Bronx Father Charged with Murder of 2-Year-Old Son
In a tragic and disturbing turn of events, Arius Williams, age 20, has been charged with the murder of his 2-year-old son, Montrell Williams, who went missing last month. Authorities have reported that surveillance footage allegedly shows Arius throwing the toddler into the Bronx River on the night of May 10, shortly before Montrell was reported missing.
Discovery of Remains
On June 11, a body believed to be Montrell’s was recovered near the Whitestone Bridge in Queens. The remains were badly decomposed and found wrapped in a blanket, wearing only a diaper with one sock. This devastating finding has raised further questions about the circumstances leading to the child’s death.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Arius Williams faces two counts each of second-degree murder and manslaughter. He was previously taken into custody on charges of custodial interference after refusing to disclose Montrell’s location to a family court judge. His attorney did not provide immediate comments regarding these serious allegations.
Family’s Heartbreak
The child’s grandfather, Leroy Burton, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. "We are dealing with two losses. I lost my child and we lost him, too," he stated. Burton described his son, Arius, as suffering from severe mental health issues in recent months, claiming the young father had displayed erratic behavior, including talking to himself and laughing inappropriately.
In the days leading up to the tragedy, tensions escalated between Arius and Montrell’s mother, who had reportedly filed missing person reports but claimed law enforcement did not intervene, citing the child’s scheduled visitation rights.
Calls for Accountability
Burton lamented the handling of the situation by authorities, believing that a more expedited missing persons report could have led to a faster resolution and perhaps prevented the tragedy. "They should have put out the missing persons report earlier. We could have had closure sooner," he said, expressing his heartbreak over the ordeal.
The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is now reviewing the police department’s actions in connection to Montrell’s case, as the community grapples with the shocking loss of a young life.
Further updates on this developing story will be provided as more information becomes available.
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