Former NFL player Cierre Wood charged with murder of girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter
A former NFL running back has been charged with murder in the death of his girlfriend's five-year-old daughter.
Law enforcement in Las Vegas arrested 28-year-old Cierre Wood, on Wednesday. The former athlete was originally charged with first-degree child abuse and neglect, according to an ABC7 report.
Five-year-old La-Rayah Davis was found unresponsive at her mother's apartment and was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital, the Clark County Coroner's Office said.
While detectives revealed the youngster had sustained bruises to her legs, abdomen, and torso, prosecutors claimed La-Rayah also had a large laceration on her liver.
Now, La-Rayah's biological father is distraught and waiting for justice to be served. He said that the child was often afraid to go home over the last two months. "I can't call her, I can't," he grimaced. "I just talked to her that Wednesday before and she said, 'Dad, I will see you in two weeks, right?' And I said, 'Yeah, I'll see you soon.' The next day, I get a call that she is gone."
Meanwhile, Amy Taylor, Wood's girlfriend and La-Rayah's mother, was charged with child abuse and neglect. On the other hand, Wood is currently remanded in custody without bond.
Wood played for Houston, New England, and Buffalo during his time in the NFL. He previously played for his college in Notre Dame. In 2013, he was cut from the Texans and was most recently relieved by the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes in 2017.