Ohio – In a harrowing case of child abuse that shocked Ohio residents, three adults — including the child’s own mother — have been convicted for their roles in a violent attack in which a handcuffed 6-year-old boy was mauled by a dog. The incident occurred at a home as a form of corporal punishment and left the boy with serious injuries that required emergency medical treatment and an airlift to the hospital.
On the evening of Saturday, around 5 p.m., deputies from the sheriff’s office were summoned to a residence after receiving reports of a young boy being bitten by a pit bull. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that the child had sustained serious injuries to his neck and ear. Due to the severity of the injuries, the boy required airlift transportation to a hospital for immediate medical care.
The investigation quickly turned towards the household members, including the boy’s mother, 28-year-old A. Williams, 28; her boyfriend, 29-year-old T. Brown, 29; and 47-year-old R. Michalski, the owner of the home and the dog. Initial findings suggested that the mother and her boyfriend had handcuffed the young boy both at his hands and feet, subsequently provoking the dog to attack him as a punitive measure. Further investigation by the deputies led to the discovery of Michalski hiding in an upstairs crawl space, along with the dog involved in the attack. The animal was later confiscated by animal control officers and was deemed “vicious” following an evaluation.
Evidence collected from the home supported the allegations of child endangerment, and all three individuals were taken into custody. They faced charges of endangering children through administering corporal punishment in a manner that creates a substantial risk of physical harm. A statement from the prosecutor’s office noted that the attack was not an accident but rather a calculated act of cruelty. Prosecutors said the adults worked together to punish the child in a method that exposed him to prolonged pain and “substantial risk of serious harm.”
Michalski was convicted by a jury following a four-day trial. He was found guilty of two counts of complicity to commit endangering children and one count of tampering with evidence — all felonies. The jury found him not guilty on charges of kidnapping, possessing criminal tools, and an additional count of child endangerment. The child’s mother, Williams, pleaded guilty last month to one count of kidnapping and four counts of endangering children, while her boyfriend, Brown, admitted guilt in April to three counts of complicity in commission of a felony (one for kidnapping and two for endangering children), as well as one count of obstructing justice.
While both the 6-year-old boy and his sister have since been placed under the care of a legal guardian who is ensuring their safety and well-being, the case has continued to spark public outrage due to its shocking details. Michalski faces up to nine years in prison and will appear for sentencing on July 21, 2025. Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on June 30, and Brown will be sentenced on July 14. Both Williams and Brown could face up to 40 years in prison for their roles in the abuse and attempted cover-up.
