Former Montreal Alouettes running back charged with child abuse, murder of 5-year-old

A former NFL and CFL running back arrested in Las Vegas on suspicion of child abuse now faces murder charges after the five-year-old girl died.

KLAS-TV reports Las Vegas police arrested 28-year-old Cierre Wood on Wednesday and added the murder charge Thursday. He originally was charged with first-degree child abuse and neglect.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office says five-year-old La-Rayah Davis died as a result of child abuse.

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Police also have charged Amy Taylor with child abuse and neglect.

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The connection between the three is not known and it’s not clear if the suspects have lawyers or will be appointed legal representation at a pending court appearance.

Wood played in college at Notre Dame and spent time in the NFL with Houston, New England, and Buffalo. He most recently was released by the Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes in 2017.