKEE, WI – Authorities in Milwaukee have charged two parents in connection with the death of their 4-year-old son after investigators determined the child was fatally shot inside the family’s apartment earlier this month. The boy’s father, Ralph Michael Taylor Jr., 35, faces counts of first-degree intentional homicide and illegal firearm possession, while his wife, Casandra Taylor, is accused of child neglect and unlawfully purchasing a firearm on his behalf.
Police responded to a call for help on July 10 at a residence along the 9100 block of N. 75th Street, where they found the young boy unresponsive and severely injured in an upstairs bedroom. Attempts to save the child’s life were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to a criminal complaint, Ralph Taylor initially claimed that an unknown shooter fired into their apartment from outside, killing his son, whose initials were given as “RT.” Taylor told officers that neither he nor anyone else in the home possessed a gun. However, investigators quickly grew skeptical as evidence began to contradict his statements.
A neighbor reported that her children heard a single gunshot and, after checking outside, she witnessed Casandra Taylor frantically yelling that her son had been shot through a window. The neighbor told police Casandra attempted to hand her a purse, leading the neighbor to suspect that it contained a firearm. After declining to accept it, she saw Casandra reportedly give the purse to another neighbor; a gun was later recovered from it, although not the weapon used in the shooting.
Another resident at the property told officers of overhearing Ralph Taylor declare he needed to hide his guns moments after the shooting. Police later discovered the alleged murder weapon concealed in a closet wrapped in plastic bags. Authorities say Taylor ultimately admitted the gun belonged to him.
The investigation gained crucial insight thanks to Casandra Taylor’s 12-year-old son. The child told officers that his mother owned two guns and that his stepfather was in the habit of keeping one in the bedroom where his brother died. He also alleged a pattern of domestic violence and described his stepfather becoming abusive after consuming alcohol.
Court documents reveal that tensions rose in the family earlier that day, stemming from accusations over a missing video game system. Ralph Taylor reportedly threatened his wife and damaged her personal property, then took the 4-year-old by the arm and led him to the bedroom. A man staying in the home said Taylor insisted the child was “with me. I am not letting him go.”
The 12-year-old stepson heard a single gunshot within minutes of Taylor entering the room with the younger boy. An autopsy later determined the fatal wound resulted from a gun being placed inside the child’s mouth.
Family members said Casandra Taylor knocked on the bedroom door repeatedly but was not allowed inside until after the shooting occurred. When she finally entered the room, she and relatives found the boy in a pool of blood.
Investigators uncovered messages indicating that Casandra Taylor made firearm purchases at her husband’s direction, knowing he could not legally own guns due to his criminal record. She reportedly acknowledged to detectives that she supplied the weapons and was aware of the legal risk, at one point stating, “I know I am going to get into trouble for that.”
Records also indicated the couple’s son, who was killed, was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism and often communicated through song.
Casandra Taylor is being held at the Milwaukee County Jail on a $5,000 bond, with a court appearance scheduled for July 24. Ralph Taylor remains in custody on a $500,000 bond as both await further legal proceedings.