Bond is set for teen accused of killing his niece

HILLSBORO, OH (FOX19) - Bond was set on Tuesday at $500,000 for 18-year-old Matthew Pierson.

Pierson is charged with murdering his 5-year-old niece Jada Beth Williams by beating her with a sickle. "Initial reports are that Jada Beth died from multiple blunt force trauma to the head, neck and face from a cythe, which is a hand tool used to cut tall grass and weeds", said Sheriff Ron Ward.

Court documents obtained by FOX19 yesterday say he confessed to beating his niece to death inside the home on Flat Run Road located in Jackson Township on Saturday night. Her body was found the next afternoon in this garage.

"I've known him for 10 years. He's a good kid as far as I knew," said Jada's Grandmother, Tina Williams.

Residents in the quite country community were shocked, "I was quite surprised to see it on tv, I really was because no child should go through this," said Nellie Williamson.

"It was sickening. Something like this happening in our small community, words can't describe how people are feeling here," said Barbara Hicks.

Copyright 2012 WXIX. All rights reserved.