Cierre Woods, a former Notre Dame football running back, has been sentenced to life in prison for the death of a five-year-old girl.
Cierre Wood, a former Notre Dame football running back, has been sentenced to life in prison for the death of his girlfriend’s five-year-old daughter. He will be eligible for parole after ten years, according to the Associated Press.
Wood pled guilty to second-degree murder and criminal child abuse in April. Wood is sentenced to life in prison, as well as 28 months to six years for child abuse. Both sentences will be read consecutively.
The mother of La’Rayah Davis pled guilty to second-degree murder and felony child abuse. Davis’ autopsy report found that she died from blunt force injuries. According to The Guardian, she died after suffering shattered ribs, internal hemorrhaging, and a lacerated liver, among other ailments.
Along with the fatal injuries, an arrest record from 2019 indicated that Wood forced Davis to work out as punishment because he believed she was overweight. According to Kelsey Thomas of 3News, Wood forced her to run sprints at their apartment, as well as do push-ups and wall sits.
Cierre Wood played on the Notre Dame football team from 2009 to 2012. He rushed for 2,447 yards and 16 touchdowns in 37 games with the team. Wood later signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played three games for the team and two games with the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. In his seven NFL games, Wood gained 12 yards on five carries.
The running back moved around the CFL from 2017 to 2018, but his football career came to an end after his final season with the Montreal Alouettes. While he excelled at Notre Dame, Wood never established his footing in the professional ranks.
However, regardless of where he played, Wood’s time on the gridiron will be forgotten. His heinous crime has resulted in a life sentence in prison.
