Raymond Childs III: The Tragic Case of Family Murders in Indiana

Raymond Ronald Lee Childs III, a young man from Indiana, was found guilty of murdering his entire family after his father banned him from sleeping at his girlfriend’s house.

At the time of the crime, he was just 17 and was tried as an adult. His initial trial ended without a verdict due to a witness questioning his motives. However, in a subsequent trial, he was convicted in Marion County on six counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of carrying a handgun without a license. His sentencing is set for January 7, 2025.

Prosecutors reported that Childs III forced his way into the home and unleashed gunfire on his family using a Draco 7.62 pistol and a 9MM handgun, tragically ending the lives of nearly everyone present, including Kiara’s unborn child, who was due to be born just two days later.

The attempted murder charge pertains to his younger brother, who survived despite being shot in the leg and arm, and later guided investigators to the crime scene on Adams Street. There, they discovered the bodies of six victims: Kezzie Childs (42), Raymond Childs (42), Elijah Childs (18), Rita Childs (13), Kiara Hawkins (19), and her unborn son, referred to as “Baby Boy Hawkins.”

After enduring emergency surgery, Xavier recounted to police officers that he overheard his father telling Childs III, “I’m sorry Raymond, I love you,” before Childs III fatally shot his parents in their bed.

Xavier also shared that his eldest brother, Elijah, pleaded with Childs III not to shoot him, offering, “I can give you 40 dollars. I won’t say anything. Please don’t kill me,” as revealed in court documents.

Hawkins, who was in bed with Elijah, was taken to a local hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, she and her unborn baby did not survive, according to police reports.

The killer’s then-girlfriend later informed police that Childs III left in an Uber and returned to her house before 3 am the next day, arriving in a white Chrysler she claimed she had never seen him drive before.

On the day of the incident, Childs III’s girlfriend mentioned that his father had summoned him home. He returned but left again with two bags of clothes, claiming his father had kicked him out. When his girlfriend received an alert about a shooting on Adams Street, Childs III feigned ignorance.

Later that morning, J.D. managed to convince Childs III to visit the crime scene, observing that he seemed ‘anxious.’ Once there, he began to cry and behaved erratically, she noted.

They then returned to her place, where Childs III collected some of his clothes and requested a ride to another location. After she dropped him off, J.D. discovered a gun had fallen out of the clothes he left on the floor.

Childs III was captured at a relative’s house the day after the killings, following his brother’s identification of him as the shooter.

Authorities recovered the handgun from the family residence, while the Draco firearm was located after Childs III’s arrest, stated Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

Subsequently, videos surfaced showing Childs III, known as ‘Lil Raymond,’ rapping about firearms and violence.

“It’s truly heart-wrenching, it deeply hurts,” expressed Sullivan, whose relationship to the Childs family is not specified.

Childs III is scheduled to appear in court for his sentencing on January 7, 2025.

He faces potential sentences ranging from 40 to 65 years for each murder conviction, 20 to 40 years for the attempted murder charge, and one to six years for the handgun offense.

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