Office of the
Illinois Attorney General
Kwame Raoul

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul obtained a guilty verdict in the jury trial of a Lincoln, Illinois woman in the 2022 murder of 19-month-old Sophia Davis, who was the daughter of her then-boyfriend. 

Cierra Coker, 24, was found guilty by a jury in the Logan County Circuit Court of two counts of first degree murder based on aggravated battery to a child, Class M felonies. She will be sentenced Oct. 6. 

“Sophia Davis should be alive today, and this verdict does not lessen the pain her absence causes her family and loved ones,” Raoul said. “Today’s verdict means justice can finally be served for young Sophia and her family as they continue to heal from something no family should have to live through. I appreciate the professionalism and collaboration with the Lincoln Police Department and Logan County State’s Attorney to ensure Cierra Coker was held accountable.” 

On Feb. 6, 2022, Coker was babysitting Sophia and two other young children while the children’s father and Coker’s then-boyfriend was at work. Coker contacted Sophia’s mother later that day to say Sophia was bleeding from the mouth and not responsive. Sophia was declared dead two days later at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. An autopsy determined Sophia died from traumatic brain injury caused by blunt force trauma to the head, and her death was deemed suspicious. Coker was arrested Feb. 23, 2022 and charged the next day with first degree murder. 

Raoul’s office co-prosecuted this case with Logan County State’s Attorney Bradley Hauge following an investigation by the Lincoln Police Department. 

“This case was about Sophia Davis – a happy and healthy young girl who had her life taken from her. She was loved and she is missed. Justice would be the ability to bring her back, but we cannot do that for her. Instead, we were able to prove that Cierra Coker acted out of anger and took Sophia’s life; that Sophia did nothing wrong; and that she did not pass because of a disease or natural causes,” said Hauge. “I want to express my admiration for Sophia’s sister who testified in the trial. I cannot imagine the courage it took for her to testify in front of everyone and relive the worst day of her life, in front of the person who caused it. My heart is also with Sophia’s mother and father and extended family.” 

Raoul and Hauge’s offices also co-prosecuted Coker in August 2025, a trial that concluded in a mistrial. 

Deputy Bureau Chief Jonathan McKay prosecuted the case for Raoul’s Criminal Prosecutions and Trial Assistance Bureau.