Braddock Father Accused Of Murdering Daughter

The father of a toddler who died of exposure purposely took the girl outside and left her in subfreezing temperatures after knocking her unconscious because he was angry, police said.

On Saturday morning, 23-month-old Nyia Page was reported missing around 7:30 a.m.

Now the victim's 23-year-old father is charged in the toddler's death.

William Page told police he woke up early Saturday and found the girl awake and playing near a mirror in the hallway. He said he got mad when the girl would not go back to bed so he hit her so hard she hit her head and was unconscious, according to a criminal complaint.

Page then took the girl outside wrapped in a blanket and left her, but said she was still breathing, police said. The girl's body was found Sunday in a different location than where Page told police he left her. Police said child-sized footprints in the snow suggest the girl got up and wandered around before she died.

The toddler was barefoot and wearing only a sweater and a diaper when she disappeared. The site where she was found was about a 10-minute walk from her home, a trek that would have included climbing 17 snowy steps up to a wooded knoll, police said.

Police, volunteers, emergency crews and bloodhounds searched in 20-degree temperatures throughout the day Saturday. The toddler's body was found shortly after 3 p.m. Sunday in a wooded area of Rankin.

Investigators gave polygraph exams to three men who were at the house Saturday -- including Page, the girl's grandfather and a boyfriend of her grandmother.

As a result of information gathered, Page was charged Sunday with sexually abusing another child.

Page was arraigned early Thursday morning in connection with his daughter’s death. He is charged with criminal homicide, kidnapping, giving false reports to law enforcement and simple assault.

A hearing for Page is scheduled for Feb. 14.

Previous Stories: February 8, 2007: Father Charged With Braddock Toddler's Death February 5, 2007: Braddock Toddler's Death Ruled Homicide February 4, 2007: Missing Braddock Toddler's Body Found February 4, 2007: Amber Alert Continues For Braddock Toddler February 3, 2007: Amber Alert: Braddock Baby Taken