Authorities press for info on missing boy

Authorities still trying to persuade suspect to provide information on missing Spotsylvania boy.

By KARI PUGH

Date published: 11/6/2004

By KARI PUGH Detectives hope suspect will help them find Tyreek

Three weeks after authorities charged his mother's boyfriend with murder, the body of 3-year-old Tyreek Davis still has not been found.

Herman Lee Black, 45, faces a Jan. 26 preliminary hearing on a second-degree murder charge in the little boy's disappearance and has refused to talk to detectives and prosecutors.

"We have made overtures in an attempt to get Mr. Black to talk to us," Spotsylvania Commonwealth's Attorney Bill Neely said. "We're awaiting his response. He's the only one who can tell us where to find Tyreek."

Tyreek has been missing since Sept. 29, after spending the day in Black's care. Detectives charged Black after he gave authorities three stories about what happened to the boy.

The convicted felon originally told police that he'd taken Tyreek with him to cut wood in western Spotsylvania and then to the Central Park Wal-Mart to buy a part for his saw. Black said the boy disappeared from the vehicle while Black was inside the store.

A few days later, he changed his story, saying Tyreek disappeared along Granite Springs Road in western Spotsylvania, where Black was cutting wood that day.

A massive search of the area near Lake Anna turned up no signs that Tyreek had ever been there.

In mid-October, Black gave a third version of what happened that day, but did not acknowledge killing the child, or even knowing the boy is dead.

Police would not release details about Black's latest account, but sources said it involves Tyreek falling and hitting his head while riding in Black's van.

The murder charge stems from the theory that Black lost his temper with the child and reacted without premeditation, Neely said.

Black is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

To reach KARI PUGH: 540/374-5413 kpugh@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 11/6/2004