Topline: Authorities say the child hit his head on a bed frame and floor after being thrown, later dying at the hospital.
Published: June 6, 2025 9:00 am ET
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Zachary Williams (via West Virginia Central Regional Jail)
JANE LEW, WV — A 27-year-old man is facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death after police say he admitted to throwing a toddler out of frustration, ultimately causing fatal injuries.
Zachary Williams was arrested after investigators say he confessed to harming 17-month-old child while trying to calm him down during a bout of fussiness on Sunday morning, WDTV reported.
Emergency responders were dispatched to a home on McWhorter Road in Jane Lew after the child stopped breathing. Paramedics attempted CPR and transported the boy to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
The child’s grandparents, who lived in the home, told authorities that the baby had appeared mostly fine earlier in the day aside from a recurring cold. They recalled the toddler crawling on the kitchen floor and lightly bumping his head, leaving a small red mark, but nothing they viewed as alarming. A preliminary exam confirmed the child had a bruise above his left eye but did not reveal any obvious signs of trauma at the time.
Authorities questioned those in the home about possible drug or alcohol use. According to the criminal complaint, the child’s mother acknowledged using Delta-8, a cannabis-derived substance, but said she only used it outside the home. The grandparents said they did not suspect either parent of mistreating the child.
Later, while speaking with law enforcement at the hospital, the child’s mother recounted the morning’s events. She said her son had been unusually fussy due to illness, according to WDTV.
After feeding him breakfast, she attempted to put him down for a nap, but the child resisted. She then woke Williams for help, and he carried the child to the bedroom.
Shortly after, Williams began yelling for assistance. When the mother entered the room, she found the child limp and unresponsive. She immediately called 911 and began CPR.
Williams initially told police he had been trying to soothe the child by bouncing him, but said the baby suddenly went limp.
However, after the autopsy two days later revealed a significant skull fracture at the back of the child’s head—an injury the medical examiner said was consistent with blunt force trauma—authorities conducted another round of questioning, according to WV News.
At that point, court documents state, Williams admitted he had thrown the child in frustration, causing the baby to strike his head on both a bed frame and the floor. He reportedly told police, “it was all his fault,” according to WDTV
Williams remains in custody at Central Regional Jail without bond as he faces charges of first-degree murder and child abuse causing death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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West Virginia Man Allegedly Admits to Throwing Crying Toddler Out of Frustration
Authorities say the child hit his head on a bed frame and floor after being thrown, later dying at the hospital.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 6, 2025 9:00 am ET
Zachary Williams (via West Virginia Central Regional Jail)
JANE LEW, WV — A 27-year-old man is facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death after police say he admitted to throwing a toddler out of frustration, ultimately causing fatal injuries.
Zachary Williams was arrested after investigators say he confessed to harming 17-month-old child while trying to calm him down during a bout of fussiness on Sunday morning, WDTV reported.
Emergency responders were dispatched to a home on McWhorter Road in Jane Lew after the child stopped breathing. Paramedics attempted CPR and transported the boy to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
The child’s grandparents, who lived in the home, told authorities that the baby had appeared mostly fine earlier in the day aside from a recurring cold. They recalled the toddler crawling on the kitchen floor and lightly bumping his head, leaving a small red mark, but nothing they viewed as alarming. A preliminary exam confirmed the child had a bruise above his left eye but did not reveal any obvious signs of trauma at the time.
Authorities questioned those in the home about possible drug or alcohol use. According to the criminal complaint, the child’s mother acknowledged using Delta-8, a cannabis-derived substance, but said she only used it outside the home. The grandparents said they did not suspect either parent of mistreating the child.
Later, while speaking with law enforcement at the hospital, the child’s mother recounted the morning’s events. She said her son had been unusually fussy due to illness, according to WDTV.
After feeding him breakfast, she attempted to put him down for a nap, but the child resisted. She then woke Williams for help, and he carried the child to the bedroom.
Shortly after, Williams began yelling for assistance. When the mother entered the room, she found the child limp and unresponsive. She immediately called 911 and began CPR.
Williams initially told police he had been trying to soothe the child by bouncing him, but said the baby suddenly went limp.
However, after the autopsy two days later revealed a significant skull fracture at the back of the child’s head—an injury the medical examiner said was consistent with blunt force trauma—authorities conducted another round of questioning, according to WV News.
At that point, court documents state, Williams admitted he had thrown the child in frustration, causing the baby to strike his head on both a bed frame and the floor. He reportedly told police, “it was all his fault,” according to WDTV
Williams remains in custody at Central Regional Jail without bond as he faces charges of first-degree murder and child abuse causing death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
West Virginia Man Allegedly Admits to Throwing Crying Toddler Out of Frustration
Authorities say the child hit his head on a bed frame and floor after being thrown, later dying at the hospital.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 6, 2025 9:00 am ET
Zachary Williams (via West Virginia Central Regional Jail)
JANE LEW, WV — A 27-year-old man is facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death after police say he admitted to throwing a toddler out of frustration, ultimately causing fatal injuries.
Zachary Williams was arrested after investigators say he confessed to harming 17-month-old child while trying to calm him down during a bout of fussiness on Sunday morning, WDTV reported.
Emergency responders were dispatched to a home on McWhorter Road in Jane Lew after the child stopped breathing. Paramedics attempted CPR and transported the boy to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.
The child’s grandparents, who lived in the home, told authorities that the baby had appeared mostly fine earlier in the day aside from a recurring cold. They recalled the toddler crawling on the kitchen floor and lightly bumping his head, leaving a small red mark, but nothing they viewed as alarming. A preliminary exam confirmed the child had a bruise above his left eye but did not reveal any obvious signs of trauma at the time.
Authorities questioned those in the home about possible drug or alcohol use. According to the criminal complaint, the child’s mother acknowledged using Delta-8, a cannabis-derived substance, but said she only used it outside the home. The grandparents said they did not suspect either parent of mistreating the child.
Later, while speaking with law enforcement at the hospital, the child’s mother recounted the morning’s events. She said her son had been unusually fussy due to illness, according to WDTV.
After feeding him breakfast, she attempted to put him down for a nap, but the child resisted. She then woke Williams for help, and he carried the child to the bedroom.
Shortly after, Williams began yelling for assistance. When the mother entered the room, she found the child limp and unresponsive. She immediately called 911 and began CPR.
Williams initially told police he had been trying to soothe the child by bouncing him, but said the baby suddenly went limp.
However, after the autopsy two days later revealed a significant skull fracture at the back of the child’s head—an injury the medical examiner said was consistent with blunt force trauma—authorities conducted another round of questioning, according to WV News.
At that point, court documents state, Williams admitted he had thrown the child in frustration, causing the baby to strike his head on both a bed frame and the floor. He reportedly told police, “it was all his fault,” according to WDTV
Williams remains in custody at Central Regional Jail without bond as he faces charges of first-degree murder and child abuse causing death.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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