An 18-year-old mother, Jakayla Ashanti Williams, has been charged with capital murder in Dothan after allegedly disposing of her newborn in a trash compactor. The police chief, Will Benny, in a news conference, detailed how Williams informed her family she had taken the baby to Southeast Health Medical Center. Suspicion arose when her family checked with the hospital and found no record of the infant. Upon police intervention, it was uncovered that Williams had given birth on Aug. 13 and subsequently left the newborn in a trash compactor. The infant’s remains were later recovered. Williams reportedly told authorities she didn’t want the child. Chief Benny expressed profound disbelief at the crime, noting that Williams was aware of the option to leave her baby at the hospital safely. He described the incident as unparalleled in its horror during his 27 years in law enforcement. The baby’s father was also misled about the child’s whereabouts. Williams’ legal representation remains unconfirmed.
