Parents charged with drowning death of 3-year-old in 2023 to appear in court

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

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE) — Two parents, who were charged with the drowning death of their 3-year-old son in the summer of 2023 in Warwick, will face a judge this morning.

Kaitlyn Nolan and David Holloway II were arrested back in 2023 and charged with multiple counts of cruelty to or neglect of a child. Holloway also faces animal cruelty charges.

Kaitlyn Nolan, 31, and David Holloway, 32, were both arrested and charged in connection with the drowning death of their 3-year-old son. (Warwick Police Department)

According to police documents, 3-year-old David Holloway III, called “D.J.”, and 13-year-old brother Ryan, had 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.

D.J. 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 as they 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.

Officials said the children could’ve accessed it with ease.

The report also stated 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.