A woman from New Boston, Ohio, has been arrested in a heartbreaking case involving child endangerment, according to Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman. The situation unfolded when Scioto County Children Services reached out to the sheriff’s office and the New Boston Police Department for help on a Friday evening.
It all began just before 6:00 p.m. when a call came in about a 9-month-old baby being taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with serious injuries. These injuries included broken bones, a black eye, and other unexplained wounds. Doctors at the hospital, part of a specialized child abuse team, examined the baby and shared their findings with investigators.
While waiting for the hospital’s report, detectives went to the 3600 block of Rhodes Avenue in New Boston. There, they met with the baby’s mother and others to gather information. On Saturday, after receiving the detailed hospital report, the detectives took the baby’s mother to the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office for further questioning.
The investigation revealed a timeline of the baby’s injuries. Detectives determined that the oldest injury occurred around 10 days ago, while the most recent happened just four days before the hospital visit. They also discovered that earlier on Friday, the baby had been taken to King’s Daughter Medical Center, where the mother was instructed to go directly to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for further care. But instead of following through, the mother didn’t take the baby to the hospital, which raised alarm bells.
When the baby didn’t show up at Nationwide Hospital, Children Services stepped in. They took the baby to Southern Ohio Medical Center for immediate treatment. During this process, authorities also removed two other children from the same home to ensure their safety.
Following their investigation, detectives arrested Kayla Siearra Williams, a 30-year-old resident of New Boston. She now faces serious charges, including two counts of second-degree felony child endangerment and five counts of third-degree felony child endangerment. Williams is currently being held at the Scioto County Jail on a $350,000 bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, January 13, 2025, at Portsmouth Municipal Court.
The investigation is still ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.
