For over two decades, a tiny gravestone in Georgia marked a boy with no name. Now, finally, the truth has emerged from the shadows. This is the heartbreaking and powerful story of William DaShawn Hamilton—a child long silenced, but now remembered.
A Nameless Grave in Georgia
On a gray February day in 1999, DeKalb County authorities stumbled upon a tragic discovery—a young child’s remains hidden in the woods, barely traceable by time. The body belonged to a boy believed to be between five and seven years old. Dressed in a plaid shirt and red jeans, he wore Timberland boots—an oddly distinct detail that would stick in the minds of investigators and haunt them for years.
No matching missing persons report was found, and there were no school records or families that came forward.
For years, he was known only by a case number and a cold trail.
The Woman Who Wouldn’t Forget
But not everyone moved on. Ava, a longtime friend of William’s mother, never gave up hope. She had cared for him almost daily in Charlotte, North Carolina. She called him brilliant, articulate, and warm. Her memories painted the picture of a boy filled with life and curiosity, robbed of a future.
In December 1998, William vanished. His mother, Teresa Ann Bailey Black, claimed she was moving to Atlanta to be with family. She returned months later—alone.
Ava pressed for answers, but they never came. So she began her own search.
A Long Hunt Fueled by Hope
Ava scoured shelters, police departments, and online databases. Days became years. William’s face never faded from her memory. Then, in 2020, something stopped her cold: a digital facial reconstruction on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s website. The rendering of an unidentified child found in Georgia looked too familiar to ignore.
“That’s him,” she said. Her heart knew what logic resisted.
She contacted authorities, reigniting a case buried by time.
Uncovering William’s Identity
Thanks to DNA testing and forensic advancement, authorities confirmed the boy’s identity: William DaShawn Hamilton.
In June 2022, justice knocked on Teresa Black’s door. A grand jury in DeKalb County indicted her on multiple charges, including two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, child cruelty, and concealing a death.
According to the charges, Black allegedly gave William diphenhydramine and acetaminophen, then struck him and denied him medical care. She left his body in the woods, where nature slowly erased evidence—until science and perseverance brought it back.
A Journalist’s Lifelong Dedication
At the heart of public awareness was journalist Angeline Hartmann, whose relentless dedication kept William’s case alive. From TV to podcasts, she told his story repeatedly, hoping it would reach the right ears. When Ava came forward, it was the moment Hartmann had fought for—validation that this little boy mattered.
More Than Just a Case
What makes this story resonate so deeply is the absence that followed William’s death. There were no protests. No media blitz. No Amber Alerts. It was as if the world had forgotten he ever lived.
But he was remembered. Ava remembered. Hartmann remembered. And now, so do we.
Seeking Justice in the Courtroom
William’s mother, who walked free for more than two decades, now sits in DeKalb County Jail awaiting trial. The legal system moves slowly, but for William’s supporters, this is a beginning—a long-overdue step toward justice.
Prosecutors say William’s remains, so small they could fit in a shoebox, still haunt them. But now they fight with purpose.
Closure, Bittersweet and Heavy
For Ava, the moment brought closure and fresh grief.
“I’m glad he’s at peace,” she said. “But I’m heartbroken, too. He could’ve been anything.”
She hopes to bring his ashes home—home to the arms that never stopped reaching for him.
The Power of Relentless Love
In the end, this story is not just about tragedy. It’s about relentless love. About never giving up. About two women—one seeking truth, one demanding justice—whose paths crossed to give a boy back his name, and his voice.
Help If You Can
If you know anything about the life of William DaShawn Hamilton or his mother, Teresa Ann Bailey Black, the DeKalb County DA’s office is still accepting tips. Call the cold case line at (404) 371-2444.
Because William was more than a cold case.
He was a little boy who deserved to be found.