California woman charged in death of 7-year-old stepdaughter weeks after dad charged
06/17/2020 10:59 am PDT
via KTXL:
STOCKTON, Calif. (KTXL) -- Stockton police have arrested the stepmother of a 7-year-old on felony child abuse charges after the girl died at their home.
The Stockton Police Department reports 38-year-old Takiesha Williams was arrested Tuesday in connection to the death of her stepdaughter Billie Williams. She faces six counts of felony child abuse and failure to protect, as well as one count of torture.
The girl's father, Billy Dee Williams, was arrested on suspicion of child abuse and assault three weeks earlier.
Officers conducted a welfare check at the family's home on Candlewood Way near Ravenwood Drive around 4:44 a.m. May 23. The 7-year-old was found unresponsive in the garage and later pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials have not given the exact cause of the girl's death but police say investigators believe she was severely abused, the Associated Press reports.
Five other children who were in the home have been placed into protective custody.
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