SAN ANTONIO – Two days after Christmas in 2012 the lifeless body of Josiah Williams, 5, was found by his family in the South Side home he shared with his father, stepmother, step-grandmother and two siblings.
According to the medical examiner, the child died from “prolonged dehydration and physical abuse.” He was underweight and his body showed signs of bruising.
The child’s stepmother, Crystal Williams, 31, plead guilty to charges of injury to a child, serious bodily injury last week.
On Monday during the punishment phase of her trial, San Antonio police Sgt. Jesse Salame testified that Williams told them she should have sought medical help for the child.
Salame said Williams insisted she was not the only one responsible for Josiah’s death.
“My recollection is that the defendant was upset and angry and was blaming Charleston,” he testified, referring to Charleston Williams, Crystal’s husband and the child’s father.
Williams, as well as the child’s step-grandmother Gloria Proo, have also been charged with injury to a child, serious bodily injury and are free on bond awaiting trial.
Williams is facing a punishment range of from five to 99 years to life in prison.