‘Dad’ punches toddler son to death for calling him a name

A Georgia father who beat his 2-year-old son to death for calling him a name learned his fate this week.

Courtney Craig was sentenced Monday to life plus 20 years for the March 2016 beating death of his son, King Davis. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Davis lived with his mother in Louisana but was visiting his father in Douglasville at the time of his death.

The night before the murder, Davis ate with his father and family at Joe’s Crab Shack. Prosecutors said that the toddler was “devoid of any injuries” while at the restaurant. The next day, Davis called the baby’s mother and told her he wasn’t breathing, prompting her to urge him to call 911, according to the newspaper.

WAGA reported that authorities who responded to the scene said King “had been dead for several hours and had visible bruising throughout his body.” An autopsy determined the child died from blunt force trauma and asphyxiation and sustained internal injuries.

The Journal-Constitution reported that Craig originally claimed that Davis possibly had an allergic reaction from seafood after eating at Joe’s Crab Shack. However, he later admitted to punching the 2-year-old in the stomach and chest for calling him a name. In addition to covering his mouth, he also confessed to hitting and biting his son during his deadly attack.

Craig ultimately pleaded guilty to malice murder and aggravated battery. Reports indicated that the slain child’s mother and family were present for Monday’s sentencing.

“Justice for the victim and justice for his family,” District Attorney Ryan Leonard said, according to the Douglasville Patch.

“Today ensured that the defendant will be held accountable for what he did and spend the rest of his life in prison.”

 

[Featured Image: Courtney Craig/Douglas County District Attorney’s Office; King Davis/WAGA]