Death of Warwick 3-year-old reveals deplorable conditions inside family home

Editor’s note: Discretion advised, as some may find details of the following story disturbing.

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Police documents obtained by ABC 6 News on Tuesday provided disturbing new details that surfaced in the investigation of the drowning death of a 3-year-old boy in Warwick this summer.

The boy’s parents, Kaitlyn Nolan and David Holloway II, were arrested on Friday and charged with multiple counts of cruelty to or neglect of a child. Holloway also faces animal cruelty charges.

Warwick police were called to Gorham Avenue for a reported drowning on the morning of Aug. 28.

Two of the family’s children, 3-year-old David Holloway III, called “D.J.”, and 13-year-old Ryan, wandered to a neighbor’s property to use their swimming pool.

Holloway II said he thought the boys were upstairs at the time. He noted Ryan is autistic and has limited speech.

According to the report, he knew to check the neighbor’s pool because Ryan often went there, even though the neighbors did not allow it.

When Holloway II approached, he heard Ryan say “time to get out of the pool.” He then discovered D.J. face down on the deck.

After first responders performed life-saving measures on D.J., he was rushed to Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where he died.

A search warrant later executed on the home of Nolan and Holloway revealed deplorable conditions inside the residence, the documents said.

Police said they discovered that the inside of the house was littered with trash, fecal matter, urine, and maggots on the ceiling.

Some windows were also nailed shut from one side as a preventative measure to keep 13-year-old Ryan from leaving the home, according to a documented police interview with both parents.

Two dogs were also removed from the home.

Police said both were suffering from fleas, abscesses, and infections. One of those dogs was later euthanized due to its condition.

Officers also found a marijuana grow operation with approximately 40 plants in different stages of growth along with large quantities of bagged marijuana, which officials say children could’ve accessed with ease.

Towards the end of the 45 page report, police explain that officers conducting the search warrant and removing evidence from the home needed to have their cruisers put out of commission for decontamination, as fleas had made their way into them through their uniforms.

The children were turned over to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.