DeKalb County Mother Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Killing 4-Year-Old Son

Decatur, Ga. – A DeKalb County jury has convicted a mother accused of brutally beating her 4-year-old son because he would not use the toilet. District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that Sophia Williams, 43, was found guilty on August 27, 2025, of Malice Murder, two counts of Felony Murder, four counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, and three counts of Aggravated Battery in the death of her son, Anthony Vice.

On Tuesday, December 9, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Asha F. Jackson sentenced Williams to life without the possibility of parole, plus 10 years.

The case began on March 6, 2022, when DeKalb County police officers responded to an apartment on Tregoney Drive after receiving a call about an unresponsive child. Officers found Anthony on the living room floor without a heartbeat. EMS crews noted extensive bruising, both old and new, covering much of his body. The child was taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he was pronounced dead.

During the investigation, Williams told officers that Anthony was not potty trained and admitted to striking him with her hand, a house slipper, a purse strap, and a charging cord when he had accidents or did not follow directions. She also claimed Anthony had hit his head the week prior, denying responsibility for any head injuries.

A 13-year-old in the home told investigators that Williams had “whooped” Anthony the afternoon before his death after he refused to use the bathroom. The child said Anthony became dizzy, collapsed, and never fully regained consciousness. Instead of seeking medical help, Williams placed him on a bed, threw water on him, and later searched online for “remedy for concussion” and “Coma – symptoms and causes.”

Williams told officers she avoided calling for help because she feared questions about the bruises on Anthony’s body. She called the boy’s father at 5:38 a.m. the next morning, then waited nearly an hour before calling 911. An autopsy found Anthony died from blunt force trauma to the head and likely would have survived had he received medical care sooner.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah Hilleren of the Child Crimes Unit, with support from Chief Assistant District Attorney Eddie Chase, former District Attorney Investigator Niyema Smith, and Victim Advocate Jenaiya Coleman. Former DeKalb County Police Detective J. Hayes led the initial investigation.

All parties involved emphasized the tragic and preventable nature of the child’s death.