A Florida couple has been charged in connection with the tragic and brutal death of a toddler in September 2024. Zayla Goodwin, 20, and Nathaniel Davis, 23, are now facing charges for allegedly physically and sexually abusing a toddler who, shockingly, had methamphetamine in their system at the time of death.
According to a news release from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the toddler was discovered at a Jacksonville residence on Taurus Cir N. on September 10, 2024. Patrol officers arrived and discovered a young child, rushing them to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Upon arrival, doctors discovered numerous injuries on the child’s body. The toddler died eight days later, on September 18, 2024, and the death was ruled a homicide.
A medical examiner determined that the toddler died from blunt force trauma. Furthermore, at the time of death, the toddler had methamphetamine in their system.
While the sheriff’s office did not provide information about the toddler’s age or gender, WJXT identified him as Zamora Foe, 22 months old, in an October 2024 article. Zamora’s mother was Zayla Goodwin, and her boyfriend was Nathaniel Davis, according to the outlet.
According to WJXT, Zamora went into cardiac arrest once the patrol officers arrived. A warrant stated at the time that bloody bandages and blankets were discovered next to Zamora’s bed.
Furthermore, the search revealed bloody diapers in the trash. The warrant stated that detectives believed Zamora had been sexually abused.
Furthermore, according to the warrant, a woman informed detectives that Zayla, Nathaniel, and Zamora had only moved into the house five days prior to the incident.
According to the woman whose name was redacted, she noticed bruises on Zamora’s body and stopped walking.
Zayla Goodwin allegedly informed the woman that Zamora had injured herself while falling in the bathtub. Goodwin would tell the police the same thing on the day of the incident.
Zayla Goodwin and Nathaniel Davis were charged with child neglect prior to Zamora’s tragic death from her injuries. They both pleaded guilty to their charges. However, months after Zamora’s death, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested the Florida couple and increased their charges.
Zayla Goodwin was charged with aggravated child manslaughter. Nathaniel Davis was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of sexual battery, aggravated child abuse, and tampering with evidence.
“The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will collaborate with the State Attorney’s Office to seek the most severe punishment possible for this heinous crime against an innocent child. “Children are our community’s most valuable asset,” the sheriff’s office stated.
