TRUE CRIME Locked in a Crate: The Horrifying Death of Caden McWilliams

Caden McWilliams was born on December 20, 2010, in Colorado to parents Elisha McWilliams Pankey and Leland Pankey. Initially, some reports suggested that Leland was Caden's stepfather, but later revelations confirmed that he was indeed Caden's biological father. Elisha and Leland married in 2014, and shortly after, Caden's sister was born. However, life in the Pankey household was far from happy.

By November 2017, the situation at home had deteriorated drastically. Leland began abusing Elisha, leading to significant changes in her behavior. Their landlord noted a stark transformation in Elisha, who had shifted from being an outgoing person to a reclusive hermit, staying home almost all the time. This change in demeanor was a sign of the turmoil within the household. By early 2018, the family faced eviction and began living in various hotels, further destabilizing their lives.

During the 2017-2018 school year, Caden attended Ellis Elementary School. He was a beacon of positivity and integrity, well-liked by his peers and teachers. His principal, Nicole Whiteman, described him as a hardworking, kind, and popular student who brought joy to everyone around him. Caden's teacher, Christina Hafler, echoed these sentiments, noting how he was always smiling and a pleasure to have in class. Yet, Caden's last day at school was on May 24, 2018, and in August, Elisha notified the school that Caden would be homeschooled. This decision would become significant later in the investigation.

Elisha worked for IHS Markit, which later merged with S&P Global. Despite the company's policy allowing employees to work from home, Elisha preferred to work from the office. This preference raised questions among her coworkers, as Elisha rarely left the office, even eating lunch there and often staying late into the evening.

On December 21, 2018, the Aurora Police Department responded to a domestic violence call at an extended stay hotel. Elisha claimed her husband, Leland, was at a different hotel. During the investigation, authorities discovered heroin in Elisha's room and a business card for a storage facility. Elisha had been renting a unit there since May 2018, raising further suspicions.

Authorities interviewed Leland, who evaded questions about Caden's whereabouts. A witness later revealed that Leland had told her he lost his son three weeks prior. Additionally, a daycare center employee mentioned that Leland had spoken about his daughter losing her brother. These statements painted a troubling picture of the family's situation.

On December 23, investigators executed a search warrant for the storage unit rented by Elisha. Inside, they found a dog crate filled with concrete. The decomposed remains of Caden were discovered encased within. Both Elisha and Leland were arrested and interrogated about their son's death.

During the interrogation, Elisha confessed to being aware of Leland's abuse and neglect of Caden. She described how Leland would force Caden into the dog crate, leaving him to suffocate in July 2018. Despite Elisha's claims, authorities believed Caden was killed around May, coinciding with the time Elisha pulled him from school.

The Pankeys faced serious charges related to Caden's death. In January 2020, Leland received a 72-year sentence following a plea deal, while Elisha was sentenced to 32 years. The case's horrific details left an indelible impact on the community, highlighting the severe consequences of unchecked domestic violence and child abuse.

In memory of Caden, his former teacher, Christina Hafler, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to create a public art memorial at Ellis Elementary. The mural, bench, and tree dedicated to Caden now honor his love for nature and his joyful spirit, providing a place for the community to remember him and reflect on the importance of protecting vulnerable children.

The tragic death of Caden McWilliams serves as a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance and intervention in cases of child abuse. His story continues to resonate, prompting efforts to change Safe Haven laws and enhance protections for children. If you suspect a child is being mistreated, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline. Your call could save a life and prevent another tragedy like Caden's.