Trigger Warning: The article contains mention of child abuse and death. Reader discretion is advised.
A 32-year-old Florida woman has been arrested following the death of her 7-year-old daughter. Naikishia Williams, who turned 32 on Sunday, is facing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.
On April 28, the officers responded to a report of an unresponsive child at a home in the 1500 block of West 15th Street in Riviera Street. The girl was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. An investigation was launched to determine the reason for her death. The cops concluded that Nia’s demise wasn’t accidental and it was a case of homicide instead.
Nearly two months after the incident, the victim’s mother was arrested on Friday morning. She has been placed in Palm Beach County Jail. When she appeared in Palm Beach County courtroom, the judge granted state prosecutors’ request to hold her in jail without bond.
Riviera Beach mother faces 1st degree murder charge in death of 7-year-old daughter https://t.co/HtVfgyhGtw
— WPTV (@WPTV) June 27, 2025
Nia reportedly died due blunt force trauma to the abdomen. The incident has sent shockwaves in the neighborhood and among the ones close to the family. Nia’s godmother Whytni Walker said, “We can never get her smile back. We can never talk to her again.”
Walker had raised concern about the well-being of Williams’ children before the tragic incident even happened. She told WPTV that she contacted the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and described Williams’ children as “very malnourished.” As per the portal, Walker made this call just 12 days before Nia’s death.
In a chat with WPTV reporter Kayla McDermott, Rebecca Finley, caretaker of the victim, described her as “brilliant” and a “fashionista” as she loved makeup. She further lashed out at Nia’s mother by saying, “She caused the death. That’s why she’s arrested, and it was definitely abuse.”
“She should have been in jail a long time ago. There wasn’t one person who was not aware of this young lady being a dangerous mother,” she further added.
Both Finley and Walker were present when Williams was presented before a judge on Friday. They are now demanding justice for Nia. Finley expressed that Nia would want them to become her voice on the path to justice. She said, “I’m guaranteeing she’s (Nia) saying, ‘Auntie, tell them everything. Don’t forget anything.”
Finley also told that other children of the accused woman are currently safe and taken care of!
It is a developing story and more details of the case are yet to be revealed. As per Law & Crime, Williams has been assigned a public defender and she will next appear in court on July 28.
Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is in danger, help is available. Contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) — available 24/7 with confidential support from professional crisis counselors.
