Charges against dad dropped from attempted murder to willfull cruelty; 7-month-old daughter now off respirator (Victorville, California)

Dad DEVHON WILLIAMS was first charged with attempted murder of his 7-month-old daughter, but now the charges have been reduced to willful cruelty to a child. The paternal grandmother sounds like a classic enabler; these types are seen around abusive fathers all the time, unfortunately. It's good to see that the baby is doing better, and is now breathing on her own.

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/victorville-18507-abuse-case.html

Infant in Victorville abuse case improving

April 08, 2010 5:53 PM
BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA and TOMOYA SHIMURA Staff Writers

VICTORVILLE • After more than two weeks in the hospital, the 7-month-old who was allegedly attacked by her father is doing very well, according to family members.

“She is very strong and is off her breathing tube,” said the infant’s grandmother, Estrellita Powell. “She pulled the breathing tube right out of her nose and now she’s drinking from a bottle.”

Devhon Williams, 20, was first arrested for the attempted murder of his child on March 18, but he was recently charged with two counts of willful cruelty to a child instead. He can face up to 12 years in prison if convicted.

Deputy District Attorney Kathy DiDonato declined to comment on specifics of the case because it’s pending trial.

Williams’ family and the child’s mother are looking for answers as to what happened.

“I leave it in God’s hands,” said Powell, who is standing by her son. “The only one who really knows what happened that day is God, Devhon and (the baby.)”

While she doesn’t believe her son would harm his daughter, Powell quickly added that it would crush her to know that he did.