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Men convicted in death of 3-year-old Henrico child

Posted at 3:26 PM, Dec 22, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-22 15:29:52-05

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Two men accused in the abuse-related death of three-year-old Zyon Thompson have plead guilty to their roles in the child’s demise. William Corey Moore, 25, pleaded guilty to felony murder and child abuse causing serious injury. Clarence Raiford Jr., 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony child abuse causing serious injury and one count of conspiracy to commit felony child abuse causing serious injury. He also entered an Alford plea to felony murder. That means while he admitted there was enough evidence to convict him, he would not admit guilt.

Alexis Denise Raiford is scheduled to go on trial next month.

Alexis Denise Raiford, William Cory Moore and Clarence Raiford Jr. (PHOTO: Henrico Police)

Alexis Denise Raiford, William Cory Moore and Clarence Raiford Jr. (PHOTO: Henrico Police)

The Raifords were watching Thompson in their eastern Henrico home when they took him to the hospital. He died two days later.

“I am not responsible for Zyon’s death,” Alexis Raiford said in a June jailhouse interview. “I loved Zyon like he was my own child, I promise you that.”

Days before the child’s April death Raiford said she got a call that Zyon had fallen. She also said sometime during that day the little boy had gotten into some crabs and some seasoning. Raiford said the next day she noticed something was not right and said her husband and son took the boy to the hospital.

William Moore, who lived with Raiford and her husband, initially said he did nothing wrong.

This is a developing story.

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