A father in Philadelphia was charged with several crimes after he allegedly “made up” a home invasion to explain the death of his 4-year-old son.
Edward Williams, 28, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, making a false report, and possession of an instrument of crime after police say he tried to cover up the accidental death of his young son.
Early Thursday morning, Williams called the police and reported an armed home invasion. When police arrived, they found Williams holding his 3-year-old son on his lap and discovered the 4-year-old unresponsive in his bedroom with a gunshot wound. The 4-year-old was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
As authorities investigated the case throughout the day, they claimed to have found evidence that Williams “made up” the home invasion. The investigators believe that the 4-year-old had found a loaded gun and began to play with the weapon. The child accidentally pulled the trigger, killing himself.
Authorities said the 3-year-old child was with the 4-year-old when the gun fired. Williams was asleep when the incident occurred. Police reported that Williams had seven prior arrests and could not legally possess a firearm, which is why they believe he made up the home invasion story.
“Our investigation revealed that a home invasion did not, in fact, occur. We believe Mr. Williams made that up, probably due to the fact that he had several prior arrests,” Philadelphia police Capt. Jason Smith said in a press conference on Thursday night. “He’s not to have possessed a firearm. Therefore, he attempted to conceal the circumstances.”
Williams was held on $2 million bail.
