JSO: Mother of 5-year-old Taylor Williams arrested on child neglect charges, giving false information to investigators

Jacksonville, FL — UPDATE: 11/12/19 6:00 PM:

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says the mother of missing 5-year-old Taylor Williams has been arrested on felony charges of child neglect and giving false information to investigators.

JSO Sheriff Mike Williams says 27-year-old Brianna Williams has been absentee booked into jail, after being admitted to a local hospital following an apparent overdose. He says Brianna Williams is currently in serious condition.

As for the human remains found in Alabama, Sheriff Williams says early indications are that this may be Taylor Williams, but an exact identification will require further forensic analysis.

State Attorney Melissa Nelson says despite the arrest, this investigation is far from over.

"Obviously, at this time, many questions still loom and our office's work is just beginning. The information we have is, frankly, staggering and the legal implications complicated. This will require the systematic investigation of every piece of information," says Nelson.

When asked whether any other people were involved in this case, JSO says they will continue to investigate every lead. Currently, police say no one else is in custody.

Police are also not yet giving any information on how long that they believe Taylor Williams has been missing.

If you have information on this case, you are still urged to reach out to the sheriff's office.

WATCH LIVE: JSO update on missing 5-year-old Taylor Wiliams' case after remains were found in Alabama during search. Sources say the missing girl's mother is in the hospital. https://bit.ly/2rwwXvl

Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, November 12, 2019

UPDATE: 11/12/19 1:00 PM:

The Demopolis Police Department in Alabama says human remains have been uncovered in a wooded area between the cities of Linden and Demopolis.

This area has been the focus of the search in recent days for missing 5-year-old Taylor Williams. Demopolis police say victim identification on these remains is pending at this time.

Demopolis police say the search effort in that area was a massive operation and included both Alabama agencies and multiple units out of Jacksonville, including the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, as well as the State Attorney's Office.

Demopolis police say JSO will await confirmation as forensics tests are completed. It adds that operational efforts will now shift to secure and process the evidence at the scene.

Taylor Williams was first reported missing on November 6th. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office named her mother, Brianna Williams, a person of interest during a press conference on Monday.

ALABAMA SEARCH UPDATE DEMOPOLIS, AL (November, 12, 2019) - The multi-agency investigative team involved in the search...

Posted by Demopolis Police Department on Tuesday, November 12, 2019

UPDATE 11/12/19 10:00 AM: 

Action News Jax Reporter Bridgette Matter reports from Demopolis, Alabama, where JSO and JFRD crews have gathered in the search.

UPDATE 11/11/19 2:00 PM:   

Jacksonville Police now consider the mother of missing 5-year-old Taylor Williams a person of interest in the case as the search for the missing girl is expanding. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams says Taylor’s mother Brianna still isn’t cooperating in the investigation and she hasn’t talked to police since last Wednesday.

“We still need her cooperation in our efforts.” Sheriff Williams says.

JSO also is asking for some different information in their search. Police say if you’ve seen Taylor and her mother Brianna together anywhere between Jacksonville and Alabama in the last two weeks to give them a call. They believe Brianna was driving her 2017 Black Honda Accord that had tinted windows and black rims.

Search efforts are also moving to Alabama. Sheriff Williams says resources from JSO and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue are heading to the Demopolis area in the western part of the state to help with search efforts there.

Sheriff Williams is still hopeful they will find Taylor alive.

Sheriff names mother a person of interest in search of Taylor Williams -- asking for anyone who has seen Brianna Williams with Taylor in her black Accord in the last two weeks. MORE: https://bit.ly/2Czu1jY

Posted by Action News Jax on Monday, November 11, 2019

UPDATE: 11/7/19 4:00 PM:

As the search continues for missing 5-year-old Taylor Williams, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says more than 300 of their officers have responded to help, knocking on more than 600 doors in the last 30 hours, in hopes of getting any information.

Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams says Taylor's mother, Brianna Williams, was initially cooperating with the investigation, but since then he says she has stopped cooperating.

Sheriff Williams says Brianna Williams stopped cooperating, when detectives were trying to talk with her about some 'inconsistencies' in her statement.  He did not elaborate on what those included.

"Here's what we know: We know that Brianna Williams was the last person to see Taylor and we need for her to cooperate with us in this investigation. So, we remain hopeful that we will find Taylor. We're not going to stop in our efforts to locate her," says Sheriff Williams.

Sheriff Williams says the sheriff's office has received hundreds of tips from the community in the search for Taylor, but they specifically want anyone that has seen Brianna and Taylor Williams together in Jacksonville within the last 6 months to reach out.

He also confirmed that JSO is working with law enforcement in Alabama, but would not comment on the nature of that.

Without any new information, Sheriff Williams says search efforts in the Brentwood area and the Southside area will be winding down, but not stopping.

At this time, he says Taylor's mother is not facing any charges and is not in custody.

UPDATE 11/7/19 11:00 AM: Search efforts continue after Taylor Rose Williams was reported missing by her mother in their Brentwood home on the northside. The 5-year-old is the subject of statewide AMBER Alert.

Taylor was last seen in the area of the 600 Block of Ivy Street. She was last seen wearing purple and pink short-sleeve pajamas. Taylor is 3 feet tall and 50 lbs. She has brown eyes and black hair.  If you see her, call 911 or the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500.

UPDATE 11/6/19 6:00 PM:  The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says it plans to search through the night for missing 5-year-old Taylor Rose Williams, who is at the center of an AMBER Alert.

Police say their search is focused on two locations, including Williams’ home in Brentwood where her mother says she was last seen, as well as an apartment complex on Southside Boulevard where they used to live.

“We’re hoping she’s not alone. We hope that if she is with a family member or a friend, we’re begging, we’re asking that you would reach out to us at (904) 630- 0500, 911. Just give us a call and let us know that Taylor is safe,” said JSO Chief T.K. Waters, during a 5:15 PM press conference on Wednesday.

JSO says at this point in time, they have nearly 200 of their officers involved in the search with help from the FDLE, the FBI, mounted units, drone units, and their air unit.

Police say Williams’ mother is cooperating with the investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is searching for 5-year-old Taylor Rose Williams in the Brentwood area on the northside.  Taylor was reported missing from a home on Ivy Street. She was wearing a purple shirt and pink pajama pants and no shoes.

According to police, Taylor was last seen in her home around Midnight. But she was not found in her room this morning and the back door was unlocked.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued an AMBER Alert just past 11 am.  To activate an AMBER alert the following five (5) criteria must be met:

-The child must be under 18 years of age.

-There must be a clear indication of an abduction.

-The law enforcement agency's preliminary investigation must conclude that the child's life is in danger.

-There must be a detailed description of child, abductor and/or vehicle to broadcast to the public.

-The activation must be recommended by the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.

Call 904-630-0500 immediately with information about Taylor Rose Williams. This is a developing story, refresh for updates.

mobile apps

Everything you love about wokv.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!