In a heartbreaking case of child abuse, a 5-year-old girl, Lara Davis, tragically lost her life due to the brutal actions of her mother’s boyfriend, Sier Wood. Wood, a former NFL player, subjected Lara to intense workouts as punishment for her weight, deeming her “too chunky.” This horrific story highlights the devastating consequences of child abuse and the importance of speaking up to protect vulnerable children.
Lara was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital in April 2019, unresponsive and covered in bruises. The medical examination revealed the horrifying extent of her injuries, including multiple skull contusions, internal bleeding, and 20 broken ribs. These injuries were not isolated incidents but rather the result of prolonged abuse at the hands of Wood.
According to the investigation, Wood would force Lara to endure grueling exercises, including running sprints, sit-ups, and wall squats, all because he believed she was overweight. On the day of her death, Lara was reportedly forced to do sit-ups for not learning her letters and numbers. During this abusive punishment, she fell backward, hitting her head.
Wood called 911, but by the time authorities arrived, Lara’s body was cold and stiff. The subsequent autopsy painted a grim picture of the abuse Lara endured.
Wood initially claimed that Lara’s injuries were from a fall, but the evidence told a different story. The severity and extent of her injuries, coupled with witness statements, pointed to a disturbing pattern of physical abuse.
Both Wood and Lara’s mother, Amy Taylor, were arrested and charged in connection with her death. Taylor was initially charged with child abuse and neglect, with allegations that she participated in the abuse by sitting on Lara’s chest and stomach as punishment.
Lara’s family revealed that she split her time between her father in California and her mother in Nevada. Tragically, Lara’s death occurred just weeks after she and her mother moved in with Wood. Lara’s father shared his heartbreak, saying that Lara had expressed fear and reluctance to return to her mother’s home in the months leading up to her death. He believes there were warning signs that were missed.
In a plea deal struck five years after Lara’s death, Wood pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse, neglect, or endangerment. He did not admit guilt but acknowledged the evidence against him. Taylor also accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse, neglect, or endangerment resulting in substantial bodily harm.
During sentencing, Wood’s attorney attempted to shift the blame onto Taylor, alleging that she was the primary abuser. However, text messages between the couple revealed their shared disdain for Lara, referring to her with profanity and discussing ways to conceal her bruises from school officials.
The judge, Jaclyn Bluth, expressed difficulty in believing Wood’s claims of passivity, given the evidence and his personality. She stated that the text messages and photos alone would have likely resulted in a life sentence without parole had the case gone to trial.
Ultimately, Wood was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years, plus a consecutive sentence of 28 to 72 months for child abuse. Taylor received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 10 years for the murder charge, plus 8 to 20 years for the abuse charge.
This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of child abuse and the need for increased awareness and intervention. It serves as a stark reminder that we must all be vigilant in protecting children and reporting any suspected abuse. Lara’s story is a powerful call to action to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
