2-year-old Arkansas girl be4ten to de4th

Our children are our greatest treasures, and we do everything in our power to keep them safe. That is what makes the story of little Ava Ann Marie Tabor so devastating. At just two years old, she was a bright, joyful soul who brought happiness to everyone around her. Her life was stolen in the most horrific way, leaving her family and community in unbearable grief.

Born on November 28, 2022, in Texarkana, Texas, Ava was full of life from the moment she arrived. She loved to dance, help in the kitchen, and had a smile that could light up any room. Her big sky-blue eyes held endless wonder, and she was adored by her parents, Levi Landon James Tabor and Kylie Marie Perez. The family built a home in De Queen, Arkansas, where Ava was surrounded by love.

That love was shattered in early March by an unthinkable act. On that fateful day, 19-year-old Wesley Davis was babysitting Ava at a home in Lockesburg, Arkansas. At some point, something went terribly wrong. Davis called for medical assistance after Ava became unresponsive. When first responders arrived, it was clear she was in critical condition.

Sevier County Sheriff Robert Gentry later confirmed that Davis had been arrested after reportedly confessing to beating Ava. The news sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many in disbelief that such a horrific act could be committed against an innocent child.

Ava was rushed to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, where doctors fought desperately to save her. Despite their best efforts, she could not be saved. On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Ava took her final breath, leaving behind a family shattered by loss.

Her mother, Kylie Perez, shared an emotional farewell on Facebook, pouring out her grief and rage. She described the final moments of holding her child, reflecting on the simple, everyday joys she had shared with Ava—the bedtime routines, the car rides filled with singing, the countless kisses.

“Our very last time holding our baby… After two years of putting you to bed, making your bottles, playing with you, waking you up, taking you bye-bye, and listening to your mini concerts in the car… I’ll never get to do that again. No more Ava kisses, no more hearing ‘momma c’mon,’ no more baby loves… WESLEY DAVIS, you took this from me. YOU TOOK MY WORLD. YOU TOOK EVERYTHING I LIVED FOR. I will not stop until you get what you deserve. I LOVE YOU, AVA ANN MARIE TABOR. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MOMMY’S BABY. NEVER FORGOTTEN!”

Following Ava’s passing, authorities upgraded Davis’s initial charge of first-degree domestic battery to first-degree murder. On Thursday, Judge Bryan Chesshir set his bond at $1 million and issued a no-contact order preventing him from reaching out to the victim’s family.

Kylie Perez remains unwavering in her pursuit of justice for her daughter, vowing to hold Davis accountable. “My baby did not deserve this,” she said in a heartbreaking statement. “And he deserves every bad thing that’s coming to him. And I will not stop until he gets it.”

The case has left a profound impact on the community, with emotions running high as people struggle to comprehend such cruelty. Sheriff Robert Gentry acknowledged the widespread anger and sorrow, revealing that Davis has received multiple death threats. “There have been threats of bodily harm, even death threats against Mr. Davis,” he stated.

Authorities are urging the public to allow the legal system to take its course, assuring the community that justice will be served. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her, and we are going to do our best to see that the judicial system takes care of the one that harmed her,” Sheriff Gentry said in an interview with KSLA.

In a final act of love, Ava’s family chose to donate her organs, ensuring that her life would give hope to others. Though they lost their beloved daughter far too soon, they find solace in knowing that her legacy lives on in the lives she has saved.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 13, at 2 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home in De Queen, Arkansas. A visitation will take place the evening before, on Wednesday, March 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the same location.

The pain of losing a child is immeasurable, and no words can ease the heartbreak felt by Ava’s family. Her tragic loss serves as a painful reminder of the need to protect our children. As her family grieves, the community mourns with them, standing in solidarity as they seek justice for their precious little girl.

How anyone could hurt an innocent child is beyond comprehension. Ava Ann Marie Tabor deserved a life filled with love, laughter, and happiness. May she rest in peace, and may her family find strength in the memories they shared with her.