Police Report Uncovers Allegations Against Suspect in Dodd Murder

A newly released police report has revealed a troubling investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct involving Jurrell Davis, who is now charged with the murder of 16-year-old Zariah Dodd. The 73-page document from the Avondale Police Department details an investigation into Davis for 28 charges of sexual misconduct involving a different minor, a 17-year-old girl, that began in April 2025, months before Dodd’s tragic death.

Zariah Dodd was found shot and killed in Phoenix’s Marivue Park on July 5, 2025, while she was nearly six months pregnant with Davis’s child. The report indicates that police had prior knowledge of allegations against Davis, who was not assigned a probation officer despite pleading guilty to violating a protection order in a separate case.

Evidence from the investigation links Davis to the 17-year-old girl, identified as Aniya Morris. According to the report, detectives had knowledge of the relationship well before Dodd’s murder. Court documents reveal that Dodd informed her caseworker at the Department of Child Safety (DCS) in December 2024 about being coerced into sexual encounters with Davis. The caseworker promptly reported this information to law enforcement in April 2025.

Details of the Investigation

The police report shines a light on the disturbing nature of the allegations. Digital evidence indicates that Davis had been in contact with Morris, instructing her to send him photographs and explicit messages. In one instance, he requested images of every meal she ate and nude photos of herself. Despite this evidence, Morris reportedly denied any sexual relationship with Davis during a forensic interview conducted by Phoenix police in July 2024.

Adrianne Morris, the mother of the alleged victim, expressed frustration over the handling of the investigation. “I provided three phones, I provided screenshots, voice recordings, text messages, everything that I could find digital,” she stated. “This is not information they just got over the last few weeks. They’ve had this information… they got it.”

The investigation also raises serious concerns regarding Davis’s supervision after previous legal issues. After pleading guilty to violating a protection order in January 2025, he was placed on unsupervised probation in September 2024. Avondale police have stated that this did not prevent him from contacting Morris via social media, leading to questions about the effectiveness of the supervision measures in place.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The Avondale Police Department has faced scrutiny for its response to the allegations against Davis. A police spokesperson indicated that the department began investigating Davis in April 2025 based on information provided by Morris. They attempted to locate him for an interview when they learned of his arrest on unrelated charges in Phoenix.

As the legal proceedings continue, Davis is facing trial for his alleged crimes in December 2025, while the murder trial concerning Zariah Dodd is scheduled for April 2026. Both Davis and another suspect, Jechri James-Gillett, are charged with first-degree murder in connection with Dodd’s death.

The implications of this case extend beyond the individuals involved, raising critical questions about the systems in place to protect vulnerable minors. As the trials approach, the community remains on high alert, seeking justice for Zariah Dodd and accountability for the alleged misconduct that preceded her death.