La’Rayah Davis was discovered deceased in the home of Cierre Wood shortly after moving in with her mother, Amy Taylor. Wood, aged 33, received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 10 years.
After negotiating a plea deal, he admitted guilt to charges of second-degree murder and felony child abuse related to the death of his girlfriend’s 5-year-old daughter. Clark County District Court Judge Jacqueline Bluth mandated that Wood serve an additional sentence of 28 months to six years for the felony child abuse charge, to be served consecutively.
Davis was found dead in April 2019, and at that time, Taylor claimed that she had disciplined her child by sitting on her. Wood stated that he had utilized exercise as punishment and that the child fell backward during sit-ups, resulting in her hitting her head on the carpeted floor.
Both Wood and Taylor, aged 31, were indicted on murder charges in June 2019 but pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Wood entered an Alford plea, which is a formal acknowledgment of guilt in criminal court while maintaining innocence.
The autopsy report indicated that Davis sustained 20 broken ribs, internal bleeding, a lacerated liver, and significant bruising on her heart, diaphragm, and connective tissue. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force injuries.
Wood, a former running back who was undrafted out of Notre Dame in 2013, played for the Texans, Patriots, Seahawks, and Bills, and also had a stint in the Canadian Football League.