PEORIA, Ill. — Two women have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of a 13-month-old baby, whom prosecutors say was given adult sleep aid medicine.
Nausicca Thomas, 27, and Tasheaunna R. Williams, 26, were indicted on Tuesday for the murder of Hezekiah Williams, who died at a Peoria hospital on December 27. The child’s death was initially investigated as a homicide after Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood noted signs of “gross physical abuse and neglect.”
Thomas and Williams were arrested on January 10 but were initially charged with aggravated battery. The charges were upgraded after a toxicology report was completed.
At a hearing in January, both women were granted pre-trial release by Judge Stephen Kouri.
Police were called to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center on December 19, 2024, after a report that an unresponsive child had been given an over-the-counter sleep aid. The baby remained in critical condition at the hospital before passing away on December 27.
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