Menasha Man Pleads “Not Guilty” in Death of Child

A man charged with the death of an 18-month old boy in a
Menasha apartment fire says he is “not guilty”. 29-year old Vernon Williams
faces a count of child neglect resulting in death. 

Prosecutors say Williams was
asleep and drunk when he was supposed to be watching three young children last
September – and one of them started a fire while playing with a lighter. 

According to the criminal complaint, the children couldn’t wake him up – so
they ran to a neighbor for help. Williams suffered burns while trying to rescue
the baby. A test later showed his blood-alcohol level was nearly .26, which is
more than three times the legal limit to drive. 

No trial date has been set.
Williams faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.