Father Keith Horton Feels Sorry for Leaving Son Kevin with a Stepmother Who Burned a Cigarette in His Ear and Let Him Die Mercilessly in Memphis

Heartbroken father Keith Horton expresses remorse for leaving his son in the stepmother’s care.

November 20, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on November 19, 2026

Keith Horton, a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan, is grappling with unimaginable grief and guilt after his three-year-old son, Kevin Horton, suffered a horrific death while in the care of his father’s girlfriend, Dominica Mosby.

Horton now fears he made the wrong choice in leaving Kevin in her care.

The tragedy unfolded on the early morning of November 15, when Memphis police responded to a 911 call around 3 a.m. at a home on Beacon Hills Road in Frayser.

Kevin was found unresponsive on a bed and was pronounced dead at the scene. Horton recalled the moment with heartbreak:

According to authorities, 29-year-old Mosby initially told police that Kevin had been sick and vomiting before she put him to bed.

But the grim truth soon emerged: Mosby confessed to inflicting severe abuse on the toddler.

She admitted to burning Kevin’s ear with a lit cigarette, setting fire to his genitals with a lighter, and repeatedly striking him on the torso and chest.

Investigators say she also stomped on his stomach with the heel of her boot.

The medical examiner confirmed Kevin’s death was a homicide, noting he suffered a lacerated liver, internal bleeding, extensive bruising, and burns.

Kevin’s family described him as a happy, vibrant child, full of life.

Video obtained by FOX13 shows Kevin smiling and swinging with his cousin, a poignant reminder of the life that was stolen too soon.

His aunt, Jasmine Reece, had previously noticed suspicious injuries on Kevin, including bruises on his cheeks and a cut on his lip.

“He was never sick. That was just a story she told to cover what she did,” Reece said.

Horton expressed deep remorse over leaving Kevin in Mosby’s care.

“I feel bad because we loved him. I loved him like he was mine,” said Horton.

The family is now trying to cope with the loss and arrange a proper funeral, while also raising funds to cover the expenses.

Kevin’s biological mother, who is incarcerated, has been unable to attend the funeral or say goodbye to her son.

Mosby was arrested and booked on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and aggravated child neglect.

She remains in custody without bond and is scheduled for arraignment.

The community has been shaken by the shocking nature of the abuse, and Kevin’s family hopes his story will serve as a call to protect children from similar horrors.

A GoFundMe has been established to help cover funeral costs and give Kevin the dignified farewell he deserves. Horton and his family urge the community to honor the memory of the little boy whose life was cruelly cut short.

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