Babysitter Sentenced for Killing 2-Year-Old by Covering His Playpen with a Mattress

Mar. 15, 2025

Za’khi Williams.Photo:dignitymemorial.com

dignitymemorial.com

Napier tearfully apologized in court, telling the family of 2-year-old Za’khi Williams she had “no intention” of hurting the toddler, who died in July 2023.

As part of her plea agreement, Napier admitted to putting a queen-size mattress on top of the playpen with the toddler inside, WSAZ reports, citing authorities. According to the outlet, Napier said she had been living in the Dunbar, W. Va., home and looking after the boy for several days before the incident.

WCHSreports Napier told investigators that she placed the mattress on top of the playpen to keep the child contained.

Investigators said Za’khi became pinned in between the mattress and the railing of the playpen, according to WSAZ. The outlet reports that local police responded to the home on July 11, 2023, after a caller reported that the boy was not breathing. Za’khi was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Za’khi’s mother faced Napier in court Monday, saying her “family got ripped apart,” following her son’s death.

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In addition to her consecutive prison sentences, Judge Kenneth Ballard imposed a 50-year supervision order and prohibited Napier from visiting her children, West Virginia Metro News reports.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

source: people.com