Our children are our greatest treasures, and we do everything in our power to keep them safe. Their innocence, laughter, and boundless love bring light into our lives, making their well-being our top priority.

That’s why the story of little Ava Ann Marie Tabor is so devastating. A bright and joyful two-year-old girl, she was full of life and love, but her young life was taken in the most horrific way.

Now, a 19-year-old man is behind bars—after allegedly confessing to the brutal beating that ended her life.

A Life Taken Too Soon

Born on November 28, 2022, in Texarkana, Texas, Ava Ann Marie Tabor was a radiant soul with sky-blue eyes and an infectious smile. She loved to dance, play in the kitchen, and brighten every room she entered. Her parents, Levi Landon James Tabor and Kylie Marie Perez, adored her beyond words. The family had built their life together in De Queen, Arkansas, creating a loving home for their precious daughter.

But in early March, their world was shattered.

On that fateful day, 19-year-old Wesley Davis was babysitting Ava. What should have been an ordinary day turned into a nightmare.

According to Sevier County Sheriff Robert Gentry, Davis had been watching Ava at a home in Lockesburg, Arkansas, when he called for medical help after she became unresponsive.

When authorities arrived, the situation quickly escalated. Davis was taken into custody after reportedly confessing to beating the little girl.

A Mother’s Heartbreaking Goodbye

Ava was rushed to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Despite the doctors’ desperate efforts, her injuries were too severe. On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, little Ava took her final breath, leaving behind a devastated family and community.

Her mother, Kylie Perez, poured out her grief in a heartbreaking post on Facebook.

“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!”

Her words captured the unbearable pain of losing a child, a pain no parent should ever have to endure.

From Battery to Murder Charges

Initially, Wesley Davis was charged with first-degree domestic battery. However, after Ava’s tragic passing on March 4, those charges were upgraded to first-degree murder.

On Thursday, Judge Bryan Chesshir set Davis’s bond at $1 million and issued a no-contact order, preventing him from reaching out to Ava’s grieving family.

The weight of Ava’s loss was felt deeply, not only by her family but by the entire community. Her mother, Kylie Perez, described her daughter as a light that brightened every moment.

“My baby did not deserve this. And he [Davis] deserves every bad thing that’s coming to him. And I will not stop until he gets it.”

A Community in Mourning

The tragic death of Ava Ann Marie Tabor sent shockwaves through the community. Sheriff Robert Gentry acknowledged the overwhelming grief and outrage surrounding the case.

“There have been death threats, and we have had threats of bodily injuries and harm to Mr. Davis,” he said.

Authorities are urging the public to remain patient and allow the legal system to run its course. While the pain is unbearable, law enforcement officials are emphasizing that justice will be served through the courts, not through acts of vengeance.

“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 told KSLA.

A Final Act of Kindness

Despite their unimaginable grief, Ava’s family made a profound decision—they chose to donate her organs so that others might have a chance at life.

Even in death, Ava’s light continues to shine. Her legacy of love and joy lives on in those who will receive the gift of life through her family’s selfless act.

Honoring Ava’s Memory

The community is now coming together to honor Ava’s life. A funeral service for Ava Ann Marie Tabor will take place on Thursday, March 13, at 2 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Home in De Queen, Arkansas.

A visitation will be held the evening before, on Wednesday, March 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., also at Chandler Funeral Home.

Friends, family, and community members will gather to remember the precious little girl whose life was stolen far too soon.

A Heartbreaking Reality

Stories like Ava’s are difficult to comprehend. How could anyone harm a child? A child so full of love, laughter, and innocence?

Her death is a tragic reminder of the darkness that sometimes exists in the world, but also of the immense love and resilience that remain.

Ava’s family will never stop seeking justice. The community will never forget her radiant smile. And the impact of her short but beautiful life will forever be felt by those who loved her.

As we mourn this devastating loss, our hearts break for Ava’s family. We grieve with them, and we stand with them in their fight for justice.

Rest in peace, little angel. You will never be forgotten.