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The streets of Milwaukee are buzzing after the wild abduction of 7-year-old Jamal White turned out to be way more than just a random kidnapping. At first glance, it looked like a straight-up horror storyguns, a snatched child, and a car speeding off. But now, prosecutors are saying the whole thing was a botched robbery-turned-hostage situation with some seriously twisted layers.
According to court filings, the alleged ringleader, Corey Williams, 25, told police this wasnt just some spontaneous crime. Williams said he and two others originally set out to rob Jamal’s motherwho he described as a “well-known drug dealer” he had seen flashing cash and bricks of drugs on FaceTime. The plan was reportedly to pull up to her spot, guns drawn, and hit a lick for cash and drugs. But when she didnt show up at the crib, Williams says they pivoted and targeted Jamals father instead. Thats when everything spiraled into a full-blown kidnapping. Williams later admitted to demanding $100K and jewelry from the mother in exchange for the boys safe return.
As this wild case unfolds, police have confirmed that Jamals mother, Shavon Williams, has also been arrested. While the details around why she was taken into custody remain unclear, her street reputation is coming into sharper focus. Though authorities havent released her official chargesor even confirmed if theyre tied to the kidnapping or separate alleged criminal activityher name being in the mix has only added fuel to the internet frenzy. So far, no charges related to her arrest have been filed publicly.
The most gut-wrenching part of this story? The voice of little Jamal himself. According to the criminal complaint, the child said a man grabbed him by the back of his shirt while he was riding his bike and tossed him into a car with three unknown people. Once inside the house where police later found him, Jamal reportedly overheard a phone call between the driverCorey Williamsand his mom. Jamal told police that he heard his mom say she was coming to get him, but she never did. Furthermore, during a police interview, the 7-year-old reportedly teared up over her not showing up.
Once Corey and his crew learned of the Amber Alert, the others involved left Jamal at Williams’ house. Corey admitted that when police arrived, he left Jamal in a bedroom while he hid in the attic of the duplex. Additionally, Corey was found with a pill, which tested positive for methamphetamine, in his pocket.
Corey Williams is now facing multiple serious charges, including kidnapping and taking hostages. A 14-year-old also believed to be involved was arrested, and the hunt for the other suspect(s) continues. Williams was expected to make his first court appearance on July 17.
