Nicole Lynn Bryner before she disappeared at age 3.

Police last night charged a woman's once live-in boyfriend with the death of her child whom the woman had claimed was abducted almost a quarter century ago from a South Side supermarket.

Timothy Wayne Widman, 51, was arraigned this morning on homicide and related charges in the 1982 killing of Nicole Lynn Bryner, then 3.

The child's mother, Melody Thomas, had told police that her daughter disappeared from her while the two were shopping at the Giant Eagle on the South Side, according to an affidavit that supports Mr. Widman's arrest.

City police confirmed that they arrested Mr. Widman last night.

Police said Mr. Widman confessed in 1986 to punching the little girl in the head and caused her to fall back onto a radiator, killing her on impact. Mr. Widman then allegedly told police that he buried Nicole's body in a wooded area in Brookline.

1986 file photo Timothy Widman

While he was charged in the case, prosecutors dropped the charges because of complications of prosecuting without a body. Mr. Widman pleaded guilty in 2003 to possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

A family member, who did not want to be quoted last night, said police had not found Nicole's body. Family said they did not have closure in the case because the little girl was never found.

Initially, police questioned the mother in connection with the girl's disappearance.