A mother and father in Michigan have been arrested after they allegedly abused their 22-month-old son before he died malnourished and stiff.
The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office said that Karloina Davis and Pierson Davis have been charged with murder and two counts of first-degree child abuse in connection with the death of their son, Vincent Davis.
Despite recently handing out the charges, the investigation into the baby’s death dates back to the summer of 2024.
Karloina, 30, called 911 on the morning of August 12, 2024, to report that she found her 22-month-old son face down and not breathing in his crib, according to WLNS. She allegedly referred to Vincent in the past tense and said he was “beyond help” when the dispatcher told her to perform CPR.
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Authorities arrived at the home in Aurelius Township, Michigan, and found Karloina standing in her driveway with Vincent in her arms. The child’s skin was “pulled tight over his face and skull” and his rib cage was visible, according to court documents. Police also said he had a “considerable” amount of feces in his diaper, as well as a bruise on his right groin area that was “about the size of an orange.”
Vincent was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead. His cause of death was reportedly determined to be caregiver neglect, and his manner of death was listed as a homicide.
Investigators searched the home and determined that the living quarters were “not suitable” for children. Authorities said there was what appeared to be dried blood on the walls, as well as rotten food on the floor. Additionally, the home was said to be generally dirty and cluttered.
When the officers went upstairs, they found a 4-year-old boy naked and wrapped in a blanket. The child was identified as the couple’s other son and he reportedly appeared “very weak” and could not stand, according to WLNS. Police also said he began to cry “uncontrollably” when the father picked him up.
One investigator reportedly found a computer screen with a message exchange between “Demon Pierson” and “Golden Fate.”
“I was just holding him and taking stuff out of his mouth, he has no heartbeat, no breathing,” one of the messages reportedly read, while another said, “What stuff was in his mouth?” and “I think pieces of his bed.”
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Karloina allegedly told investigators she grabbed him and found pieces of foam “in his mouth back to his throat.” Pierson’s mother later said that her surviving son had called her and said Vincent was not breathing. The phone call reportedly took place before 911 was called.
The couple appeared in court on Wednesday, March 18. Karloina’s bond was set at $20 million, while Pierson’s bond was set at $10 million. They are both scheduled to return to court on March 31.
It is not currently clear if Karloina or Pierson have entered pleas or retained legal counsel. The Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
