11/10/2025
Quortney Kley was a beautiful red haired, blue eyed, 20-month-old girl who was murdered and s*xually assaulted on February 25, 1997, in Elgin, Illinois, by her mother's live-in boyfriend, Cayce Williams. This case represents one of the most severe violations of childhood innocence and has continued to generate controversy decades later due to Williams' parole and recent parole violations.
On February 25, 1997, Margaret "Gretta" Morgan, Quortney's mother, was at work when Cayce Williams, her then-boyfriend, was left to babysit Quortney and her 5-year-old sister. Williams brought the toddler to a local hospital with severe injuries, which immediately raised suspicions among medical professionals who contacted Elgin police.
An autopsy later determined that Quortney died from multiple injuries to the head and torso, as well as internal bleeding resulting from a beating. The examination also confirmed that the child had been s*xually assaulted. The injuries were consistent with severe abuse inflicted by an adult.
Quortney’s case took an extraordinarily long time to resolve. Williams was originally charged in 1997, facing death penalty charges, but spent approximately nine years (3375 days specifically) in Kane County jail as his case progressed through the legal system while he went through a series of different attorneys.
In 2006—nine years after the crime—Williams finally pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and predatory criminal s*xual assault of Quortney Kley in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. He received a 48-year prison sentence in Kane County.
The extended delay was partly influenced by changes in Illinois law. When Williams was originally charged, Illinois' Truth-in-Sentencing law required anyone convicted of murder to serve 100% of their sentence. However, in 1999, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled this law unconstitutional because it violated the state constitution's single-subject rule.
Williams was released on parole on February 25, 2021—exactly 24 years after murdering Quortney—after serving only half of his 48-year sentence. His release date coinciding with the anniversary of Quortney's death added to the emotional devastation of her family.
Upon release, Williams initially lived in unincorporated Crystal Lake at his brother's home, located approximately half a mile from West Elementary School, which generated significant community outcry and an online petition with over 550 signatures calling for his relocation. He was subsequently moved to 6655 S. Perry Ave. in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.
However, in September 2025, Williams faced new charges for violating the conditions of his parole. Authorities discovered that from March 2024 to September 2025, Williams had been residing with his father at a home on Elm Avenue in Carpentersville - a residence located within 500 feet of a day care center, which is prohibited for registered s*x offenders. Additionally, Williams failed to register this address with authorities and failed to notify law enforcement of employment changes.
Williams was charged with two counts of failing to register as a s*x offender, two counts of failing to inform police of an address change, and one count of residing in a day care zone as a child s*x offender (a class 4 felony). He was released under pretrial supervision with the condition that he could no longer live at his previous address near the daycare.
Quortney's mother and father, Margaret "Gretta" Morgan and Jesse Kley, have been deeply affected by the case. Her mother stated that learning of Williams' eventual release filled her with fear that he might commit similar crimes again. Morgan later pursued a career change to paralegal work as a result of her daughter's death. Her father has continued his fight by starting this, the Justice for Quortney Kley page to try and bring attention to Quortney’s case.
This case, years later, still generates ongoing attention through media coverage and podcasts, with Quortney's story continuing to raise questions about the Illinois criminal justice system, parole eligibility, and s*x offender registration compliance.
Quortney’s parents are always willing to discuss her case and truly appreciates each and every one of her followers.
Justice for Quortney Kley
