Three months after a father admitted to beating his 2-year-old son for swearing, he pleaded not guilty to the boy's murder Thursday, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Courtney Chauvez Craig is charged with murder and child cruelty after police say he beat his son, King Davis, to death in March at his Millwood Park apartment. Davis lived with his mother in Louisiana, but he was visiting his father in Douglasville.
Davis was found unresponsive at the apartment by two people, but he was dead when police arrived, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. Weeks after Davis’ death, Craig admitted to beating his child for calling him an expletive.
Bruises were found on the boy’s torso and abdomen and a bite mark was found on his shoulder, Douglas County officials said. Bruises were also found behind his ears.
Craig initially told investigators Davis got sick and may have had an allergic reaction after eating at a seafood restaurant. After further questioning, he admitted to punching Davis in the stomach and chest. The boy had several broken ribs.
“We want to know what happened to King,” said the boy’s grandmother, Spanky Davis, wiping away tears in court Thursday. Craig’s attorney told Channel 2 that he plans to fight the charges.
While Davis’ family members were upset about Craig’s plea, his aunt told Channel 2 they plan to be at every court appearance.
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