Father Facing Homicide, Assault Charges After Daughter, 7, Found Dead
STOCKTON (CBS13) – A man is facing charges of homicide and assault on a child after his 7-year-old daughter was found dead in their home early Saturday, the Stockton Police Department said.
Officers responded at around 4:45 a.m. to the 1300 block of Candlewood Way to conduct a welfare check on the child.
The young girl was located unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Family of the little girl, who they identify as Billie Williams, were shocked to hear of her tragic death.
"We've been crying all morning, family who didn't wish to be identified said. "It's very heartbreaking." Family of 7-year-old Billie says she was a smiley little girl.
"When she was around us, she was happy," they said.
Authorities said the girl's father, Billey Williams, 30, was taken into custody.
"It's just very disheartening," Officer Joe Silva with Stockton Police said. "Everyone's wondering how could this father do this to his small daughter?"
Those are questions 30-year-old Billey Williams' family want answered, too. In disbelief their family member would be capable of this - now hoping and waiting to learn they may be more to the story.
"I'm not trying to make my brother out to be an angel or anything like that," family said. "But from what I know of my brother he's a very sweet person."
Detectives ask that anyone with information on the situation please contact the police department.