According to court documents, Cierre Wood admitted to using exercise as discipline after moving in with his girlfriend of six months.
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KTNV reports Wood told investigators that girlfriend Amy Taylor's daughter, La-Rayah Davis, was "chunky" and that on the day she died, he forced her to do sit-ups and to run.
Court documents say Wood claimed the girl fell backwards and hit her head while exercising, but Taylor admitted to abusing her daughter before her death.
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Taylor alleges she and her daughter were walking near a school on April 9 when La-Rayah threw a tantrum and bit her mother on the hand.
Documents say Taylor spanked her daughter and made her stand in a corner at home. But, the mother also allegedly admitted to sitting on her daughter's chest and stomach as punishment sometimes, resulting in La-Rayah complaining of chest pain.
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Wood called 911 when he became concerned about La-Rayah's appearance, telling Taylor "something is not okay," the documents state.
When emergency responders reached the couple's home, they found La-Rayah "cold and stiff." She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
KTNV reports that doctors found several injuries to the child, including bruises on multiple parts of her body. La-Rayah also had an elevated white blood cell count, a distended abdomen, a lump on her forehead, a possible bite mark, and blood in her underwear.
Wood and Taylor were initially charged with child abuse and neglect, but both are now facing murder charges.