Wood, 28, was arrested Wednesday on first-degree child abuse and neglect charges, KLAS reported. The murder charge was added Thursday, according to the television station.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials said Wood was arrested with his girlfriend, Amy Taylor, 25, KVUU reported. She faces charges of child abuse and neglect.
Former NFL runningback Cierre Wood & his girlfriend, Amy Taylor are facing charges in Vegas for the death of her 5-year-old daughter. Sources say the girl was found unresponsive in an apartment Tuesday & was taken to Summerlin Hospital with bruising on her torso, legs & abdomen. pic.twitter.com/KtrU4WHpje
— Kelsey Thomas (@KelseyNews3LV) April 11, 2019
The Clark County Coroner's Office identified the child as La'Rayah Davis, the television station reported. The child died in a Las Vegas hospital Tuesday night, Sports Illustrated reported.
Police said the child had bruises on her torso, legs, and abdomen when she was examined at the hospital, KSNV reported.
In court Thursday afternoon, prosecutors said an autopsy revealed a large liver laceration, the television station reported.
The child’s father, Danuan Davis, attended the court hearing.
“You purposely hurt my kid,” he said in court. “I never thought I'd bury my child at 5 years old."
Wood is a free agent. He has played for the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills in the NFL from 2013 through 2015. He also played in the Canadian Football League, WXIN reported. Wood played at Notre Dame from 2010 to 2012, skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft in 2014, the South Bend Tribune reported.
About the Author