13-month-old child dies after given ZzzQuil sleep aid; 2 women charged with murder, police say

PEORIA, Ill. (WEEK/Gray News) - Two women in Illinois are facing murder charges for allegedly giving a child an adult sleep aid before the baby died.

A Peoria County grand jury indicted 26-year-old Tasheaunna Williams and 27-year-old Nausicca Thomas on first-degree murder charges in the death of a 13-month-old child.

Authorities also charged the two women with aggravated battery.

Authorities say Tasheaunna Williams (left) and Nausicca Thomas (right) are charged with... — Authorities say Tasheaunna Williams (left) and Nausicca Thomas (right) are charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 13-month-old baby last December.(Peoria County Sheriff's Office)

Police said they were initially called to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center on Dec. 19, 2024, for an unresponsive infant.

The child, later identified as Hezekiah Williams, died at the hospital on Dec. 27, 2024.

Authorities said the two women gave an “excessive” dose of the over-the-counter sleep aid to Hezekiah.

According to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office, Tasheaunna Williams and Thomas were arrested on Jan. 10 but were not initially charged with murder because toxicology tests were pending.

Prosecutors have since filed a motion requesting the women remain in jail until their trials.

Tasheaunna Williams and Thomas have their arraignment scheduled for Feb. 27.