Prosecutors: 6-year-old boy died after couple forced him to exercise in summer heat for wetting bed

Written by: A. Smith

Published December 22, 2025 @ 12:05 PM ET

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. – A Georgia man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and his girlfriend received decades behind bars after prosecutors said they punished a 6-year-old boy for wetting the bed by forcing him to exercise in extreme heat, leading to his death.

Less Thompson Jr., 33, was sentenced Monday after a Henry County jury convicted him in October of felony murder, aggravated assault and first-degree cruelty to children, the Henry County District Attorney’s Office said. Deshante LaShawn Beard, 37, the boy’s mother, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 25 years to serve, after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

The victim, Jacob Williams, died June 13, 2021, at the couple’s home in the 200 block of Belmont Farms Drive in Ellenwood, about 15 miles southeast of Atlanta. Prosecutors said Jacob had been repeatedly beaten with a belt in the days leading up to his death as punishment for wetting the bed.

On the morning of June 13, prosecutors said Jacob wet the bed again, triggering a violent response from Beard and Thompson. The pair forced the child to run laps and perform pushups and other strenuous exercises outside in the summer heat. When Jacob complained that he was exhausted, prosecutors said he was beaten again.

Jacob eventually collapsed, but Beard and Thompson waited about four hours before calling 911, authorities said.

Paramedics rushed the child to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save him. Prosecutors said Jacob’s body went into shock, leading to brain swelling and death. WXIA-TV reported that Jacob suffered bruises over roughly 80% of his body, a broken arm, and severe head trauma.

Henry County District Attorney Darius Pattillo called the killing a horrific betrayal of trust.

“A child’s life was taken by the very people who were responsible for caring for him and keeping him safe,” Pattillo said in a statement. “Now that the case is closed, we hope this resolution brings some measure of peace to those who loved him. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by this.”