Ex NFL player charged with murdering his girlfriend’s five-year-old daughter ‘forced the girl to do squats, sit-ups and sprints inside their apartment because he thought she was too “chunky” before he beat her to death’
- Cierre Wood and girlfriend Amy Taylor were arrested last Tuesday in relation to the death of Taylor’s five-year-old girl
- The pair have were initially charged with first degree child abuse or neglect which was upgraded to murder on Tuesday
- Taylor’s daughter died from her injuries in a Las Vegas hospital on April 9
- The Clark County coroner determined she had a lacerated liver, broken ribs and died of multiple injuries. Her death was ruled a homicide
- Wood enjoyed an illustrious college football career at Notre Dame, before being signed to several practice squads in the NFL
Former NFL player Cierre Wood has been charged with murder over the death of his girlfriend’s five-year-old daughter.
The running back, 28, and his partner Amy Taylor, 25, were taken into custody by Las Vegas police last Tuesday (April 9), after La’Ryah Davis died in hospital.
On Tuesday (April 16), a Las Vegas judge expressed shock at the severity of injuries found on the little girl as murder and child abuse charges were laid against the couple.
Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson denied bail Tuesday to Taylor and former running back Wood pending a May 21 preliminary hearing.
Former NFL player, Cierre Wood appears in court on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Las Vegas
Amy Taylor, left, wept in court as she listened to the injuries reported by the coroner in the death of her daughter La’Rayah Davis
Prosecutor Michelle Jobe said a grand jury is expected to hear evidence about the April 9 death of the five-year-old girl.
The Clark County coroner determined she had a lacerated liver, broken ribs and died of multiple injuries. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Attorneys for both defendants declined comment outside court.
Wood played for Houston, New England, Buffalo, and in the Canadian Football League.
Cierre Wood (left) and Amy Taylor (right) were arrested and charged by Las Vegas police after the death of Taylor’s young daughter
From 2010 until 2013, Wood played college football for Notre Dame, and quickly caught the attention of NFL scouting agents.
He scored 16 touchdowns across the course of three seasons.
However, the athlete’s subsequent career in the NFL was limited, and he spent most of his time in practice squads.
Wood began as a free agent with the Houston Texas in January 2013.
The New England Patriots signed him to their practice squad in November of that year, but he was released after less than two months.
Wood enjoyed an illustrious college football career at Notre Dame. He is pictured playing for the college in 2012
Wood quickly caught the attention of NFL scouting agents during his time at Notre Dame. He is pictured on the field in 2011
Later associated with the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills, Wood only saw five carries in regular season action.
He was last reported to be playing in the Canadian Football League, but was released in May 2018.
It is unclear when Wood and Taylor began dating, or when he moved to Las Vegas.
A now-defunct Facebook profile shows he is a father to his own young daughter, Braelyn.
A Facebook profile shows photos from 2013 where Wood dotes over a young girl believed to be his own daughter
Wood is pictured spending time with the young girl, thought to be daughter Braelyn