A defendant charged with her son’s death requested release before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 20.
Christen Borden, 37, is charged with first-degree felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children for her alleged involvement in the death of her son, five-month-old Kenneth Walton, on Feb. 11, 2023 at the 4000 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Walton died from multiple blunt force injuries to the head.
According to court records, Borden was previously on release in this case, but her release was revoked on Dec. 8, 2025 after failing to complete multiple drug treatments and not reporting to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA). Borden is charged in a separate case for failing to appear in court on Nov. 21, 2025.
At the hearing, Megan Allburn and Steven Kiersh, Borden’s attorneys, asked for her release in this case. They argued that Borden would comply with release conditions this time, including inpatient drug treatment.
The prosecution objected to Borden’s release due to her history of non-compliance and multiple failures to appear before the court, resulting in bench warrants. According to court records, the court ordered a bench warrant after Borden failed to appear three separate times since March 7, 2025.
Borden had “Multiple, multiple opportunities” to comply on release Judge Edelman stated when contemplating releasing her.
Judge Edelman considered releasing Borden, but hesitated due to her history of non-compliance, including failure to successfully complete any drug treatment the judge previously ordered.
The judge told prosecutors to file a motion in the next three weeks responding to the defense request for release.
Parties are set to reconvene on April 24.
