Mother’s boyfriend charged with murder after Gwinnett toddler’s death
The man accused of killing his girlfriend’s 16-month-old son was denied bond at his first court appearance late Tuesday, hours after his charges were upgraded to include murder. Cody Lorenzo Williams’ next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1.
In the hours before a the boy died, his mother’s boyfriend struck him twice and shook him, likely causing his death, Gwinnett County police said.
“Accused struck child with great force in the face two times with the heel of his hand and shook the child roughly,” an arrest warrant obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution states.
After Noah Nolan died late Monday, Williams, 23, was arrested and charged with first degree cruelty to children, Cpl. Jake Smith with Gwinnett police said. Felony murder and aggravated battery charges were added Tuesday afternoon after an autopsy was completed on the boy.
“Detectives believe that Williams struck Nolan with his hands, causing the fatal injuries,” Smith said by email Tuesday night.
Around 10 p.m. Monday, police were called to the Sienna Heights apartments on Graves Road, near Norcross, on a report of a deceased child, according to Smith. Noah was transported to the hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival, Smith said.
“There were signs of physical injury,” Smith said before the autopsy was completed.
Williams, the boyfriend of Noah’s mother, was caring for him at the time the child’s death was reported. Address records show Williams lived at the complex. He was arrested during the investigation, Smith said.
A resident of the complex said she watched as the toddler’s mother, whose name was not released, sat on the pavement crying with her hands over her face after learning of the boy’s death.
“I guess he didn’t want to tell, but he kept saying he didn’t know what happened,” Jasmine Lloyd told Channel 2 Action News.
One of Noah’s siblings was also in Williams’ care, but was not injured, Smith said.
