In November of 2021, a 13-year-old child reported to his school he was beaten the previous night by his cousin Austin, and his Aunt, 48-year-old Laranda Williams. Deputies responded and the boy disclosed he was punched with a closed fist, scratched, hit with books, and thrown into walls. Severe injures were documented and included a golf-ball-size knot on his head, and bruises on his arms and neck. The child was in the custody and control of Laranda Willaims at the time of the abuse, which she reportedly directed.
Investigators spoke with Laranda Williams on December 16th, at which time she stated the child had a phone he was not allowed to use, and she had called her son, Austin Williams, to come and spank the child. She claims the child was “flopping around” during the spanking with a belt, which caused the injuries. None of the child’s injuries matched the stories given by the family. Arrest warrants were issued in March, and the involved parties were taken into custody this past week.
