William Lorenzo Page Knocks Toddler Unconscious, Leaves Her Outside to Freeze to Death

William Lorenzo Page, 23, of Braddock, Penn. was arrested on charges of criminal homicide, kidnapping, false reports to police, and assault for knocking his daughter unconscious then leaving her outside in subfreezing temperatures. Nyia Miangel Page, 23-months-old, was found dead close to her home. An autopsy determined Nyia died of hypothermia.

Police believe that it was too difficult for the toddler to reach the wooded knoll where her body was found, and suspect foul play. Tiny footprints in the snow suggest that she wandered around before she died. Also, a witness saw Page enter his house from the direction where his daughter was found.

Page said he found Nyia awake and playing in the hallway. He got mad when she wouldn’t go back to bed. So instead of putting her back in her room like any normal parent, he hit her into unconsciousness, then took her outside wrapped in a blanket and left her. Lydia was barefoot and wearing only a sweater and diaper when she disappeared.

Nyia’s family reported her missing Saturday. Search parties swept the area in 20-degree temperatures for almost two days before finding the body.

 

there
she was found
       blossoming
under the first bright
fingers of dawn
sleeping
        forever
as a curled bud
blue and still
under an early frost

they followed her steps
from the train tracks
where she'd been left
        to die

her skull
fractured
by the man
she worshipped
        as father
her small and
bare feet
rose from the ground
and led her to
a place of joy
        and sweet memory

there
by the swings
she laid down
facing the deep blue
        sky
over pittsburgh
deep in january

a breath in

a breath out

        breath in

         breath out

     then
         stillness

when the father was taken
all he told was:
"she wouldn't stop
        crying..."

and they wonder
why
i hold little value
on the lives
        of men