A Missouri woman, Quatavia Givens, has been sentenced for the murder of 4-year-old Darnell Gray, whom she was babysitting in Jefferson City in 2018.
Details of the Crime
Darnell disappeared on October 25, 2018, while his father was at work. His remains were discovered five days later. Givens was the father’s girlfriend at the time and was caring for Darnell during his disappearance.
Authorities allege that Givens beat and smothered Darnell and then abandoned his body.
Investigation and Warning Signs
Givens initially told police that the child vanished mysteriously, while she took part in a days-long search for him. Volunteers later expressed suspicion over her behavior, saying she appeared to stage the search and provide overly detailed stories about missing items from the home, including a backpack, coat, hat, gloves, juice boxes, and cookies.
Mary Williams Coley of Missouri Missing Volunteers said, “Looking back, knowing that she was the one that hurt this baby, it just lets you know that this is a master manipulator… she put on a show.”
Volunteer Kathy Mueller added, “Who counts juice boxes? Who checks their cabinet when a child is missing?”
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Givens pleaded guilty earlier this year to:
- Second-degree murder
- Child abuse
- Abandonment of a corpse
Cole County Prosecutor Wm. Locke Thompson announced that Givens was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years, with the possibility of eventual parole.
