South Carolina Man Sentenced to Life for Beating Girlfriend’s 4-Year-Old Son to Death With Electrical Cord

WALTERBORO, South Carolina — A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to life without parole after a Colleton County jury found him guilty of brutally beating his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son to death with an electrical cord.

The defendant, Kasiem Rashawn Stephens, was convicted of homicide by child abuse and unlawful neglect of a child in the 2017 killing of Ki’Zadyn Shuler. Prosecutors said the boy’s older sister, who was 6 at the time, also suffered injuries during the attack.

The Fatal Day

On August 17, 2017, Ki’Zadyn was rushed to Colleton County Medical Center unresponsive and in cardiac arrest. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead.

A forensic pathologist from the Medical University of South Carolina testified that Ki’Zadyn died of blunt head and neck trauma, with acute injuries covering his body. Investigators later recovered a burnt electrical cord, a charred mattress, and a leather belt from a burn pile outside the family’s Walterboro home.

Prosecution’s Statement

“A little boy’s life was cut short at the hands of someone who was supposed to take care of him,” prosecutor Tameaka A. Legette said. “Instead, this child was met with a type of violence that none of us should ever have to experience.”

Judge Carmen T. Mullen sentenced Stephens to life without parole on the homicide charge and an additional 10 years for neglect.

Mother’s Role and Testimony

The children’s mother, Francesca Michelle Shuler, 34, was also charged in connection with her daughter’s injuries. She later pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful neglect of a child and testified against Stephens during his trial.

Stephens and Shuler were arrested within four hours of Ki’Zadyn’s death.

Remembering Ki’Zadyn

Family members described Ki’Zadyn as a joyful child who loved being outdoors. His aunt recalled how he would run up to greet relatives, shouting “Hey! Hey!” and asking about the puppies. His uncle added, “He was very much an outdoor boy. Very loving and playful. He was just innocent and happy.”

The sentencing closes a years-long case that exposed horrifying abuse but also gave Ki’Zadyn’s family some measure of justice. For more updates on community crime and trials, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.