Drug-addicted dad charged with neglect in death of 2-month-old son (Sioux City, Iowa)

Dad is identified as MICHAEL D. WILLIAMS.

http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/dad-charged-with-neglect-in-infant-s-death/article_82573dea-bc43-53b6-8b9b-940c988ceeb4.html

Dad charged with neglect in Sioux City infant's death

May 08, 2014 8:30 pm • NICK HYTREK

Michael D. Williams, 26, of Sioux City, was charged with felony neglect of a dependent person on April 30. He’s accused of neglecting his infant son, Leonard. The 2-month-old boy was declared dead at UnityPoint-Health – St. Luke’s.

SIOUX CITY | The mother of a dead 2-month-old baby who was taken to the hospital by his father said a felony neglect charge against him is justified.

"If they charge him with anything else so be it," said Rebekah Williams-McCarthy, 23. "But that's what really seems to fit."

Michael Williams, 26, was charged with neglect of a dependent person, a class C felony, in court papers filed late Wednesday. The investigation continues.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Woodbury County District Court.

Williams was arrested April 29 after he brought his dead son, Leonard, into the UnityPoint Health-St. Luke's emergency department.

According to court documents filed at the time of the arrest, Williams told police he left the baby unsupervised for long periods of time in his apartment in the 2800 block of West Fourth Street. Investigators wrote that the apartment was in "poor condition" and littered with feces-filled diapers.

Williams also told police he was addicted to the prescription stimulant Adderall, marijuana and methamphetamine.

Sioux City police Lt. Mark Kirkpatrick said Thursday the investigation into the death is ongoing, but could not comment further on it. He said authorities await results of an autopsy, which could reveal when and how the boy died.

The charging document, known as a trial information, filed by First Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Mark Campbell gave no new details of the circumstances of Leonard's death. The trial information said that from Feb. 16 through April 29, Williams "knowingly or recklessly exposed a child to a hazard or danger against which the child could not reasonably be expected to protect himself ..."

If convicted as charged, Williams would face a 10-year prison sentence.

Campbell said Thursday he could not comment on the case. Williams and his girlfriend also had children ages 1 and 2 in the apartment. The other children have been taken into protective custody.

Williams-McCarthy said she is awaiting a hearing to determine whether they will be placed in foster care or with family members.

Williams-McCarthy has not been charged in connection with Leonard's death.