Parents Charged in Sex Abuse, Murder of 10-Week-Old Daughter

Rockville parents have been charged in the sexual abuse and beating death of their 10-week-old daughter, police say.

Robert Alan Davidson, 24, and Lorena Thompson, 22, of the 200 block of East Argyle Street in Rockville, were arrested Friday in the death of their baby, Aleah Thompson.

Montgomery County Police say Robert Davidson was charged with second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, neglect of a minor, sexual abuse of a minor, and second-degree sex offense.

Lorena Thompson has been charged with first-degree child abuse resulting in death, first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, and neglect of a minor, for failing to protect her daughter from chronic physical and sexual abuse inflicted by Davidson.

On June 23, Davidson called 9-1-1 to report that his daughter was not breathing and was unresponsive. Fire and Rescue personnel took the unresponsive baby to a local hospital. She was then flown to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she died from her injuries on June 26. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Washington, D.C. ruled the girl’s manner of death as homicide caused by multiple blunt force injuries.

Davidson reportedly told police that on June 23, Thompson was at work and he was Aleah’s primary caregiver. He said he was playing video games in the living room and heard sounds of labored breathing coming from the bedroom, where he discovered Aleah unresponsive and limp. He then attempted to resuscitate her before calling 9-1-1.

During subsequent interviews, Davidson admitted to committing acts that constitute sexual abuse of a child. He also said that in the past he had dropped Aleah several times and aggressively shook the baby on June 23. He did not obtain medical care for the baby after any of the incidents.

Thompson told investigators she had seen injuries to her daughter, including bruises, on more than one occasion and that the injuries occurred while Aleah was in the care of Davidson. Police say Thompson failed to seek medical care for the infant’s injuries and did not take her to a two-month medical wellness visit.

Thompson has a 5-year-old son from a previous relationship who is now in the custody of his father.

»Photo of Lorena Thompson and Robert Davidson, courtesy of Montgomery County Police