Riviera Beach Mother Indicted for First-Degree Murder of 7-Year-Old Daughter

Naikishia Williams, a Riviera Beach mother, has been indicted on first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges in the April death of her 7-year-old daughter, Nia Williams, who died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen. Williams was arrested and is being held without bond at Palm Beach County Jail. Caretakers Whytni Walker and Rebecca Finley, who had previously raised concerns about Nia's malnourishment and abuse to Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF), expressed frustration over the lack of intervention that might have prevented the tragedy. They described Nia as a joyful child who loved makeup and vowed to seek justice for her. Authorities continue to investigate, with more details expected to emerge, and Williams' other children are now in the care of family members. The case highlights alleged systemic failures by child protective services despite repeated warnings from those close to the child.