Naikishia Williams, 32, from Riviera Beach, Florida, has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge for the beating death of her 7-year-old daughter, Nia Williams, on April 28, 2024.
A grand jury handed down the indictment on Thursday, and Williams was arrested on Friday. She remains in Palm Beach County Jail without bond.
Nia’s cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma to the abdomen. Authorities have yet to release further details about the case but are expected to do so soon.
Family and Friends Speak Out
After Williams’ first court appearance, two women who helped care for Nia, Whytni Walker and Rebecca Finley, spoke to local NBC affiliate WPTV. They expressed their frustration, saying that Nia’s abuse had been well known and reported to authorities before her death.
Finley revealed that she had contacted Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) nearly two weeks before Nia’s death, as the young girl appeared severely malnourished. Finley and Walker both believe the abuse should have been stopped long before it led to Nia’s death.
Warnings That Went Unheard
Finley stated that the family had tried multiple times to raise concerns about Naikishia Williams’ dangerous behavior, saying, “There wasn’t one person who was not aware of this young lady being a dangerous mother.” Despite the reports, nothing was done by authorities to protect Nia, which has left family and friends devastated.
Walker added, “We can never get her smile back. We can never talk to her again,” emphasizing the deep sense of loss they feel. Finley also described Nia as a “fashionista” who loved putting on makeup, highlighting the joy the young girl brought to those around her.
Legal Proceedings and Future Steps
Williams is set to appear in court again on July 28, 2024, where she will be assigned a public defender. Details on the case are expected to be released by police on Monday.
Currently, Williams’ other children are being cared for by family members, according to Walker and Finley.
This tragic case underscores the failure of authorities to protect a child from known abuse. Despite multiple reports to DCF, young Nia Williams’ life was lost at the hands of her mother. Her family and friends are demanding justice and are committed to ensuring that Nia’s death is not forgotten.
