Burnett County (WQOW) - The Burnett County Sheriff's
Department says the parents of Reena Williams, who drowned last month, have
turned themselves in. Jenna Danish and Thomas Jay Williams turned themselves
around noon Sunday.
Prosecutors filed charges against the two on Friday. They're
charged with felony child neglect resulting in death.
Reena's body was found in a canal about 25 yards away from
her home outside of Danbury.
The complaint alleges drug use, and a pattern of neglecting
the girl.
Investigators say Reena wandered
away from home at least 6 times this year, and several times ended up a
mile and a half away from her home.
Just 2 hours before a massive search
was launched for the toddler, a woman spotted her wandering in Danbury. The woman says she took Reena home, but no
one came to the door. Thomas Williams
eventually walked into the yard. The woman says the father seemed un-concerned
that the child had been found 12-blocks away. She also said he seemed
incoherent. Later that day, when the girl disappeared again, the same woman
joined the search for her. She says she came across both parents, and neither
was looking for the child. Another
witness told investigators he had smoked synthetic marijuana with Williams
minutes before Reena went missing. And deputies say a search of their home
turned up marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and a dozen devices commonly used to
smoke it.
Police say the girl's mother also
admitted to another person that she was sleeping when Reena disappeared. Investigators
also say the family's home was surrounded by water and there were no fences to
protect the toddler.
They also say house windows were
covered with bed sheets, preventing a view of the canal where her body was
found
The charges carry a maximum possible
penalty of 25-years in prison. Williams and Danish are due in court next month.
