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11h ago

Montrell Williams’s Family Plans Lawsuit Over Police Handling of Toddler’s Death

An internal review has been ordered after NYPD leaders faced criticism for reportedly treating the 2-year-old’s disappearance as a custody matter rather than a missing-person emergency.

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Rev. Kevin McCall embraces Octavia Roane, the maternal grandmother of Montrell Williams, after a press conference outside the 40th Pct. Monday, June 16, 2025 in the Bronx, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News)
Rev. Kevin McCall joins Montrell Williams’ maternal grandmother and other religious leaders at the 40th Precinct in the Bronx on June 16, 2025.

Overview

  • Montrell Williams’s body was recovered from the East River on June 11 and a DNA test confirmed his identity.
  • Prosecutors allege 20-year-old Arius Williams threw the toddler into the Bronx River on May 10 and he is now held without bail on murder and manslaughter charges.
  • Family representatives, including Rev. Kevin McCall and grandmother Octavia Roane, say NYPD officers initially dismissed the disappearance as a custody dispute and delayed a thorough search.
  • In light of the perceived failures, Montrell’s family is exploring a lawsuit against New York City for allegedly mishandling the case from the first 911 call onward.
  • Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Eric Adams have ordered an internal review to examine the department’s response protocols and timeline.