Woman appears in court to face charges in connection with 2-year-old’s death

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - The great aunt of a two-year-old girl says her family is devastated by the death of the child who court records say was exposed to drugs.

Ah'Layla Bradley died in July but Cincinnati Police just arrested 21-year-old Bethoney Miller-Williams Thursday.

Miller-Williams appeared in court Friday to face charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.

According to the family, Ah'Layla is Miller-Williams daughter.

"She loved her mom the most, like the person who was supposed to protect her," said Ah'Layla's great aunt Amy Helton.

Miller-Williams is being held at the Hamilton County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

"Bethoney, she had all of the resources set up for her so she would not be on this path and somehow someway steered off," said Helton.

In July, Cincinnati Police say they were called to a home on Bracken Woods Lane in Westwood for an unresponsive child.

Ah'Layla was rushed to Cincinnati Children's Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Court records show Ah'Layla was exposed to fentanyl and xylazine, resulting in her death.

Helton says other adults were around at the time.

"Everybody's time frame matches up, but everybody's stories are inconsistent," Helton said.

Helton says while she's heard multiple different stories about what happened she says what remains consistent is there was a delay in getting Ah'Layla medical care.

Helton says her niece was dead for hours before first responders were called.

"No amount of prison time is ever going to bring Lay back and at the end she's the one that's going to live with the guilt of this for the rest of her life. I just hope she gets the treatment she needs," Helton said.

Helton is due back in court in 10 days.