Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty in Death of Two-Year-Old

An Oklahoma man accused of killing a two-year-old Sevier County girl has pleaded guilty to murder, ending a case in which prosecutors had planned to seek the death penalty.

Wesley Davis of Eagletown, Oklahoma, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty Thursday morning in Sevier County Circuit Court. Under the agreement, Davis was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The case stems from a March 1, 2025 incident in Lockesburg. According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a home after first responders reported an unresponsive child. Investigators said Davis, who was caring for two-year-old Ava Tabor, admitted to beating her for approximately 30 minutes.

Ava was taken to Sevier County Medical Center and later transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. She died from her injuries on March 4.

Davis was initially arrested on a first-degree domestic battery charge. After Ava’s death, the charge was upgraded to murder and eventually capital murder.

Prosecutors had announced plans to seek the death penalty. Davis’ defense had also filed motions challenging the constitutionality of Arkansas’ death penalty laws.

With Thursday’s guilty plea and sentence, Davis will spend the remainder of his life in prison without eligibility for parole.