31-year-old woman accused of killing 4-year-old niece

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — Vanity Rubystine Williams, 31, was charged this week in Cabarrus County with first-degree murder and felony child abuse, according to the Kannapolis Police Department.

On Tuesday shortly before midnight, officers were called to the 1600 block of Old Rivers Road about the girl’s death.

The girl, Stormy, was staying with Williams, who was her aunt, since October.

Two days later, after the preliminary autopsy, Williams was charged with first-degree murder in the death of her niece. Stormy’s family said she died of blunt-force trauma.

The news devastated the little girl’s family.

Her grandmother, Tia Sanders, told Channel 9 she’s heartbroken that she won’t be able to see her grow up.

“I’m coping, but it’s hurting so bad that it’s not even words that can describe the fact that I will never get to see my granddaughter get to kindergarten,” Sanders said. “I won’t get to see her have another birthday. I won’t get to see her do anything else, hear her laugh, hear her joke ... nothing.”

Sanders said that she is trying to understand how Willams could have allegedly taken Stormy’s life.

“I had a relationship with Vanity growing up as a child. She would come to the house because I had just had my son, Stormy’s dad,” Sanders said.

She said she thought the excuse Williams gave to investigators didn’t add up.

“I guess she was running, and she hit her eye on a table,” Sanders recalled.

Police were then told that Stormy was woozy.

“Even if you didn’t do it or cause it or whatever the case may be, you’re going to call the police,” Sanders said. “You have a car; you’re going to take her to the hospital. You went upstairs and laid down like you didn’t care. So that makes me feel like you never cared about her.”

Sanders said she forgave Williams, but she also wants justice for her granddaughter.

“Whatever they want to do to her, I pray they do it because her life was taken. So why should you be out here doing whatever?” Sanders said.

Williams was booked into jail and is under no bond for the murder charge. She is scheduled to be in court on Monday.

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This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.

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