A federal grand jury yesterday indicted the stepmother of a Wheeler Army Airfield girl who was fatally beaten last year. Delilah S. Williams will be tried in federal court along with her husband, Army Spc. Naeem J. Williams, for the July 16, 2005 death of 5-year-old Talia Williams.

Yesterday's indictment takes the place of a previous indictment against the Williamses. Naeem Williams is charged with first-degree murder, and he and Delilah Williams are each charged with three other counts: first-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and obstruction of justice.

Naeem Williams faces the death penalty if convicted, but U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has already decided against pursuing the death penalty for Delilah Williams, who could be sentenced to life in prison.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office determined that Talia Williams died of "inflicted head trauma due to battered-child syndrome."

Alexander Silvert, first assistant public defender for Delilah Williams, yesterday said his client will plead not guilty. Silvert has talked to federal prosecutors about charges against his client but "negotiations have taken an unfortunate turn of events."

"We are certainly unhappy with the indictment," Silvert said.

The murder charge against Delilah Williams is not for inflicting a fatal blow. Count 2 of the indictment alleges that she was part of a "pattern and practice of assault and torture" that contributed to the child's death.

According to a document filed in federal court, Delilah Williams told Army investigators that her husband, angry that Talia wet herself, struck his daughter with a belt and/or fist daily from mid-March to her death.

On the day Talia was killed, Naeem Williams beat his daughter twice, the document said. The second time, the girl fell and hit her head on the floor at the Williams' apartment at Wheeler Army Airfield, Delilah Williams told investigators.

The Williamses delayed calling 911 and, by the time emergency medical personnel arrived, Talia had no pulse. She was pronounced dead at Wahiawa General Hospital.

Delilah Williams is being held at the Federal Detention Center.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.