A 26-year-old Charlotte man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he beat his girlfriend's 7-month-old son to death while she was at work.
Zaki Davis was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Israel Williams last month and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday, a press release from the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office said.
Isarel Died of 'Non-Accidental Trauma' Inflicted by Davis
Israel was under Davis' care on Dec. 17, 2021, at his northwest Charlotte home. He even fed the boy and sent his girlfriend images via text throughout the night. Davis also sent his mother, who was also in the home at the time, a photo of her holding Israel at 9:23 p.m.
"Less than 30 minutes later, Israel was unresponsive and had suffered abusive head trauma and non-accidental trauma intentionally inflicted by Davis," the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's office said in a statement announcing the verdict and sentencing. The child's death was ruled a homicide.
Davis Searched 'Baby Acting Lifeless' and 'Baby Not Responding but Heart is' on His Cellphone
Cellphone data revealed that Davis searched "baby acting lifeless" and "baby not responding but heart is" before calling 911 just before 10 p.m. Paramedics rushed Israel to the Levine Children's Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead a short time later.
Davis was arrested a few days after Israel's death and he has been in custody at the Mecklenburg County Jail ever since.
