An Ohio man wanted in connection with a toddler’s death in 2020 was arrested five years later in Massachusetts.
Dioblis Williams, 25, was apprehended in the downtown area of Framingham on Wednesday, Aug. 27, around 8:30 a.m. local time, according to a Framingham Police Department (FPD) news release.
Williams is accused of murdering Jamir Jones, a two-year-old boy discovered unconscious in a bathtub in Columbus, Ohio, five years ago.
Police said they saw Williams wearing a wig before arresting him.
Police officer Andrew Lewis was in the area for a briefing with the US Marshals Service (USMS) and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS) about their attempt to apprehend Williams, who was believed to be in the city.
Lewis, police said, noticed two people walking on the sidewalk, one of whom “appeared to be wearing a wig.”
“Officers observed the individual and came to the determination that the individual wearing the wig was indeed the male that the USMS and VFAS were intending to arrest,” according to the statement.
Williams was taken into custody and booked into the FPD. He was charged with the Massachusetts Straight Warrant for Fugitive from Justice and the Ohio Warrant for Murder.
It’s unclear why Williams was in Massachusetts.
“That person was in our community and wanted for a pretty horrific crime,” said deputy chief Sean Riley to KOLD News 13.
When another officer attempted to stop Williams, he ran across the street. According to the news outlet, the suspect stumbled and dropped his wig before surrendering.
According to KOLD News 13, Williams was believed to be in the area based on his Instagram usage.
Williams faces murder charges in connection with the toddler’s death.
According to Ohio news outlet 10TV, police initially responded in 2020 to a report of a drowning that occurred while Williams was babysitting his girlfriend’s child.
According to court documents reviewed by 10TV, Williams left the toddler unsupervised in the bathtub, and the boy was discovered unconscious and transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the outlet, an autopsy revealed that the boy suffered blunt force trauma to his abdomen as well as bruises on his stomach, head, and neck.
Acting U.S. Marshal Kevin Neal issued a statement regarding Williams’ arrest, saying, “Today’s arrest is a reminder that you can run but not hide. Mr. Williams believed he could evade arrest and accountability by hiding in Massachusetts. I hope today’s arrest moves us one step closer to justice for a young child whose life ended tragically.”
According to the US Marshals Service, Williams will be arraigned in Massachusetts before being extradited to Ohio.
