Man's Google searches reveal guilt in 7-month-old baby's tragic death

A 26-year-old man from North Carolina will serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole for fatally beating his girlfriend's 7-month-old son while she was away at work.

Last month, Zaki Davis received a first-degree murder conviction for the death of Israel Williams, and on Wednesday, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole, according to a press release from the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office, as stated.

Davis was taking care of Israel, the son of his girlfriend, on December 17, 2021, at his residence in northwest Charlotte.

He fed the child and sent picture messages to his girlfriend throughout the evening.

At 9:23pm, Davis sent his mother, who was also present at the house, a photo of her with Israel.

Shortly after taking Israel upstairs, within less than thirty minutes, the boy became unresponsive.

Davis had inflicted "non-accidental trauma" on Israel, leading to his death being classified as a homicide. The press release did not provide details on why Davis assaulted the child.

Records from his cellphone indicated that Davis searched for "baby acting lifeless" and "baby not responding but heart is" before contacting 911 shortly before 10pm.

Paramedics transported Israel to the hospital, where he was declared dead soon after.

Authorities arrested Davis several days following Israel's death, and he has been held at the Mecklenburg County Jail since then.

District Attorney Spencer B. Merriweather III remarked that Davis was sentenced on the opening day of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

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"April serves as an important opportunity to remind us all of our shared responsibility to assist and uplift families, to nurture supportive communities, and to safeguard all children," stated Merriweather.