Cierra Coker, 24, was found guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 19-month-old Sophia Davis, who died of blunt force trauma while in her care in Lincoln, Illinois. The conviction comes after a previous trial ended in mistrial last August when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Background
Sophia Davis was under Coker's supervision on Feb. 5, 2022, while her father was away. According to testimony, Sophia's mother Casandra Needham had dropped off the toddler that morning after noticing she had a small contusion on her head from bumping into a picnic table. Needham testified that Sophia was teething and running a slight fever, which made the child fussy.
Sophia's 9-year-old sister Paige Davis was also in the apartment during the time Coker was watching both children. According to courtroom coverage by local ABC affiliate WICS, Paige testified that she saw her younger sister bite Coker's finger. Moments later, Coker took Sophia into another room to change her diaper, and the toddler began crying. When Coker emerged from the room, Sophia's mouth was bleeding.
The prosecution presented a two-minute 911 call Coker placed after finding Sophia unresponsive. In the recording, Coker told dispatchers: "She's awake but barely breathing. Her head is tilted like she's dying. I don't know what's going on. Her mouth is bleeding."
The Investigation
EMT Cory Sizemore arrived at the home and testified that Sophia was lifeless with blue lips. The child was initially treated at a local hospital before being flown to St. John's Hospital in Springfield for more critical care.
Dr. Giovanna Caprirolo, who treated Sophia at St. John's, told jurors that medical staff became concerned the toddler had suffered cardiac arrest due to non-accidental trauma. Test results confirmed Sophia was negative for both bacterial and viral infections. The child soon became brain-dead and died three days after being hospitalized.
Needham testified that during a video call earlier on Feb. 6, Coker reported Sophia was sick. When Needham saw blood coming from Sophia's gums and the child appeared not to be breathing, she instructed Coker to perform CPR. According to Needham's testimony, Coker responded she was "not comfortable doing that." When Needham asked for the apartment address, Coker ended the call.
The defense attempted to argue that Sophia experienced developmental delays and had health conditions that caused a natural death. Needham confirmed on cross-examination that Sophia was diagnosed with autism and had early delays in speech and mobility.
The Verdict
Following several days of testimony, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against Coker on Thursday for first-degree murder in Logan County Circuit Court. Previously, Coker faced the same charges in August 2025, but that trial ended in mistrial after jurors proved unable to reach consensus.
"Justice would be the ability to bring [Sophia] back, but we cannot do that for her," Logan County State's Attorney Bradley Hauge said in a statement to local CBS affiliate WCIA. "Instead, we were able to prove that Cierra Coker acted out of anger and took Sophia's life; that Sophia did nothing wrong; and that she did not pass because of a disease or natural causes."
Hauge expressed admiration for Sophia's sister who testified at trial: "I cannot imagine the courage it took for her to testify in front of everyone and relive the worst day of her life, in front of the person who caused it."
Key Takeaways
- Cierra Coker convicted of first-degree murder in death of 19-month-old Sophia Davis in Lincoln, Illinois.
- Prosecution successfully argued the toddler died from blunt force trauma, not natural causes as defense claimed.
- A second trial was required after August 2025 mistrial ended in deadlock.
- Sophia's sister provided crucial testimony about witnessing events leading to the child's injuries.
- Medical evidence showed no bacterial or viral infections; staff identified non-accidental trauma as cause of cardiac arrest.
What's Next
A sentencing date has not yet been set. Coker faces a potential sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison for first-degree murder, though the judge retains discretion over the final term. The case marks the second time Logan County prosecutors have pursued the charges after the initial trial ended without resolution.