Milwaukee police officer charged with physical abuse of a child, strangulation and suffocation

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — 30-year-old Milwaukee police officer Frank Williams is being charged with a count of physical abuse of a child, and a count of strangulation and suffocation, according to a criminal complaint. According to police, he was placed on full suspension. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, a City of Milwaukee Police sergeant responded to the emergency room of a children’s hospital in response to a child abuse complaint. The 7-year-old female, a relative of Williams, disclosed that he “whooped” her with a belt, resulting in bruising in her thigh. The sergeant observed 7-8 distinct bruises on the child’s thigh, according to the complaint. 

In interviews on Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Racine Child Advocacy Center, the 7-year-old said he hit her with a belt multiple times and then choked her because she wouldn’t take a nap. She said she was coughing because she could not breathe. She reported that this was not the first time he choked her.

The 7-year-old said she had bruises on her legs and arms from being struck by Williams during the interviews. She rolled up her sleeve to show a long bruise on her forearm, according to the complaint.  The 7-year-old also said that William’s struck her 4-year-old brother. She said she could hear her brother crying, as Williams struck him repeatedly with a belt. 

If convicted, Williams may be fined up to $10,000, imprisoned for up to 6 years, or both.