Inglewood man arrested for murder in death of 2-year-old boy from Long Beach, police say

LONG BEACH, Calif. - An Inglewood man was arrested Sunday for the murder of a 2-year-old Long Beach boy who was killed last summer.

Charles Edward Davis Jr., 32, was arrested and booked in Long Beach for murder and assaulting a child resulting in death. His bail was set at $2 million.

William Meeks III, 2, of Long Beach was killed on June 16, 2019. Police said that the toddler was alone with Davis inside a parked car outside a liquor store when Davis allegedly assaulted the boy.

Paramedics who responded to the 900 block of Daisy Avenue initially reported the incident as a medical emergency, but an autopsy report determined the cause of death to be intentional blunt force trauma to the head, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder. 

According to the Long Beach Police Department, Davis is believed to be an acquaintance of the victim’s mother.  

The case is expected to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney sometime this upcoming week. 

Anyone with information can reach Detectives Benjamin Vargas, Mark Mattia and Donald Collier at 562-570-7244. Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips to L.A. Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.