An Ohio mother has been sentenced to nearly three decades behind bars after she handcuffed her 6-year-old son and allowed a pit bull to viciously attack him—an act prosecutors called one of the most horrifying cases of child abuse they’ve seen.
Angelina Williams, 28, was convicted this week in Ashland County for her role in the brutal assault, in which her son was left tied up and helpless as a large pit bull mauled him. Prosecutors say Williams not only allowed the attack, but also recorded it and bragged about it on Snapchat.
Judge Dave Stimpert handed down the maximum sentence—28½ years in state prison—saying the disturbing level of cruelty in the case was beyond comprehension.
“Used Him Like a Chew Toy”
The court heard how Williams, along with two accomplices, forced her children to pick up dog feces in a yard. When they refused, she and the others allegedly handcuffed the children’s wrists and ankles and tied them to chairs.
Williams’ son, Damian, was left restrained and unable to defend himself when a pit bull owned by one of the co-defendants attacked, leaving him with horrifying injuries. Prosecutors said the dog tried to “rip out his throat.”
“Calling it a chew toy doesn’t even do it justice,” the judge said. “This dog clamped down on this child’s neck with enough force to leave deep bruising and gaping wounds. It’s something no child should ever experience.”
Co-Defendants Also Convicted
Williams pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges including kidnapping and child endangerment. Her co-defendants—Robert Michalski Jr., the dog’s owner, and Taylor Marvin-Brown, identified as her partner—have also been convicted. They are scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
Michalski was found guilty of complicity to commit child endangerment and tampering with evidence. Marvin-Brown pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and multiple counts of complicity.
“She Bragged About It”
Prosecutors said Williams displayed shocking indifference to her child’s suffering—sharing photos of the children restrained on Snapchat and laughing about the situation.
“She showed not just a willingness to abuse, but pride in it,” Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Metcalf told the court. “This wasn’t a mistake. This was deliberate, repeated, and cruel.”
He noted that Williams did not even have legal custody of her children, who were only visiting her for two weeks when the incident occurred.
“A Mother Who Showed No Mercy”
During sentencing, Judge Stimpert told Williams bluntly: “I don’t know any mother who would think handcuffing her child is a good idea—let alone sharing pictures of it online. And yet, that’s exactly what you did.”
He added that even seasoned officers were visibly shaken when testifying about the case, calling it one of the most disturbing cases he’d encountered in his judicial career.
Williams, who became emotional during her statement, admitted her actions would “haunt her forever,” but prosecutors insisted her crimes warranted the full sentence.
Children Now Safe
Both the 6-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister have since recovered from their injuries and are now in the care of a legal guardian.
“They are safe now,” Metcalf said, “and finally receiving the protection and care they were denied during their time with their mother.”
The sentencing brings some measure of justice—but not closure—for a case that left an entire community shaken.
