Charges Upgraded In Death Of Vidalia Toddler

There’s new information in the case of a Vidalia toddler who died this week after being rushed to the hospital.  The man police have arrested in the case has now had his charges upgraded.    We first reported on Wednesday that Shawn Davis was facing a charge of cruelty to children in the first degree - the district attorney has now upgraded that charge to felony murder. 

Vidalia police are still not releasing a lot of information in the case…including exactly how the child died.  They say they are waiting until autopsy results come in from GBI before detailing the nature of the child’s injuries.  What they are willing to say is that the investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.

Vidalia police say it was late Tuesday afternoon when Toombs county DFACs contacted them regarding the case.  EMS had been called to Raymona Apartments by the mother of an injured 13 month old girl.  Sgt. Tony Phillips says, “Once it got to the Vidalia hospital - they realized it was severe - severely in bad shape and then transported it to Savannah.”  Memorial then contacted DFACs saying there were suspicious circumstances surrounding the child’s injuries.  Vidalia Police began questioning the girl’s mother and her boyfriend.  Shawn Davis taken into custody - charged with cruelty to children in the first degree.  That charge upgraded to felony murder after the child died at memorial Wednesday afternoon.  Police are not yet releasing the name of the child or her mother as the investigation continues.

Sgt. Phillips says, “There is an autopsy scheduled with the medical examiners office – GBI office in Savannah and then we’ll know a little bit more about the injuries.”  Vidalia Police say both the child’s mother and her boyfriend - the only person thus far charged in the case - have been cooperating fully with investigators.  Vidalia Police say they are unaware of any previous calls to the home on child abuse allegations.  We hope to have more information on exactly how the child died in the next few days.