Williams, Trotman face homicide charges | News | Berkeley Independent

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Williams, Trotman face homicide charges

Published Friday, July 09, 2010 12:10 PM

By Jim Tatum
Berkeley Independent

photo by Jim Tatum

Sheriff Wayne DeWitt briefs reporters on developments on the Rodricus Fred Williams case during a press conference held Wednesday afternoon at the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. A second press conference was set for Thursday. Check for updates at journalscene.com.

photo provided

Roger Anthony Williams

photo provided/AP

Rodricus Fred Williams

photo provided

Trotman

photo provided/AP

The father of a missing two-year-old boy and his girlfriend face charges of homicide by child abuse after investigators disinterred the body of a young African American male child encased in a concrete-filled trashcan Thursday.

Roger Anthony Williams, 28, and Grace Nicole Trotman of Summerville have been charged with homicide by child abuse in connection with the disappearance of Williams’ son, two-year-old Rodricus Fred Williams.

The two have been in custody since early Wednesday morning, he on outstanding bench warrants and a charge of simple possession of marijuana, and she on a charge of obstruction of justice.

In a press conference Thursday in Moncks Corner, Berkeley County Sheriff Wayne DeWitt confirmed that charges against the suspects will be forthcoming later Thursday. DeWitt said that Trotman “is cooperating” with investigators, while Williams is not.

DeWitt told reporters Wednesday that investigators had found a concrete-filled trashcan behind a mobile home located near Bowman, in Orangeburg County, after receiving information during the course of their investigation into Rodricus’s disappearance. DeWitt had ordered the container to be transported to the Medical University of South Carolina for “forensic disassembly.”

On Thursday, MUSC forensic investigators found a body of an obviously young African American male which has certain characteristics that match the description of Rodricus, who has been missing since Tuesday, DeWitt said. The body had been placed inside trash bags in the trashcan; with concrete poured over the bags, he said.

The body is so decomposed that positive identification will have to be made through DNA testing, he said.

A series of events described as bizarre, tragic, and horrible by those close to the investigation began unfolding Tuesday evening at Battery Park in downtown Charleston. At that time, a woman – later identified as Trotman -- had reported to the Charleston Police that she saw Rodricus wandering the battery and that he had possibly gone through the rails and fallen over the seawall into the harbor. An intense search for the boy ensued Tuesday night but was called off Wednesday morning when it was found that Rodricus had never been at the Battery.

Trotman was later charged with obstruction of justice by CPD; she is currently incarcerated in the Charleston County Detention Center.

Rodricus is the son of Williams and Shaneeka Washington, who lives in Columbia. DeWitt said Wednesday they had made a custody arrangement for Rodricus to stay with Williams and Trotman – who have two other children together – at their home on Longbourne Drive in Summerville until September.

Rodricus’ mother unexpectedly decided to travel from the Columbia area to see their son. She and Williams apparently made arrangements for her to see Rodricus at Battery Park in Charleston.

That is when Rodricus reportedly first went missing, DeWitt said.

An intense search ensued Tuesday evening after a woman – later determined to be Trotman – reported that she saw Rodricus wander away in the park and that he may have fallen over the sea wall into Charleston Harbor.

DeWitt said an obvious person of interest was the boy’s father, Williams. Investigators soon determined that Williams had a number of warrants against him with BCSO and with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office. Officers with the Summerville and Charleston Police Departments arrested Williams at about 4 a.m. Wednesday at the Econo-Lodge in Summerville.

According to an SPD incident report, officers went to Room 309 where Williams was allegedly staying. A woman determined to have had no knowledge of Williams' alleged actions opened the door.

According to the report, Williams, who had been sitting on the bed, got up and said, “I’m the one you’re looking for,” then turned around and put his hands behind his back. When asked about the smell of burnt marijuana in the room, Williams admitted that he had just smoked marijuana and that there was no more in the room.

The investigation continues and more charges may be forthcoming.

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