MALEAH DAVIS: 4-year-old dead - Mother's boyfriend Derion Vence arrested and charged - Houston, TX - April 2019

This is one I would like to follow. Title needs fixing, just starting a thread. It was a strange one from when it unfolded. I wondered what was going on with it now and thought about this little girl tonight, so looked it up. The Quanell guy was involved then TX Equusearch and more...

Maleah Davis' father attacks suspect in his daughter's death during court hearing in Texas

Craig Davis, the father of Maleah Davis, who was found dead on the side of an Arkansas road, lunged after the man who was the last to see her alive.

abc7news.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I remember this case now that you posted it. If anyone is like me and needs a refresher, this seems to be a good summary:

Maleah Davis' tragic, tumultuous life -- and mysterious death | CNN

A little girl with a gap-toothed smile and curly pigtails walked into a Houston apartment in a pink tutu a month ago -- and disappeared.

www.cnn.com

Mom's boyfriend, Derion Vence, told police he was on his way to the airport on May 3 when he pulled over to see if he had a flat tire, and some men approached him and beat him up until he passed out. After 24 hours he woke up to find Maleah gone. He walked to a nearby hospital with his son. (Surveillance footage later showed that he was actualy dropped off by car. Other footage showed Maleah never left the home after entering it on April 30.



I don't believe he's been charged with murder at this time...

Bond conditions released for Derion Vence, man accused of killing Maleah Davis

Currently being held on a $90,000 bond, Derion Vence is now asking a judge to lower his bond to $45,000. Here's a list of conditions.

abc13.com

Vence is charged with tampering with evidence, namely a corpse. He is also charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I forgot they did not charge him with murder although I remember we felt that would be coming. So they never did?

It was a horrible case, they all are, but this one more than some. This one also became pretty publicly known compared to some.

Thanks for finding a good recap of the case.

 

[Kimster]

I remember this case now that you posted it. If anyone is like me and needs a refresher, this seems to be a good summary:

Maleah Davis' tragic, tumultuous life -- and mysterious death | CNN

A little girl with a gap-toothed smile and curly pigtails walked into a Houston apartment in a pink tutu a month ago -- and disappeared.

www.cnn.com

Mom's boyfriend, Derion Vence, told police he was on his way to the airport on May 3 when he pulled over to see if he had a flat tire, and some men approached him and beat him up until he passed out. After 24 hours he woke up to find Maleah gone. He walked to a nearby hospital with his son. (Surveillance footage later showed that he was actualy dropped off by car. Other footage showed Maleah never left the home after entering it on April 30.

View attachment 9938

I don't believe he's been charged with murder at this time...

Bond conditions released for Derion Vence, man accused of killing Maleah Davis

Currently being held on a $90,000 bond, Derion Vence is now asking a judge to lower his bond to $45,000. Here's a list of conditions.

abc13.com

Vence is charged with tampering with evidence, namely a corpse. He is also charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.

View attachment 9939 View attachment 9940

Isn't injury to a child causing serious bodily injury the same as MURDER?

 

[GrandmaBear]

Isn't injury to a child causing serious bodily injury the same as MURDER?

I never really understood the charges in this case either and the lack of anything relating to murder/homicide. He basically allegedly confessed to her being harmed by an "accident" etc. like when he "pushed" her off his lap or some such, although I am sure his story was not the real story of what he actually did to her.

Then on top of everything else, just before her remains were "found", a lawn mower hit them... That whole part of this case was a bit odd... I only bring it up because I wonder if autopsy was unable to possibly determine some things for charges although I don't recall. I do know he was charged with the charges he does have before they retrieved her remains, well I am pretty sure I recall that right anyhow.

 

[kdg411]

Parents of Maleah Davis in custody battle over her 6-year-old brother

Maleah’s mom, Brittany Bowens, who has undergone extensive psychological assessments at the request of CPS, is in counseling and she’s asking for her mother to get custody of her 6-year-old son. A CPS caseworker testified Bowens “is not emotionally ready to take the kids.”

www.fox10phoenix.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

Parents of Maleah Davis in custody battle over her 6-year-old brother

Maleah’s mom, Brittany Bowens, who has undergone extensive psychological assessments at the request of CPS, is in counseling and she’s asking for her mother to get custody of her 6-year-old son. A CPS caseworker testified Bowens “is not emotionally ready to take the kids.”

www.fox10phoenix.com

I am not sure I ever heard this but this article and trial was from a year ago in 2020. I didn't catch it until I read that Maleah died last May and it was longer ago than that.

I see it is/was a jury trial over custody. I just noticed that in the Lori Daybell special on TV, that her fight with Joe in Texas also I believe was a jury trial over custody. I have never before heard of a jury trial in family matters/divorce court/custody battles. Now I have heard it twice, both in Texas.

I followed this case closely and while Maleah's father was not involved in her death, I am unsure of his parenting either or how present he was as a father. I would be curious how this ended up and what is going on now.