DeKalb man indicted in alleged drowning murder of adopted son

Kentae Williams, shown in this undated photo, died after he was allegedly drowned by his adoptive father. Photo Courtesy WSB-TV

Kentae Williams, shown in this undated photo, died after he was allegedly drowned by his adoptive father. Photo Courtesy WSB-TV

A DeKalb County grand jury has indicted Leon Williams, a 43-year-old former state worker, formally accusing him of murder in the death of his adopted son.

Kentae Williams, 10, died April 28 after the father beat him with a belt and held him under hot water in a bathtub, the indictment alleges.

The child had reportedly been getting in trouble at school. Neighbors told police they saw the father threatening him and dragging him to their Glen Hollow Drive apartment that day.

“You’re going to die tonight,” the father said, according to one witness.

Williams, who worked as a Georgia Department of Administrative Services training coordinator before his arrest, had adopted Kentae only months earlier, after fostering him.

The death led to the firing of three Georgia child protection services employees. The state said the workers hadn't taken prior complaints about Williams' treatment of the child seriously enough.

Williams is accused in the seven-count indictment with charges including murder and child cruelty. He remains in the county jail without bond.

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