Atlanta, Ga. (CBS46) — Teresa Ann Bailey Black, 45, has been charged with two counts of felony assault, two counts of cruelty to children, grievous assault, and concealment of death, said the Decal County District Attorney’s Office, said. another.
The break in the case came in 1998 when a tip was sought from someone who knew Teresa and William DeShawn Hamilton and had been searching for 6-year-old William ever since.
Ava, who prefers to keep her surname private, says she was very close to Teresa and William when they lived in Charlotte, North Carolina. She often cared for William and described him as a fun, witty, courageous and intelligent little boy who loved to dance.
“He loved telling jokes,” Ava said. “He loved to draw a lot, color, mainly read books. He didn’t want you to read him…he wanted you to read!”
According to investigators, Teresa left Charlotte, North Carolina, with William but she returned without him.
Investigators said she told different stories about William.
Ava’s tip, convened 23 years later at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, gave a new direction to the investigation.
NCMEC began an effort to research, analyze and combine the pieces to help investigators trace William’s family. William’s identity was officially confirmed, with DNA work provided by Bode Technology.
“This case is a perfect example of why we never give up hope,” said Angeline Hartman, communications director at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “For more than two decades, a woman in Charlotte realized that something wasn’t right. She called, scoured the Internet, and talked to anyone who listened. We’re grateful she didn’t stop when until she presented William online and gave the missing piece to investigators to help solve this 23-year-old mystery. Many thanks to the Dekalb County District Attorney’s Office, the Dekalb County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Dekalb County Police for their hard work. Thank you for bringing us here today.
According to the Decl County DA’s office, Teresa was taken into custody near her home in Phoenix, Arizona and is currently awaiting extradition to Georgia.
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