CANTON, Ohio – A silent auction to raise money for the toddler son of a slain pregnant woman will include autographed memorabilia from NBA star LeBron James and other Cleveland professional athletes.
Jessie Davis was killed in her home near North Canton on June 14, leaving behind her 2 1/2-year-old son, Blake.
Her body, still carrying a nearly full-term fetus, was found nine days later about 25 miles away in a remote area of a park, and her police officer boyfriend has been charged with two counts of murder.
Jenn Snyder, a former northeast Ohio resident who lives in Charlotte, N.C., organized the upcoming silent auction after seeing media coverage of the crime.
"I could not believe this was happening in what was my backyard," said Snyder, a marketing manager.
She started Blake's Bright Tomorrow, a nonprofit aimed at raising money for the boy's college education.
Items for the July 21 auction in Hartville, Ohio, include autographed memorabilia from the LeBron James Family Foundation, Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards and Indians players Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez.
Rick Pitinii, an attorney who has represented the Davis family, said the family is touched by Snyder's efforts.
Bobby Cutts Jr., the Canton police officer accused of killing Davis, earlier this month gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on two murder counts, a move his attorney said will help ensure a fair trial by keeping evidence from the public for now.
Cutts, who is the father of Blake Davis, is being held on $5 million bond. Jessie Davis' family says he also was the father of the unborn baby that had been due to be delivered July 3.
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