CABARRUS COUNTY, NC — Tuesday, Kilah Davenport’s family came face-to-face with the man now charged with her murder. Β Joshua Houser faced a judge in Cabarrus County for a custody hearing involving Kilah’s younger brother.
The Davenports want him to give up his rights to his son, Bladen, who was born while Houser was in jail for abusing Kilah. Β The judge continued the case until January.
“Mr. Houser did what he did to Kilah, and I refuse to let him do that to my other child,” said Kilah’s mother Kirbi Davenport. Β “Bladen is innocent in all of this. Β Bladen is just a baby. Β Kilah was just a baby.”
A jury convicted Houser of felony child abuse in February. Β Kilah died a month later from pneumonia due to complications from her head injuries. Β The case inspired changes to state and federal child abuse laws.
