Florida mother charged with murder after seven-year-old daughter dies from stomach injuries
WARNING: Disturbing content
A Florida mother has been accused of murdering her seven-year-old daughter by hitting her in the stomach after other caregivers reportedly raised safety concerns with child protection authorities.
Thirty-two-year-old Naikishia L. Williams was charged with first-degree murder after allegedly hitting her daughter, Nia, two months ago.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The seven-year-old’s cause of death was “blunt force trauma” to her abdomen, according to the indictment issued by a grand jury last Thursday, 12 News reported.
The autopsy found the girl’s injuries included a lacerated liver and internal bleeding.
On April 28, Riviera Beach police responded to a report of an unresponsive child at 8.01pm on 1501 West 15th Street, West Palm Beach.
Nia was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Centre and later pronounced dead.
Last Friday morning, Williams was arrested following a two-month investigation. She was taken to Palm Beach County Jail.
At Williams’ first hearing that same morning, the judge decided she would be held without bail. Williams was also charged with aggravated child abuse.
Nia’s previous caretaker, Rebecca Finley, described her memories of Nia as “golden” and described her as a “fashionista”.
Whytni Walker was Nia’s godmother and spoke to WPTV alongside Ms Finley.
“We can never get her smile back. We can never talk to her again.”
Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman said the entire community felt the loss.
“The death of an innocent child is never normal. It’s hard for us to even fathom. The community has been traumatised. My department has been traumatised,” Det. Coleman said.
Both Ms Finley and Ms Walker are named as witnesses in the Riviera Beach Police Department’s case summary.
First-degree murder in Florida requires the prosecution to prove the offence was carried out with “premeditated intent”.
If Williams is convicted, she will face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Williams’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 28.
Ms Walker and Ms Finley said William’s three other children were now in the care of other family members.
