William Woodson, a 26-year-old resident of Southeast Washington, D.C., was indicted by a D.C. Superior Court grand jury. He faces charges of first-degree child cruelty and assault with significant bodily injury against a minor. The charges relate to an incident involving the alleged assault of a two-year-old child at the Mount Vernon Square metro station. The indictment also includes another felony charge stemming from conduct toward a separate adult on the same day.
The allegations were announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. Woodson is currently detained while his case remains pending.
According to the evidence presented in police affidavits, the incident occurred on July 24, 2023, at around 11:20 a.m. The victim's mother was descending the escalator at the metro station when the defendant allegedly kicked the child, who then fell, sustaining injuries to the head and face. After the incident, Woodson reportedly left the station, but the child's mother followed and called 911, providing information that led police to detain Woodson nearby.
Emergency medical personnel responded, finding the child bleeding from the head and recommending immediate transport to Children's Hospital. On route, the child lost consciousness and was diagnosed with a mild concussion after a 12-hour hospitalization.
The Metropolitan Police Department and the Metropolitan Transit Police Department are conducting the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Ballou is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that an indictment is an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
