STOCKTON, Calif. — The stepmother of a 7-year-old Stockton girl who died from suspected child abuse has now been arrested in connection with the case.
Takiesha Williams, 38, and the young girl’s biological father Billy Williams, 30, are both facing six felony charges of child abuse and one felony charge of torture for the death of 7-year-old Billie Williams.
Takiesha's arrest comes three weeks after police arrested Billy. She is being held on $2,000,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned in San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton Thursday afternoon.
"I was just thankful that the arrest was made to get her off of the streets so this wouldn't happen to another child," said Danielle Bailey, cousin to the little girl.
Billie was found dead by Stockton police inside the garage of her North Stockton home on Candlewood Way near Davis Road on May 23. The officers were called to the home to conduct a welfare check. Takiesha was home at the time of the welfare check along with five other children.
"You know she should have been where she should have been from day one. She's right where she should have been from day one," said Annette Williams, the little girl's aunt.
A representative with the Stockton Police Department said the other children were taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services (CPS).
"This is still an active investigation and we're still asking for people if they have information in regards to the family dynamics what was going on inside that home to please give us a call," said Stockton Police spokesman Joe Silva.
In San Joaquin County calls to child abuse hotlines have dropped more than 50% since the pandemic began, according to the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County.
Why? Because mandated reporters like teachers, counselors, coaches and others are not seeing children face to face.
"These are kids that are left in the homes with their abuser and they can't leave," said Lindy Turner Hardin, Executive Director of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County.
Turner Hardin says her non-profit must now rely on the general public to be the "eyes and ears" for children who are being abused.
If you suspect someone is being abused, call the local hotline at 209-464-4524.
Read more from ABC10
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