First Degree Murder – Cody Couple Charged With Toddler’s Death

Moshe Williams and Carolyn Aune could face life in prison or even the death penalty if convicted of the death of two-year-old Paisleigh Williams.

The Park County Attorney’s Office filed the first-degree murder charge on the morning of Monday, April 12. The bond for both adults is unchanged, staying at $1 million each.

Courtesy Park County Sheriff’s Office

Courtesy Park County Sheriff’s Office

Williams and Aune were arrested on March 31, initially charged with felony aggravated child abuse.

Earlier – on March 27 – the couple brought Paisleigh Williams into the Cody Regional Health emergency room with severe injuries. Attending medical staff alerted the Cody Police Department of possible child abuse.

Paisleigh Williams passed away in a Denver-area hospital after being taken off life support. She was two years old.

Wyoming Statutes Title 6. Crimes and Offenses on first-degree murder states “Whoever purposely and with premeditated malice, or in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, any sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, arson, robbery, burglary, escape, resisting arrest, kidnapping or abuse of a child under the age of sixteen (16) years, kills any human being is guilty of murder in the first degree.”

In Wyoming, a first-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty.

Williams and Aune remain incarcerated at the Park County Detention Center, pending trial.

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise $10,000 for Paisleigh William’s funeral expenses.

This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.