Trial Date Set for Mother Charged with 1999 Murder of Son in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – After more than two decades, a trial date has finally been set for a mother accused of murdering her 6-year-old son in DeKalb County in 1999. The case shocked the community when the boy’s decomposed body was discovered in a wooded area in Decatur.

In February 1999, police stumbled upon the remains of a young boy at the intersection of Clifton Springs Road and Clifton Church Road. Despite extensive efforts, authorities were unable to identify the child due to the advanced state of decomposition. The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office estimated that the boy had been deceased for three to six months before being found.

However, the boy’s identity remained a mystery until recently, when a breakthrough in the case occurred in 2022. The victim was finally identified as William DaShawn Hamilton, and his mother, Teresa Ann Bailey Black, was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses related to his death.

Teresa Ann Bailey Black now faces two counts of felony murder, two counts of cruelty to children, aggravated assault, and concealing the death of another. The arrest came after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a tip from someone familiar with Hamilton and Black during the 1990s, prompting them to assist investigators in the case.

The Mysterious Disappearance

According to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, Teresa Ann Bailey Black, then known as Bailey, was residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her son and another family member. In December 1998, she abruptly withdrew William from school and relocated to Atlanta without any apparent reason.

Black returned to Charlotte in late 1999, but her son was nowhere to be found. She provided conflicting accounts of William’s whereabouts during that period, raising suspicions among authorities. The unsettling circumstances surrounding the case left investigators determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to the young victim.

The Long-Awaited Trial

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Stacey Hydrick has scheduled the trial to commence on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, with jury selection. This trial marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for William DaShawn Hamilton, whose life was tragically cut short more than two decades ago.

The trial will provide an opportunity to present evidence and testimonies that will shed light on the events leading to the young boy’s untimely demise. The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office, together with law enforcement agencies and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, remains committed to seeking justice for William and ensuring that his memory is honored.

As the trial approaches, the community awaits the proceedings with bated breath, hoping for closure and answers to a case that has haunted DeKalb County for over two decades.

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