The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
WH man sentenced to 9 years
Claims former fiancee’s abortions led to Amber Alert
A Willoughby Hills man said his former live-in fiancée provoked him into putting a gun to her head and driving off with her two children because she was threatening to abort their third baby in less than a year.
Officers were called to the 27600 block of Chardon Road around 8:20 a.m. April 4 by a woman who claimed 24-yearold Clarence Davis took her car and then left with her 3-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.
The incident prompted an Amber Alert in that city, but the chil- dren were found unharmed later that day.
Davis previously pleaded guilty to abduction and kidnapping, plus two mandatory gun specifications in Lake County Common Pleas Court.
However, he appeared to deflect the blame onto the woman
before being sentenced to nine years in prison by Judge Vincent A. Culotta.
“I’m scared. But I won’t give up,” Davis told the judge. “She had two children by two different fathers. I was madly in love with her. I wanted to show her I wouldn’t turn my back on her like her other kids’ baby dads did.”
Davis said the woman became pregnant with his child three times in 10 months, and refused to carry them to term.
“I cried,” he said. “I wanted to have a family. When the second abortion came, I was torn apart. There was anger and rage, but we got back together and tried couples therapy. We had another argument and she threatened to kill the last child and I lost it. I had just seen my baby’s toes on the monitor. “
Davis, who served in the military and planned to become a police officer, added that he worked multiple jobs to financially support his ex and her children, whom he baby-sat when she worked.
“I was used,” he said. “Three dead babies in 10 months is not an option. Does anyone here know my pain? It was a traumatic event for my third unborn daughter or son. I am unlike the men who have stood here before me. a good man is going to prison.”
Assistant Lake County Public Defender Susan Grieshammer requested
Davis receive the minimum six-year prison sentence since he had no prior criminal record and made sure the children were handed over safely through a friend.
“She was threatening to have a third abortion and he flipped out,” the defense attorney said.
Assistant County Prosecutor Michael Barth said there is no excuse for the emotional pain Davis caused his ex.
“The victim had a gun pointed at her face. Two days later, she had to watch her children being driven away by this man while he had a gun on him,” Barth said. “Pointing a gun at somebody is just not the answer. Thank God they were returned to their mother unharmed and safe. The defendant tried to take matters into his own hands.”
Culotta said he found Davis showed no remorse.
“The conduct involved here is extremely serious,” said the judge.
Davis remained at large until he turned himself into police two days later.
C levela nd of f icers found the woman’s blue 2014 Hyundai Sonata on West 14th Street, and then turned the car over to the Willoughby Hills Police Department.
In exchange for his plea, three additional charges of attempted abduction, robbery and grand theft were dismissed.
Davis originally pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and then withdrew it.
The victim did not attend the sentencing.