A Houston County jury is deliberating the case of Kianna Davis, accused of killing her 2-year-old son, Karter Ambrose. Closing arguments concluded Wednesday.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Houston County jury is now deliberating the fate of Kianna Davis, a former Georgia teacher accused of killing her two-year-old son, Karter Ambrose. Davis took the stand Thursday and said she did nothing wrong.

Closing arguments wrapped up a little after 3 p.m., and the judge sent the case to the jury around 3:45 p.m.



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Davis — who was a teacher at Seckinger High School in metro-Atlanta — is facing seven charges, including malice murder, felony murder, cruelty to children, and aggravated assault.

Prosecutors argue she caused the child’s death, pointing to injuries they say were not accidental. They also say she did not take the child to the doctor when he complained of stomach pain.

However, on the stand Thursday, Davis maintained her innocence. 

She said she does not know what happened to her son and she did not see any bruises or serious injuries. Davis also said her ex-boyfriend, who was also around the child, did not hurt him.

There was a tense moment in the courtroom when Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane pressed Davis.

“You say Kiyon would never do anything like that,” Duane said.

“That is correct,” Davis replied.

“But you deny having done anything,” Duane said.

“That is correct,” Davis said.

“So who would have done it if the only two people were he and you,” Duane asked.

“That is a good question,” Davis said.

“So we just don’t know?” Duane said.

“We don’t,” Davis answered.

Kiyon Benton, Davis’s ex-boyfriend, also faces charges and will be tried separately.

The judge said since a verdict was not reached Wednesday, the deliberations will pick back up again on Friday.


MORE ON THE CASE


Case timeline

Nov. 17, 2020: Karter Ambrose was taken to a pediatrician’s office, where he died after staff’s attempt to perform CPR. His autopsy would determine Ambrose died from blunt force injuries, including a lacerated liver. Oct. 17, 2023: Kianna Davis and her then-boyfriend, Kiyon Benton, were officially indicted in the death of Ambrose. Nov. 3, 2023: Davis was arrested by the Warner Robins Police Department after her indictment. Nov. 9, 2023: Davis was granted bond, totaling $15,000, and ordered to remain on house arrest until court. May 1, 2024: An arraignment took place where Davis officially heard the charges against her.July 13, 2026:  The trial began on Monday with jury selection and opening arguments. 


TRIAL TIMELINE:

Monday: A jury was empaneled on the first day of jury selection, moving straight into opening arguments. 

There, prosecutor Justin Duane and defense attorney Jeffrey Grube outlined what they expected the evidence to show.

The prosecutors argued that the evidence will show Davis caused the death of Ambrose.

But the defense pushed back, saying the evidence doesn’t show Davis  — or anyone else  — caused Ambrose’s death. 

The defense and prosecution wrapped up opening arguments and moved into witness testimony. 

Tuesday: Testimony continued in the trial on Tuesday, where prosecutors showed jurors the video of Warner Robins Police officers speaking with Davis after Ambrose’s’ death. 

The officer, Matthew Wojtal, outlined what he saw when responding to the call. 

Wednesday: The defense continued to outline evidence against Davis, including playing excerpts from her interrogation with Warner Robins Police Detectives. 

The prosecutors then rested their case, handing the floor over to the defense to outline their case.

The only witness brought by defense attorney Jeffrey Grube was Kianna Davis herself. For over an hour, she spoke on the death of her son and her background, taking questions from her attorney before being cross examined by prosecutor Justin Duane.

The prosecution and defense then rested and headed to closing arguments. 

There, they painted two different visions of what happened.

The case was then handed over to the jury to begin deliberation, weighing the evidence and determining whether or not Davis is guilty or not guilty.