BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer

How to help Monetary contributions for Betty Williams' daughter can be sent to : Peoples Bank & Trust Co. Owenton, Ky. 40359 or to University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union 1080 Export St. Lexington, Ky. 40504 Toys can be sent to her at: University of Kentucky Hospital Volunteer Department 800 Rose St. Lexington, Ky. 40536

An 8-year-old Owen County girl who survived a brutal attack that killed her mother has received an outpouring of sympathy from strangers across the commonwealth.

"I can tell you that in this office (Tuesday) the phone was ringing about once every minute," said Doug Bruce, spokesman for the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. "(Callers) wanted to know how she was doing and what they could do to help."

Temothy Smith, 22, of Owenton remained in the Carroll County Detention Center on Wednesday after pleading not guilty Tuesday to murdering Betty Williams and attempting to murder her daughter. The judge denied bond for Mr. Smith, whom friends described as someone with whom Ms. Williams had a brief relationship.

Kentucky State Police said Mr. Smith confessed to the crimes just hours after the little girl identified her assailant. Authorities said the attack came one month after the girl's father committed suicide.

"This is an unusual case from all levels," Mr. Bruce said. "You're looking at someone who's become an orphan very quickly because of death by trauma to both parents. Add to that the fact that she was injured by an assailant, then identified her assailant."

Betty Williams

Trust funds have been established at an Owenton bank, as well as at the UK Medical Center, where Ms. Williams' daughter remains in serious but stable condition. She suffered injuries to her head and abdominal area, Mr. Bruce said.

Doctors predicted it would be three to six months before she recovers from her physical injuries.

Andrew Pullito, the girl's pediatric surgeon, said the girl's long-term prognosis is good.

"I don't think she has any physical injuries that she won't recover from," he said Wednesday.

Temothy Smith (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

The girl was found unconscious, lying next to her mother's body in their trailer late Sunday when friends discovered them.

On Monday, she underwent surgery, Mr. Bruce said.

"She's a special kid," the hospital spokesman said. He added the girl is still groggy from the drugs administered for surgery, so it's difficult to say how she's doing emotionally. She is aware that her mother is dead.

Kentucky State Police Trooper David Stevenson said police are continuing to explore possible motives for the crime. One detective has said that robbery is a possibility and that drugs were involved. Ms. Williams' mother, Jackie Murphy, said her daughter told family members that she used drugs, including marijuana.

"That's the only fault she had," she said. Mrs. Murphy didn't offer many specifics beyond saying she thought the drug use started when her daughter married.

Trooper Stevenson said the LaGrange post is fielding dozens of calls about Ms. Williams' daughter.

"A lot of people have become attached to this little girl," he said. "For the area where this happened, I can't remember a crime quite so vicious."

Gregory A. Hall and Jane Prendergast contributed to this story.

Previous stories

8-YEAR-OLD: HE KILLED MY MOTHER Aug. 13, 1997
DAUGHTER MAY HAVE SEEN MOTHER'S KILLER Aug. 12, 1997