An Ohio couple is now charged with murder in the death of the woman’s toddler in Cincinnati, according to police.
A Hamilton County Grand Jury also indicted Hydia Hamilton-Smith and her boyfriend Rodney Williams on charges of felonious assault and child endangering. Hamilton-Smith also faces an involuntary manslaughter charge.
On July 31, 2022, Hamilton-Smith called 911 to say her son, 21-month-old Darnell Gamble, had been burned. He was taken to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The coroner determined Darnell died from head trauma. But the coroner also found cigarette burns, other burns to the left side of the body, optic nerve damage, a liver laceration, a rib fracture and bite marks on several parts of his body.
At the time, no one besides Hamilton-Smith and Williams was caring for Darnell.
Williams is also accused of abusing his former girlfriend’s 2-year-old son in 2018. That boy survived but suffered abdominal bruising, lacerations to his liver and adrenal gland, fluid in his pelvis, a black eye, and bite marks.
Both could be sentenced to life in prison if they’re convicted.
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