Psych Exam Requested In Baby Case

At Request Of Atty. For Mom Accused Of Using Child As A Weapon

(AP)  Pregnant with her fifth child, Chytoria Graham often walked the streets of her working-class neighborhood, happily pushing her 1-year-old in a stroller while the other children walked alongside her.

"I've never seen her without her kids," said Loretta Ritchie, who lives near Graham. "She always kept the girls' hair combed, dressed real pretty."

But now Graham's children have been taken from her by authorities — except for 4-week-old Jarron. He is in a hospital after a horrific event that has stunned police and prosecutors, and prompted strangers who read about him to offer to adopt the boy: Authorities say she grabbed the infant by his feet and swung him, hitting her boyfriend and fracturing the baby's skull.

"Unfortunately, I have seen child abuse cases upfront," said Capt. Frank Kwitowski, a 20-year Erie police officer. "But this is the first time I've seen a child actually picked up and used as a weapon."

David Kolko, a professor of psychiatry, psychology and pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, said child abuse most often happens because of a direct conflict with the child. This case, though, doesn't seem to follow the rule.

"But we only hear about the tragedies and the bad cases and we assume this is an exception," Kolko said. "We have a very skewed view of what physical abuse means."

The abuse Graham is accused of is rare, but not unheard of, said Judith Cohen, medical director of Allegheny General Hospital's Center for Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents, a Pittsburgh center that sees more than 300 patients annually.

"Many children die every year from their parents beating and battering them," she said.

Erie County's Office of Children and Youth, like other child welfare agencies in the state, can't comment on whether Graham had a history of abuse. But defense attorney Alison Scarpitti said: "There's nothing in her background (to indicate) she would do anything to harm a child."

Police say Graham told them she had been drinking and "snapped." Her attorneys say Graham, who is unemployed and lives with her boyfriend, 20-year-old Deangelo Troop, could be suffering from postpartum depression, possibly even battered-woman syndrome.

Police were told Thursday that Jarron, who was delivered by Caesarean section Sept. 11, was in serious but stable condition in a drug-induced coma at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The baby emerged from the coma on Friday, according to police.

Police arrived at Graham and Troop's apartment at about 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 8, finding broken household items, furniture knocked over and paramedics treating Jarron.

Graham told investigators she was out drinking the night before and argued with Troop when she got home. The argument turned to shoving and pushing.

As Jarron lay in bed wrapped in a blanket, police say, Graham grabbed the infant and swung him at Troop.

When Graham put the child down, they said, Troop punched her in the eye. Graham called 911.

Graham was jailed in lieu of $75,000 (euro59,760) bail, charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, simple assault and reckless endangerment.

Scarpitti said her client was traumatized and kept inquiring about Jarron and her other children. Scarpitti wants Graham to undergo psychological evaluation.

David Agresti, defense co-counsel, believes there's no doubt that Graham is a victim of domestic abuse. "Neighbors have stated it was routine at the house," he said. Police are investigating.

Graham has no criminal record; Troop was arrested in June and charged with possession of crack cocaine and other crimes for allegedly fleeing from police after being involved in a domestic dispute, court records indicate. He faces a preliminary hearing in November.

Graham's other children, ranging in age from 9 to 1, are in the custody of their maternal grandmother, Gloria Graham. Troop is the father of the 1-year-old and Jarron.

Scarpitti says Graham remembers little about the incident.

"She remembers walking in that night and she remembers her baby after the incident," Scarpitti said. "She doesn't remember her time with police."

Agresti insists Graham's possible mental state shouldn't be ignored.

"Using the child as a weapon — that is not a symptom that is so common," said Koushik Mukherjee, a psychiatrist with Mercy Behavioral Health in Pittsburgh.

Postpartum depression can lead to psychotic behavior in some women "where they can get aggressive or violent toward the baby, where they don't want the baby," he said.

Investigators are focusing on facts, not speculation about Graham's mental state.

"The facts are there's an injured baby and (Graham) said she did it," Kwitowski said. "The arguments come later."

[sparkeee35]

omg...let's have someone please come on here & teach us how to type & talk on the internet. Maybe we should have a class on here to teach everyone how to talk on here without shouting...so that the people (in the uk) don't get upset. WHATEVER !!!!!!! Sorry 4 offending anyone with the few words that I did uppercase...soooo petty & tedious & soooo beside the freakin point.

[hermit22]

The teacher told the class the father was a drunk with sypilis,the mother was mentally ill, the eldest son was deaf, the other children had plenty of problems and now the mother was pregnant with her 5th. "What would you reccomend?" he asked the class.

Most suggested abortion.

The teacher said, "Congratulations. You have just killed Beathoven!" (can't spell. BAY-toven

Father has prior record for cocaine possession?
History of spousal (or partner) abuse.
No job?
Mother pregnant with 5th child.
Drunk to the point of losing her memory.
Having a violent arguement in front of her children.
Tearing up the house.
Keeping a jobless, violent drug abuser around her babies.

Not to mention that almost killing the baby thing. In an attempt to kill his father.

Doesn't an eye for an eye sound appealing? Who wouldn't feel that swinging her by her feet into something fairly solid wasn't fair? Who doesn't think she should be additionaly charged for mental abuse of those other children? Maybe even touture?

People like her are THE arguement for forced sterilization. It's too bad she wasn't stopped 6 kids ago though. Assuming the in vitro one survives the alcohol.

[pknuts1]

Hi, my comment has nothing to do with the story, but with the protocols of the internet. Such as, the use of UPPER CASE. That is considered as SHOUTING and is not acceptable (certainly in the UK). I always have a problem with these sites because they are not case sensitive, and that is an on-going battle.

[sparkeee35]

I stand corrected on my opinions of what I think should be done. I too have had postpartum depression...with the help of family & friends...I was able to pull myself together & make it through it. True there is usually more than one person to blame for the tragedies...take Andrea Yates for example...her doctor...ESPECIALLY her husband...should have had to explain WHY she was still taking care of her children...when she HAD been diagnosed with the MANY kinds of depressions she was experiencing...WAY BEFORE she ever commited the heinous crimes she did to her children. I have no sympathy for her...but like its been said here...more than ONE person stands to be held accountable. Which could explain WHY Rusty Yates stood by his wife throughout her trial...he KNEW she was MESSED UP. I DO apologize for stating my opinions...I was stating them for the childrens benefit...someone has to speak up for the children.

[califnan]

Whoa people, I think you should read the article again. The baby was 4 weeks old, you are confused with the first paragraph..That was when she was pregnant with Jarron, at the time of the incident Jarron is 4 months old. Battering of any person is WRONG. But unless you have had 5 children and postpartum depression don't be so quick to judge. There are more than one person to blame here. The neighbors should have reported the abuse, the Police could then notify Child Protective Services and this family may have gotten some help. I have 5 children, I had PDepression but I also had a loving family and friends. Look deep before you hang this person...

[sparkeee35]

Plus...it takes a sick & twisted man to beat up on a woman. They said she had battered woman syndrome...PLUS she was drinking. The evidence was in the house when the police arrived to arrest someone...the house was all tore up. It makes me sick to hear about a "supposed" man...who beats up on a woman...ESPECIALLY in front of the children. Its NOT RIGHT for those babies to be subjected to seein their mom beat up. Much less be in the same house when that *** is happening. There's NO EXCUSE for her behavior to the baby...but there is NO EXCUSE for him beating up on her either. Apparently this had happened before. My heart goes out to those babies...the horror they must have seen AND endured while living in that DYSFUNCTIONAL household. Neither one of them DESERVE to be parents. It takes a SPECIAL person to be a MOTHER or a FATHER...neither one of these idiots QUALIFY. BOTH of them should be "FIXED" to where they don't bring anymore children in to THAT kind of world. I'm sure her lawyer will use the "battered woman syndrome" in her defense...which sickens me...because what do they call what she did to those babies? He should be charged as well.

[sparkeee35]

I agree with all the posts...the children don't deserve to be brought into this world...if there isn't someone who can support them...nuture them...love them...cherish them. The horror those babies must have seen & lived through. The only reason it is in press...is because of the damage she did THIS time. No telling how many OTHER times she did crazy things in front of AND to these children & they managed to survive. Pregnant AND drunk...WOW!!!!My heart goes out to those babies. They didn't ask to be brought in to that kind of world. Postpartum depression & alcohol...yeaha that makes for a healthy relationship and family life. No telling what all those kids have been subjected to...seen & heard. Father unemployed...mother drinking so much she picks up the baby & uses it as a weapon. What's really sad...is there are people in this world...who would LOVE to have a child of their own...yet this woamn had 5...and she abused them...mentally & emotionally...for the rest of their little lives. They will always wonder and think...what did they do to deserve such a terrible life.

[peaceforusa]

To mntndreamn

The baby was only 4 weeks old, not a year old...but I agree with the rest of your post.

[peaceforusa]

I agree. Post-partum is just another excuse to get away with these crimes and I hope to God that she doesn't get off by using that as a defense. This woman was a baby mill. 5 kids and another on the way. If she had post partum depression why is she still having kids. How about birth control??? I will raise all kinds of hell if she gets off on this charge. She was drunk and couldn't handle her rage. What I think happened is the baby got up and needed fed/changed..she was too drunk to care for it and when daddy wouldn't get up to help she flipped. What was she doing out drinking when she is pregnant again anyway? She couldn't handle her booze and this is a crime and she should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and she should never be allowed to have any children in her care. Too many children are born to crazed mothers like this and the children suffer. If I were the husband she would have had more than one black eye!

Praying for this little guy to recover and lead a normal life, hopefully with someone who loves him.

[mylitlangls3]

This sickens me...too often women use the excuse of postpartum depression as an excuse to stay out of prison for hurting their children. Just look at Yates. What sickens me even more is to hear that people feel sorry for women like Yates. What about her kids? Doesn't anyone feel for her kids and the horror they went through while their own mother who is supposed to protect them drowned them instead? If you don't want your children put them up for adoption. There are PLENTY of LOVING and CARING people out there who will take these children and give them the love they deserve.