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GREENSBORO — Four-year-old Kalli Martin’s two adult caretakers were charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in connection with her death on March 18.

Kalli’s cousin, Tonya Dobson Williams, 38, and Williams’ fiance, Anthony Ravon Duncan, 37, were each charged Wednesday in the girl’s death.

The couple was arrested Wednesday afternoon at a relative’s home in Winston-Salem, police said. They are being held without bond at the Guilford County jail in Greensboro.

On March 17, a woman at 1405 Caldwell St. called 911 about 11:15 p.m. seeking medical attention for a child who was not breathing. Kalli was taken to Moses Cone Hospital, where she died early the next morning.

Police ruled Kalli’s death a homicide later that day but have declined to specify a cause of death.

Williams’ mother, when reached by phone Wednesday night, said she was devastated by the murder charges.

“I didn’t think it would come to this,” said Williams’ mother, who asked not to be identified by name. “I’m so upset. We just came from (Kalli’s) funeral today, come home and here it is on the TV that they are arrested.”

She declined to discuss the circumstances of Kalli’s death, saying, “I believe what she (Tonya) and Anthony told me.”

Williams’ mother said her daughter does not have any children of her own but took custody of Kalli, her brother and sister when their mother went to prison.

Police said Kalli had been in Williams’ care since August. Police confirmed that six children — ages 2 to 13 — including Kalli, were in the home when the 911 call was made. Williams’ mother said three of the children are Duncan’s.

Williams’ mother said her daughter and Duncan had been dating for several years and that her daughter has a “good heart.”

“She has taken those kids and tried to look after them,” she said. “I haven’t heard anything about her but being a good mother.”

On a recording of the 911 call, a woman reported her 4-year-old daughter to be unconscious and not breathing. She then gave the phone to a man she referred to as her fiance.

The 911 operator on the recording gave the man specific instructions on how to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the child, which he relayed to the woman. The call ended when firefighters arrived at the house.

Kalli is the city’s fifth homicide victim this year.

Anyone with information about the crime can call Crimestoppers at 373-1000.

Contact Sonja Elmquist at 373-7090 or sonja.elmquist@news-record.com

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com