SCIOTO COUNTY, OH — A New Boston woman has been arrested on multiple charges of child endangerment following the discovery of injuries to a 9-month-old child. Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman confirmed that his office, along with the New Boston Police Department and Scioto County Children Services, began an investigation on Friday, January 10, 2025.
At approximately 5:54 PM that day, authorities were alerted that a 9-month-old infant was being transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for serious injuries, including broken bones, a black eye, and other unexplained injuries. The child was initially treated at Southern Ohio Medical Center before being transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus for specialized care.
Sheriff Thoroughman reported that detectives responded to 3621 Rhodes Avenue in New Boston, the home of the child’s mother, where they conducted interviews and began gathering information. As the investigation continued, detectives awaited the findings from the medical team at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The report, received on Saturday, January 11, revealed the timeline of the child’s injuries. The oldest injury dated back approximately 10 days, with the most recent injury occurring just four days ago.
Further investigation revealed that the child had been seen earlier that day at King’s Daughter Medical Center. After being discharged, the mother was instructed to take the child directly to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. However, Children Services was contacted after the mother failed to comply with the instructions and the child did not show up at the hospital. Authorities intervened, removing the child from the home and arranging for medical treatment at SOMC. Two additional children were also removed from the residence.
Kayla Siearra Williams, 30, of 3621 Rhodes Avenue, New Boston, was arrested and charged with two counts of Endangering Children (a second-degree felony) and five counts of Endangering Children (a third-degree felony). She is currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $350,000 bond. Williams is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Sheriff Thoroughman expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the New Boston Police Department, and Scioto County Children Services in assisting with the investigation.
This case remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.
