This is based on the assumption that the Halloween update of FNaF 4 is canon and is tied to Help Wanted's Halloween DLC and can be paralleled to the novels.
BEFORE ANYONE SAYS "DURR THE NOVELS DON'T MATTER DURR YOU CAN'T USE THEM TO SOLVE THE BOOKS DURR," it has been said that some things from the novels happened in the games as well.
In the novels, Charlie is kidnapped at a Halloween part at Fredbear's Family Diner. The children in FNaF 4 are not afraid of the diner, implying that nothing tragic has happened, which would obviously include the death of owner's daughter. So as of FNaF 4, the Puppet hasn't died yet.
But then again, Plushbear seems to be the Puppet, especially because it appears atop a grandfather clock. Perhaps ghosts exist outside of space and time? That wouldn't work for this franchise because they'd all just go back and kill Willy.
In the Halloween update for FNaF Help Wanted, there's a party in a barn at Halloween near a sign that says "Fall Fest 83" It actually says 83', instead of '83, but I doubt the even takes place in the 8300s.
If Charlie had died before, why is no one afraid of the place and how is William still working there?
William either hit Charlie with his car or got out of his car and shot her or something. Some people say he was drunk, and he could've been, but why? Are people just adding negative qualities to a villain?
At first I figured he killed Charlie out of revenge for CC dying or he got drunk because his son died and accidentally hit Charlie, but if Jr's is a bar, how would William have gotten drunk before going to it? Assuming "later that night," means after killing Charlie. Different bar? Afton also killed Susie's dog with his car. In the novels. Again, some things are true of both FNaF Earths, and dismissing something like that is silly.
Maybe, instead of rushing his son to the hospital, William rushed his son to his house or lab or whatever, and killed Charlie on the way, accidentally or on purpose. Is Dreadbear supposed to be CC?
And before anyone says anything about the birthday party, maybe CC's birthday is October 31st. Duh.
I haven't formed a proper theory around this because the games give me too much anxiety, but I would love to hear people's thoughts. Except for the "durrr book no matter durrr."
I have other FNaF 4 things I wanna discuss that I'm sure nobody has any real answers to because it's FNaF.