Child killed: Prosecutors allege 2-year-old Montrell Williams was alive when father allegedly threw boy into New York's East River
Share this @internewscast.com

A 20-year-old father has been arraigned on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of his 2-year-old son, who was presumably found dead in New York’s East River this week.

During the arraignment, prosecutors allege the child was alive when he was thrown into the river.

Police said they have video of the father, Arius Williams, when he allegedly threw the child to his death at 11:57 p.m. on May 10.

Janice Yu reports outside the courthouse where 20-year-old Arius Williams was arraigned Thursday on murder charges.

Video showed his activities before and after the alleged crime, including showing that the child was alive and in the father’s arms on surveillance video immediately prior.

The child was standing, at one point, and then the video shows Williams throw the child over the bridge, then walk in front of a gas station without the child.

Police believe they found the body of Montrell Williams, who had been missing for a month, in the East River on Wednesday.

Authorities are still awaiting a positive identification from the medical examiner.

The father appeared in Bronx Family Court on Monday to answer a warrant for failing to return the boy to the mother, per their custody agreement. He was put in jail by a judge after he failed to disclose the child’s whereabouts.

William’s mother said he took the child from the house — wearing a shirt, diaper, along with a blanket — after the grandmother said they got into an argument.

After he left the area of the bridge, police said Williams went to another family member’s house and would not explain what happened, then he ran away from the family.

Timeline:

The child was supposed to be returned to his mother on May 11, and when he wasn’t, the mother contacted police and went to family court.

Williams had limited contact with family and did not disclose the whereabouts of the child, the complaint said.

Then, on May 28, family court issued an order for the defendant to produce the child, the complaint said.

On June 8, the mother of the child ran into Williams on the street after not having heard from him and desperately trying to get in contact with him, demanded to know where their child was, according to the complaint.

Williams initially refused, then took her to St. Mary’s Park, where he allegedly pulled a knife and threatened the mother, and said he threw the child in the river, according to the complaint.

The mother continued to follow Williams into Manhattan and contacted police.

He was taken into custody on a custodial interference warrant.

The mother of the child was granted an order of protection.

Family struggling to understand why

Williams’ mother and stepfather and another family member were at the arraignment on Thursday night, and audibly gasped and cried when some of the details were read from the complaint.

The tight-knit family of the young father, accused of doing the unthinkable, is struggling to understand why.

“Nobody expected this at all, because he loved his son. I don’t know what drove him to do this,” said the suspect’s step-grandfather, Leroy Burton.

The mystery is so painful and baffling to the family. They say the boy’s father recently seemed like he had begun struggling with mental health issues.

“The baby kept saying ‘Daddy, daddy, daddy.’ That’s what crushes me the most, is that he kept calling him ‘Daddy, daddy.’ He trusted him…he took his life,” the suspect’s aunt, Alicia Williams, said.

The family is remembering Montrell as a sweet and happy toddler.

Once the body recovered Wednesday has been officially identified, the medical examiner will have to determine exactly how the little boy died.

Williams is facing two counts on each charge of second-degree murder and manslaughter because the victim is under the age of 11.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
American Airlines jet lands in Miami with bullet holes after trip to Colombia

American Airlines Aircraft Arrives in Miami with Bullet Holes After Colombia Flight

In a recent incident, bullet holes were discovered on the wing of…
Trump blasts Democrats who refused to stand for protecting Americans over 'illegal aliens' at State of the Union 2026

Trump Criticizes Democrats for Not Standing Up for American Protection in State of the Union 2026 Address

President Trump criticized Democratic leaders who declined to support his assertion that…
Anna Kepner's stepbrother charged with homicide: court docs

Shocking Homicide Charges Filed Against Anna Kepner’s Stepbrother: Unveiling Court Documents

The stepbrother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was discovered deceased in her…
United Cajun Navy offers search and rescue services in hunt for Nancy Guthrie

United Cajun Navy Provides Expert Search and Rescue Support in Efforts to Locate Nancy Guthrie

TUCSON, Ariz. – In an effort to assist in the search for…
Horror as person falls 250ft to their death off notorious 'Devil's Slide' cliff

Tragic Plunge: 250ft Fall at Infamous ‘Devil’s Slide’ Cliff Shocks Community

A tragic incident occurred when an individual plummeted 250 feet to their…
City overcharged residents for city sticker, Chicago parking ticket for years, judge rules

Judge Determines Chicago Residents Overcharged for City Stickers and Parking Tickets Over Several Years

A Cook County judge has determined that the city of Chicago has…
Flavor Flav offers to host U.S. women’s hockey team in Vegas after Trump snub

Flavor Flav Invites U.S. Women’s Hockey Team to Vegas Celebration After Trump Decline

Rapper Flavor Flav has stepped up to host a celebration for the…
5th Chicago Police Department tactical team member, Richard Rodriquez Jr. stripped of powers over traffic stop-turned-search

Fifth Member of Chicago PD Tactical Team, Richard Rodriquez Jr., Loses Authority Following Traffic Stop Incident

CHICAGO — A fifth officer from a contentious Chicago police tactical unit…
Two men die in separate incidents at premier Tahoe-area ski resort

Tragic Ski Resort Incidents: Two Lives Lost in Separate Tahoe-Area Accidents

A call made late Friday morning alerted authorities to two fatalities at…
Postal Service can't be sued for intentionally not delivering mail, Supreme Court rules in 5-4 split

Supreme Court Ruling Shields Postal Service from Lawsuits Over Intentional Mail Delivery Failures: A 5-4 Decision

The United States Supreme Court has determined that the U.S. Postal Service…
Missing mom found alive after vanishing 24 years ago

North Carolina Mom Reemerges After 24 Years: Unveiling the Mystery Behind Her Disappearance

A North Carolina woman, who vanished over two decades ago, has been…
Kamala Harris refuses to rule out another White House run: ‘I haven’t decided’ 

Kamala Harris Keeps Future Presidential Bid Open: ‘Decision Still Pending

On Monday, former Vice President Kamala Harris hinted at the possibility of…