Christopher Butler faces a second-degree murder charge after Paris Williams died from blunt force injuries.
PORT ALLEN, La. — A man accused in the death of 7-year-old Paris Williams surrendered Monday in West Baton Rouge Parish, days after police said the Addis girl suffered fatal injuries during a domestic incident.
Christopher Butler faces one count of second-degree murder and two counts of felony domestic abuse battery with child endangerment. His surrender moved the case into its next stage after Addis police searched for him following the July 1 incident at MyHand Trailer Park on Sixth Street.
Police Chief Jason Langlois said officers were called to the trailer park at 9:47 p.m. Wednesday after a report that Paris was unresponsive. CPR was already underway when officers arrived. Paris was taken to Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, where she was later pronounced dead. The West Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office identified the child and ruled her death a homicide after finding multiple blunt force injuries.
Detectives said an alleged domestic violence incident happened inside the home involving Butler and Paris’ mother, Breyonne D. Dorsey. During the altercation, police said furniture was overturned and Paris was injured. Officials have not released a full account of how the injuries happened, and the investigation remains active. Butler, while being taken into jail in handcuffs, told WAFB Chief Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto that he loved Paris like his own and denied killing her.
An I-TEAM review found Butler had 10 prior convictions dating to 2010. The convictions included aggravated flight, illegal use of a weapon, felony theft, simple assault, attempted possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and attempted possession of a controlled substance. Records reviewed in the report showed Butler was sentenced in those cases, served time in some of them and later was released.
Dorsey, 30, of Addis, also is in custody. Police said she was booked on two counts of felony domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, one count of principal to second-degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice. Sources said her bond was set at $1 million. Dorsey has one prior conviction from three years ago for bringing drugs into a jail.
Langlois said the decision to arrest Dorsey was based on the facts and evidence gathered by investigators. “I know it’s unfortunate that a lot of people are crying out, why was the mom arrested?” Langlois said. “But right now, the facts and evidence that we have in place, that is why she was arrested.”
Lillie Bradford, Paris’ first-grade teacher, described the girl as a bright presence in class and in the hallways. Bradford said Paris had “the biggest smile on her face” and said educators struggle with not knowing what children face after leaving school. Langlois said the case has weighed heavily on officers because it involved a child.
The case now moves through West Baton Rouge Parish courts as investigators continue reviewing evidence from the home and the events of July 1. Police have said more information will be released when it does not compromise the investigation.
Author note: Last updated July 7, 2026.