Jace Lee Davis
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CANDID ID: TX_22_2240
AGE
3   years
STATE
Texas
DATE OF DEATH
9/10/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Three-year-old Jace Lee Davis died on September 10, 2022, in rural Liberty County, Texas, while an active Child Protective Investigations case was open regarding concerns of neglectful supervision and physical neglect of Jace and his siblings. The investigation had been initiated on July 12, 2022. Jace was found gagging inside the mobile home he shared with his mother, Lisa Marie Davis (27), and her boyfriend, Elmer Powell (21). First responders performed CPR from the home to a Kingwood emergency room, where Jace was pronounced dead with serious signs of physical trauma. Both Davis and Powell were arrested and charged with making a false report to a police officer. Powell was additionally charged with injury to a child with intentional bodily injury. The child's biological father, Noe Arriaga, had not seen his son in months and expressed frustration with CPS for failing to protect the child.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

The fatality report states the CPI investigation was "initiated on July 12, 2022, due to concerns of neglectful supervision and physical neglect of Jace and his siblings." Neglectful supervision directly addresses inappropriate supervision.

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The fatality report states Jace was "found unresponsive with serious signs of physical trauma." The news article reports that Elmer Powell was charged with "injury to a child with intentional bodily injury," directly indicating inflicted injury.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The news article identifies the mother as Lisa Marie Davis, 27, who lived with the child and was arrested and charged with "making a false report to a police officer" in connection with the investigation of Jace's death. The fatality report states the CPI investigation was due to "neglectful supervision and physical neglect of Jace and his siblings." While she was not directly charged with causing the child's injuries, she was the custodial parent under investigation for neglect and was charged with obstructing the death investigation, implying involvement.

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

The news article identifies Elmer Powell, 21, as the mother's "new boyfriend" who lived with the child. Powell was charged with "injury to a child with intentional bodily injury" in addition to making a false report. The article states Jace "lived with his mother and her new boyfriend."

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

The fatality report states that the CPI investigation was "initiated on July 12, 2022, due to concerns of neglectful supervision and physical neglect of Jace and his siblings," and the death occurred on September 10, 2022 during this open investigation. The news article further corroborates: the father says CPS "had been called earlier this summer regarding his son's welfare," and CPS confirmed "CPS does have history with the family." This clearly establishes a history of child protection reports prior to the death.

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The news article reports that both Lisa Marie Davis and Elmer Powell were arrested. Powell was additionally charged with "injury to a child with intentional bodily injury," and both were charged with "making a false report to a police officer." They were each held on $500,000 bond.

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

Several notable details emerge. First, CPS had an open investigation at the time of Jace's death — the fatality report confirms the CPI case was initiated on July 12, 2022, and Jace died on September 10, 2022 during this active investigation. Second, the news article reports both the mother and boyfriend "are not cooperating with investigators" and were charged with making false reports to police. Third, the child's biological father, Noe Arriaga, expressed anger at CPS, stating "it's too late from y'all" when contacted after the death, and noted he had not been able to see his son in several months despite being suspicious about the child's welfare. These details collectively point to systemic failures in child protective oversight during an active investigation.

Lives Cut Short