Baltimore woman charged with child abuse resulting in death of 2-month-old son
A Baltimore woman has been charged with first-degree child abuse resulting in death after her 2-month-old son died in 2025 from complications of severe dehydration and malnourishment, according to the medical examiner's office. An autopsy also found a head injury that caused bleeding in the brain.
Taylor Williams, 20, was arrested Oct. 5 in the 300 block of Kane Street.
Baltimore police responded to a report of a non-breathing infant at the intersection of Loch Raven Boulevard around 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 31, 2025, according to the department. Baltimore City Fire Department personnel performed CPR before the child, identified as Malik Woodard, was taken to Johns Hopkins Pediatrics.
The boy was pronounced dead at the hospital despite medical efforts.
Homicide detectives were notified because the death was considered suspicious, and they launched an investigation.
Great-grandmother told detectives infant was struggling to breathe
According to charging documents obtained by CBS News Baltimore, the infant's great-grandmother told detectives she checked on the child after he began crying abnormally and appeared to be struggling to breathe.
The great-grandmother said she alerted Williams, the child's mother, but Williams told her to leave the room.
Williams told investigators she briefly went to the bathroom between 10 and 11 a.m. and returned to find her son unresponsive. She said the child had no preexisting medical conditions and that she sought help from a passing motorist, called 911 and performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived.
Medical examiner found severe dehydration, malnourishment
The medical examiner's office determined the infant died from complications of severe dehydration and malnourishment. The examination also revealed a head injury that caused brain hemorrhaging.
Medical records showed the child gained just 50 grams between his birth on June 9 and his death on Aug. 31, 2025.
Online court records show Williams was released after posting bond.
Neighbors react to infant's death
Neighbors told CBS News Baltimore on Monday that they had not heard about the case but described the street as tight-knit and family-oriented.
"There's no reason for a child to be hungry when we live in Maryland," said Tamika Cole. "Baltimore City has a lot of resources, and if push came to shove, they could have reached out for help. There's a shelter right here."
A worker at a nearby store, who declined to appear on camera, said she remembered Williams coming into the store to buy groceries, sometimes with her baby.
CBS News Baltimore visited the home listed in court documents, but no one answered the door.