A Norfolk man has pleaded guilty to charges of child abuse and neglect after his 6-week-old son suffered serious injuries in November 2024. William Robert Lee Jr., 28, admitted to felony child abuse and neglect as well as cruelty resulting in injuries to a child.
According to court records, Lee was caring for his infant son alone on November 16, 2024, when he brought the baby to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters after noticing seizures and that the baby felt cold. Medical staff found that the infant had intracranial hemorrhaging and a broken leg. Doctors determined these injuries likely occurred during the time Lee was alone with the child.
Lee and his wife told investigators they had previously taken their son to another hospital on November 4, 2024, after Lee pulled on the baby’s leg while changing a diaper and heard a “popping” sound. The baby was given pain medication at that time but did not receive an X-ray or further examination for possible fractures.
A forensic nurse at CHKD reviewed medical records and examined the infant, concluding that the brain injury resulted from “rotational, acceleration/deceleration forces” and that the leg injury came from “forceful pulling and twisting.” The nurse stated these actions went beyond what would be considered normal parenting practices. During interviews with police, Lee said he tried to wake his son by “rolling” him in his crib without supporting his head; however, medical findings indicated more forceful conduct than described by Lee.
On October 27, Lee agreed to plead guilty to two felonies. In return for his plea, prosecutors dropped two related charges. There is no sentencing agreement in place. Judge Joseph C. Lindsey accepted Lee’s plea and scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2026.
“Babies are vulnerable and innocent, and parents owe their children love and protection, not pain,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Lee hurt his own son in ways that most parents find incomprehensibly cruel, and at sentencing we will recommend a sanction that fits his offenses. Never shake a child.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jessica L. Terkovich is handling prosecution of the case while Detective Stephanie J. Lupo led the investigation for Norfolk Police.
Support services for victims of crime are available through the Norfolk Family Justice Center (NFJC), which provides information about resources such as counseling or emergency assistance at norfolkfjc.org or by phone at 757-330-0376. The NFJC office is located at 835 Glenrock Road, Suite 100 in Norfolk; hours are weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with crisis help available anytime via hotline at 757-251-0144.
