At 4:00 a.m. on August 11, 2025, emergency responders arrived at the Eagle Pointe apartments near 71st Street and Sheridan Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to find a one-month-old boy in cardiac arrest. He was rushed to Saint Francis Hospital Tulsa, but the infant died shortly after arrival. His body bore seven severe, non-accidental injuries: fractures to the right femur, right humerus, left clavicle, and left arm; a pneumothorax; and a fractured, deformed skull. The medical team concluded these weren’t accidents. They were the result of violent trauma. And the evidence pointed squarely at one person: the baby’s father, Tyrice Williams.
The Moment the Video Spoke
The key to the case wasn’t a confession. It wasn’t even a witness. It was a doorbell camera. Tulsa Police Department detectives reviewed footage that showed the infant’s mother and an unidentified third adult leaving the apartment together just before 3:45 a.m. Then, at 3:58 a.m., Williams walked out holding an empty liquor bottle. He returned alone 15 minutes later. That’s when the audio caught it: seven sharp, rhythmic thuds — each separated by about 1.7 seconds — occurring over a 12-second span. Investigators matched the timing to the pattern of injuries. One thud per trauma. No other explanation fit.Williams told detectives he’d been holding the baby when someone shoved him down the stairs. But the video showed no one else was inside. No struggle. No fall. Just silence, then those seven impacts. "We don’t need a confession when the evidence screams," said one investigator familiar with the case, speaking on condition of anonymity. "The audio is chilling. It’s not the sound of a stumble. It’s the sound of someone striking a child repeatedly."
Who Was Left Behind
The infant’s mother and the third adult were both interviewed and released without charges as of August 12, 2025. Their whereabouts remain undisclosed. Police confirmed they were not present during the fatal incident, but questions linger. Why did they leave? Did they know what was coming? The investigation remains open, and detectives say they’re still evaluating whether those individuals could face charges for failure to protect or child endangerment.The Tulsa Police Department’s Homicide Unit, under Commander Captain Jeffrey Todd, worked alongside the Cyber Crimes Unit to analyze the digital evidence. The footage was enhanced, audio frequencies isolated, and timestamps cross-referenced with hospital logs. The result? A timeline that left no room for doubt. The injuries occurred between 3:58 a.m. and 4:10 a.m. — the window when Williams was alone with the child.
Legal Action Moves Fast
By 10:23 a.m. on August 12, 2025, Williams was in custody. He was taken into arrest without incident at the Eagle Pointe complex and transported to the Tulsa County Jail, where he was assigned inmate number TP20250812001. The Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, filed formal charges of first-degree murder under Oklahoma Statute 21 O.S. § 701.7 — the same statute used in the most brutal, premeditated killings in the state.What makes this case particularly disturbing is the victim’s age. One month old. Defenseless. The medical examiner’s report, still under review, is expected to confirm that the skull fractures alone would have been fatal even without the other injuries. In Oklahoma, infanticide by a parent carries the harshest penalties — life without parole, or even death. But prosecutors say they’re focused on justice, not just punishment. "This isn’t about revenge," said a spokesperson for the DA’s office. "It’s about accountability for the most vulnerable among us."
What Happens Next
Williams has not yet been arraigned. Bond has not been set. The court schedule remains confidential pending a preliminary hearing, which could take weeks. His public defender, if appointed, will likely challenge the audio evidence — arguing it’s ambiguous, or that the thuds could be furniture falling. But experts say that’s a long shot. The pattern matches the injuries too precisely. And the timing? Too perfect.The case has already sparked outrage in Tulsa’s community. Neighbors who heard the noises described them as "like a sack of bricks hitting the floor." One resident, who declined to be named, said: "I thought it was the apartment above. I didn’t think… I just didn’t think it was a baby."
A Pattern in Plain Sight
This isn’t an isolated tragedy. According to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, 17 infants under six months died from abuse or neglect in the state between 2020 and 2024. Nearly half of those cases involved fathers or male partners. And in over 60% of those deaths, the child had been seen by medical professionals in the weeks before — but no one connected the dots."We see these patterns over and over," said Dr. Elena Ruiz, a pediatric forensic specialist at Saint Francis. "The injuries are classic. The excuses are always the same. The silence from bystanders? That’s the real tragedy."
For now, the community waits. The court dates are pending. The evidence is locked away. But one thing is certain: Tyrice Williams will face trial. And when he does, the audio from that doorbell camera will be played again and again — not just as proof, but as a warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the mother not charged if she was present in the apartment?
The Tulsa Police Department confirmed the infant’s mother was interviewed and released without charges as of August 12, 2025. While she was present earlier that night, digital evidence shows she and a third person left the apartment before the fatal incident occurred. Prosecutors are still evaluating whether she could face charges for failure to protect, but without proof she witnessed or enabled the abuse, current charges aren’t warranted. The investigation remains open.
What does first-degree murder mean in Oklahoma for a child abuse case?
Under Oklahoma Statute 21 O.S. § 701.7, first-degree murder requires intent to cause death or extreme indifference to human life. In child abuse cases, prosecutors can prove this through the nature and number of injuries — especially when they’re inconsistent with accidental explanations. The seven distinct trauma points in this case suggest repeated, intentional force, which meets the legal threshold for first-degree, even without a premeditated plan.
How common are cases like this in Tulsa or Oklahoma?
Between 2020 and 2024, Oklahoma recorded 17 infant deaths from abuse or neglect, with nearly half involving male caregivers. Tulsa County averages two to three infant homicide investigations annually. Most go unreported until a child is brought to the hospital in critical condition. This case stands out because of the digital evidence — most similar cases rely on witness testimony or medical opinion alone.
Could the third person in the apartment be charged later?
Yes. While that individual was interviewed and released, police have not closed the case. If investigators uncover evidence that the third person witnessed the abuse, encouraged it, or helped conceal it, they could be charged with accessory to murder or child endangerment. Their identity remains undisclosed, but authorities say they’re actively pursuing all leads related to their presence in the apartment that night.
What role did the doorbell camera play in securing the arrest?
The doorbell camera provided the only objective timeline. It showed Williams entering the apartment alone after others left, and the audio captured seven distinct impacts matching the infant’s injuries. Without this evidence, Williams’ claim of being pushed down the stairs might have been plausible. The camera turned a hearsay case into an undeniable forensic record — the kind prosecutors rarely get in infant abuse cases.
What’s the next step in the legal process?
Williams will appear before a judge for an arraignment, where he’ll enter a plea. A preliminary hearing will follow to determine if there’s enough evidence for trial. If the case proceeds, it could take six to twelve months to reach court. The Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office has indicated they’ll seek the maximum penalty. The infant’s death certificate lists homicide as the cause of death — a crucial legal distinction that strengthens the prosecution’s case.