LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A mom recorded video of the lifeless physique of her 4-year-old son, Ja’Kari Davis, in a tub after she drowned the kid, in line with grand jury transcripts obtained by the 8 Information Now Investigators.
A Clark County grand jury indicted Amari Taylor, 24, on homicide and youngster abuse leading to substantial bodily hurt on March 13 after viewing the video and listening to from three witnesses, together with the kid’s father, a Las Vegas Metro police detective, and a health worker.
Detective Danielle Sigmund testified that Taylor stated she first tried baptizing her son after he began appearing uncommon by balling up his fists and making faces at her.
“She stated that she was anointed and that she believed that demons were making him behave this way so she was going to give him a bath and pray over the water to get the demons off,” Sigmund stated.
When Taylor believed the primary time failed, she stated she baptized her son once more and held his physique underwater for 10 to fifteen minutes, in line with Sigmund.
“She realized when she got him out that he was dead,” Sigmund stated. “She laid him on the floor and then left the room because she couldn’t look at him.”
John-Lewis Davis testified he discovered his son’s physique after kicking within the door to the residence when Taylor refused to open it on Dec. 29.
“He looked like he was sleeping,” Davis testified.
Davis stated he went to verify on his son after studying about disturbing social media posts Taylor had made.
“No bs I think that girl having a mental breakdown or something and I’m genuinely scared for her kid,” one social media publish learn.
Somebody replied, “…she calling everybody a demon kids and all and she posted a video of her going through her son’s hair and she thinks she found a tracker in it and it’s because of the halftime show.”
“She started beating on the door talking about flee demon or flee Lucifer,” Davis testified. “She had ran past me naked and I looked at her and searched for my son.”
Officers discovered Taylor bare on the street as she tried to run away whereas speaking in regards to the satan, in line with an arrest report.
Medical expert Stephanie Yagi testified that whereas the post-mortem report is pending, the circumstances surrounding the case have been per somebody drowning the kid.
John-Lewis Davis additionally testified about his ultimate moments along with his son because the youngster opened presents on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning earlier than he left him along with his mom.
“He woke up smiling because we had put the toys by the fireplace,” Davis stated. “When I was leaving he was just playing with his toys. He was all up with the train set. It was a map and little cars and playing.”
Detectives later spoke with a social employee therapist who stated Taylor known as a psychological well being hotline to inquire about companies in July of 2024, the arrest report acknowledged. Taylor was recognized with Normal Anxiousness Dysfunction, Main Melancholy with out Psychotic Options and Publish Traumatic Stress Dysfunction, no remedy was prescribed, and Taylor accomplished 9 digital remedy periods till her insurance coverage lapsed in October, in line with the report.
Taylor expressed a need to proceed remedy and an appointment had been scheduled for Dec. 31 to debate preparations, the report acknowledged.
Officers had knocked on Taylor’s door the day earlier than the kid’s physique was discovered after she had known as police to report allegations in opposition to her son’s father. Taylor spoke with officers via the door and accused them of attempting to enter her residence and not using a warrant, police stated.
“Amari was screaming at officers and repeating herself,” the report acknowledged. “She refused to speak with officers, and they cleared the scene without further interaction.”
A neighbor informed police two days earlier than the kid’s physique was discovered, she noticed Taylor pacing outdoors screaming that males aren’t any good and ladies have a present between their legs, and that was the primary time she had seen Taylor appearing erratically, detectives wrote.
In a separate case, Taylor is charged with battery on a protected particular person, a gross misdemeanor. Taylor struck a Las Vegas Metro police officer with a automotive door by kicking it on Dec. 29, in line with a legal grievance.
Clark County District Courtroom Decide Christy Craig discovered Taylor competent to face trial on Feb. 14 after an analysis.
Taylor is at the moment being held on the Clark County Detention Middle. The 8 Information Now Investigators requested an interview which Taylor declined.
Taylor is scheduled to seem in courtroom for the homicide case on Thursday.
It’s unclear whether or not any of the people who expressed concern on social media contacted police to provoke a welfare verify.
When you suspect youngster abuse or neglect, you’re urged to report it.
The Clark County Baby Abuse and Neglect Hotline is (702) 399-0081.
To achieve investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, electronic mail vmurphy@8newsnow.com.
