LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A mother told police she had to get the demons out of her 4-year-old son by baptizing him and holding his body underwater in a bathtub, according to an arrest report obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators.

Amari Taylor, 24, said her child, Ja’Kari Davis died because of “the ritual,” the reports stated.

“When the bath was done, she saw black stuff coming from his nose and mouth, which turned to gray,” according to the report. “She said it was the demons coming out of him.”

Las Vegas Metro police responded to the mother and child’s apartment after several calls for help were made on Dec. 29. The child’s father went to the home after learning about disturbing social media posts made while Taylor had blocked contact with him, the report stated.

“No bs I think that girl having a mental breakdown or something and I’m genuinely scared for her kid,” one social media post read. 

Someone replied, “…she calling everybody a demon kids and all and she posted a video of her going through her son’s hair and she thinks she found a tracker in it and it’s because of the halftime show.”

It is unclear whether any of the individuals who expressed concern on social media contacted police to initiate a welfare check.

The child’s father said when he tried to enter the home, Taylor yelled “flee demon, flee,” according to the report. He said he found his son naked, stiff and cold, lying face up on the bathroom floor. 

Taylor ran out of the apartment while naked and when officers found her in the street, she tried to run away while talking about the devil, according to police.

Detectives later spoke with a social worker therapist who said Taylor called a mental health hotline to inquire about services in July of 2024, the report stated. Taylor was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, major depression without psychotic features and post-traumatic stress disorder. No medication was prescribed, and Taylor completed nine virtual therapy sessions until her insurance lapsed in October, according to the report.

Taylor expressed a desire to continue therapy and an appointment had been scheduled on Dec. 31, to discuss arrangements, the report stated.

Officers had knocked on Taylor’s door the day before the child’s body was found after she had called police to report allegations against her son’s father. Taylor spoke with officers through the door and accused them of trying to enter her home without a warrant, police said.

“Amari was screaming at officers and repeating herself,” the report stated. “She refused to speak with officers, and they cleared the scene without further interaction,” the report stated.

A neighbor told police two days before the child’s body was found, she saw Taylor pacing outside screaming that men are no good and women have a gift between their legs, and that was the first time she had seen Taylor acting erratically, detectives wrote.

A Clark County grand jury indicted Taylor on murder and child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm on March 13, as first reported by the 8 News Now Investigators.

Taylor is scheduled to appear in court in connection with the murder case Wednesday.

In a separate case, Taylor is charged with battery on a protected person, a gross misdemeanor. Taylor struck a Las Vegas Metro police officer with a car door by kicking it on Dec. 29, according to a criminal complaint. 

Clark County District Court Judge Christy Craig found Taylor competent to stand trial on Feb. 14 after an evaluation.

Taylor is currently being held at the Clark County Detention Center. The 8 News Now Investigators requested an interview which Taylor declined.

To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, you are urged to report it. 

The Clark County Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline is (702) 399-0081.