GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County teacher was arrested last week and faces murder charges in the 2020 beating death of a two-year-old in the Warner Robins area.
Kianna Davis, 32, has been indicted in Houston County with one other person, Kiyon Benton, in the November 2020 death of the toddler, Karter Ambrose. She has been charged with one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, one count of first-degree cruelty to children, one count of aggravated assault, one count of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree cruelty to children.
Davis has been a teacher at Seckinger High School in Buford. In a letter to parents, Seckinger Principal Jimmy Fisher said the district has launched its own investigation into the situation after "we were alerted that one of our teachers was arrested over the weekend." The district confirmed Davis is the subject of the letter.
The principal said in the letter the teacher has not been at the school for nearly two weeks and "will not be permitted on campus while the situation remains unresolved."
"As is often the case in situations like this, news about this has spread among students and to social media, and I felt it important that you heard the facts from me first. Although this news may come as a surprise to you and spark questions, I want to reassure you your student is in good hands. A substitute will continue to cover the duties of the teacher in question for the time being," Fisher said. "As your principal, I am committed to the work we are doing to foster a safe and positive school environment and encourage our school community to come to me when you have concerns."
11Alive most recently learned that Davis was also a teacher at Peachtree Ridge High School starting in January 2021 before her time at Seckinger High.
According to the indictment, the child was beaten with an unidentified object and suffered a lacerated liver. Davis and Benton are also accused of "failing to seek immediate medical attention" after the child was injured. It's unclear if the suspects are related to the victim.
The teacher was indicted in mid-October, records show. It was unclear why she wasn't arrested until last Friday. She will have a bond and plea hearing on Thursday.
11Alive's sister station in Macon, WMAZ, reported she was taken into custody by the Warner Robins Police Department, U.S. Marshals, Houston County Sheriff's Office and Houston County District Attorney's Office.