How Could You? Hall of Shame-Tylashia Grant case-child death UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Florence, South Carolina, a missing case from 2011 reveals that foster child Tylashia Grant, 3, was pronounced dead on January 25, 2011.

“Florence County’s coroner, Bubba Matthews, says Tylashia Grant was already dead when a relative brought her to the emergency room Tuesday with burns on her body. And though he’s not sure if that’s what caused her death, doctors called police.”

“Deputies arrested Jeraldine Brockington, the child’s great aunt, and Kesia Grant, the child’s cousin. Both were taking care of the child, according to deputies. They’re both charged with homicide by child abuse.

Capt. Mike Nunn, with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office says additional charges against the women are possible.

Neighbors say they didn’t have much contact with the family but often saw Tylashia getting off the school bus and walking home by herself. They say they often wondered why someone wasn’t there to meet the little girl.

The young life cut short has touched the hearts of so many, including investigators working the case. “These cases are particularly heartbreaking, and our investigators do a very special job with work and it touches us all,” Nunn said.

The women are expected to appear in court Thursday morning for a bond hearing.”
Two women face charges in toddler’s death
[Carolina Live 1/26/11 by Tonya Brown]

“Jeraldine Brockington, 42, and Kesia Grant, 23, were in a Florence courtroom Thursday for an initial appearance in front of Magistrate Judge Belinda Timmons.”

“In court Thursday afternoon, the lead investigator described the crime as one of the most horrific cases she’s ever worked and says Tylashia Grant faced a difficult life from the time she was born.

Brockington’s daughter, Kendra Grant, says her mother had legal custody of Tylashia, through the Department of Social Services, from the time she was an infant. A DSS representative attended the hearing, but did not speak.

Tylashia’s biological mother, Temaka Grant, was in the courtroom along with the child’s father. Tameka sobbed throughout the proceedings, as did the suspects. Temaka Grant declined to speak with us.

Kesia Grant has two biological children, ages 2 and 7. DSS has removed them from the home.

Kesia Grant and Jeraldine Brockington are expected back in court next week for a bond hearing.”

“Florence School District One officials say Tylashia was enrolled in a child development program at Carver Elementary School in Florence until a few weeks ago when her mother withdrew her from the program.”

“Tylashia suffered from burns, contusions on her head, and cuts on her scalp.”
Funeral services scheduled for 3-year-old Tylashia Grant
[Carolina Live 1/28/11 by Tonya Brown]

“Ty’Lashia’s paternal grandmother Vivian Andrews said the little girl and her mother Temaka Grant lived with Andrews for months after Ty’Lashia was born on February 24, 2007. Andrews acknowledges that her son, Ty’Lashia’s father, was not actively involved with the family. Andrews claims while she was on a two-week trip out of town later in 2007, Brockington filed a complaint with the Department of Social Services in which she requested DSS to remove Ty’Lashia from Andrews’ home.

“A DSS spokesperson in Columbia released the following statement in regards to the case:

Grandmother, DSS at odds over death of toddler
[WMBF 2/7/11]

“Florence County Magistrate Belinda Timmons set a $15,000 surety bond Friday” for Kendra Grant, 21, on the charge of accessory after the fact of a felony.

“Grant is not to have any contact with family of victim — “not even through Facebook.”

Judge sets bond for third woman charged in child’s death
[SC Now 2/18/11 by John D. Russell]

“Last month, NewsChannel 15 filed a Freedom of Information request with the Department of Social Services concerning Tylashia Grant, 3, of Florence. We wanted to find out if DSS had received any complaints about Tylashia’s care before her death on January 25.”

“Two weeks ago, deputies arrested Kendra Grant, Jeraldine’s daughter, and charged her with accessory after the fact of a felon in Tylashia’s death. Officers say she was present when the child received injuries which lead to her death and failed to report it.

In answering our FOIA request, DSS officials tell us they received three complaints about Tylashia’s care before her death. Agency officials say the nature of the complaints and the agency’s response to them are under investigation as part of the DSS child family protocol.

DSS says they are prohibited from providing additional information, access to and/or copies of the information NewsChannel 15 requested.

The agency is conducting an internal investigation into the custody of Tylashia Grant from beginning to end.

DSS officials say they’re trying to determine if they did everything they were supposed to do in accordance with the policy.”

DSS investigated complaints before the death of Florence child
[Carolina Live 3/1/11 by Tonya Brown]

“Jeraldine Brockington, 42, and her daughter, Kesia Grant, 23, appeared before Florence County Magistrate Belinda Timmons for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.”

“A preliminary hearing was done at the request of the suspects’ attorneys. The purpose of the hearing was to determine if the state can show there is probable cause that the suspects committed the crime.
Solicitor Ed Clements said autopsy results show Tylashia died from both burns on her body and the toxic effect of medications in her system which caused complications of the third degree burns. An autopsy showed the girl had codine and morphine in her system. And deputies say the child’s body was covered in burns, many of them old. They say Brockington and Grant used medications to treat the child, but didn’t take her to the hospital until a week and a half later.

Investigator Jennifer Floyd with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office explained to Judge Timmons, “I did meet with Kesia who stated that she was present when the burn happened and she used over-the-counter medication to treat that and also statement from Jeraldine that she also helped treat it at home with over-the-counter ointments.”

Solicitor Clements asked Investigator Floyd about how the burns occurred.

“Kesia states that the burn occurred when she was cooking noodles in the microwave and she had the bowl in her mouth and it dropped onto the back of the baby (Tylashia),” said Floyd.

Floyd says they did have testing completed with microwaves and bowls. She said workers at Care House of the Pee Dee also interviewed a six-year-old child who lives in the home about what happened.

“We also had the other child in the residence seen at the Care House who disclosed to us that Kesia poured hot water into the front and the back of the child’s diaper because she used the bathroom without letting them know,” said Floyd.”
Two women charged in death of 3-year-old appear in court
[Carolina Live 4/27/11 by Tonya Brown]

No other media articles can be found at this time.

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

Update/March 5, 2013: “One of two local women charged with homicide by child abuses in the death of a 3-year-old girl will spend 27 years in prison for her role in the child’s death.

Kesha Grant, now 24, of 1283 Badger Lane in Florence, pleaded guilty Monday to homicide by child abuse in the death of her young cousin Ty’Lashia Grant in general sessions court in Florence.

Autopsy reports show Ty’Lashia died Jan. 25, 2011, as a result of septis from second- and third-degree burns about her buttocks and genitals and the toxic effects from adult pain medication given to her after the burns. Grant also suffered head injuries and other signs of abuse.

Florence County Sheriff’s Investigator Jennifer Floyd said Grant “poured pans of scalding hot water down the front and back of the child’s underwear” in an effort to potty-train her.

Ty’Lashia was then forced to sleep on the floor on “pee-pads” used for animals because she failed to become potty-trained. Ty’Lashia, who was developmentally disabled and also suffered from cerebal palsy, was left to suffer for at least seven days. By the time she was taken to the hospital, the burns had become severely infected and Ty’Lashia was unresponsive.

“These burns were intentional – all because Ty’Lashia wet her pants,” Floyd told Circuit Judge Michael Nettles prior to sentencing Monday. “She told us she remembers Ty’Lashia screaming in pain, but instead of going to the hospital, she was worried about her own self and going to jail.”

Ty’Lashia had been removed from her mother’s home by the Department of Social Services and placed with her great aunt, 44-year-old Geraldine Brockington, who was her legal guardian. Brockington also is charged with homicide by child abulse.

Sandra Sturkie, executive director for Florence County’s S.C. Department of Social Services office, said the agency typically tries to place children with family members rather than in foster care. She said in this case, the department made a mistake.

“We as an agency try to place children with family members or loved ones, because it’s less traumatizing for them than foster care, but in this case, we learned that was the wrong decision. Ty’Lashia was tortured and allowed to suffer,” Sturkie said.

Sturkie also testified that Kesha Grant’s own 6-year-old son told social workers he was forced to participate in the “torture” by heating the pans of water in the microwave and witnessed his mother scalding his young cousin.

“He said his mother told him, ‘I’m trying to show her how to be potty-trained,’” Sturkie said, adding both of Kesha Grant’s children are in good homes and in counseling.

Ty’Lashia Grant was a student at Carver Elementary School at the time of her death, and several school representatives were in court including Ty’Lashia’s teacher, Meagan Johnson, who said the child’s death has been devastating for the entire school.

“She was a child who was truly loved by everyone,” Johnson said, adding that teachers and students called the child Lil’ Bit because she wasn’t even 3 feet tall and weighed just 26 pounds.

“She was much smaller than the other children, but the name also fit, because no matter the circumstances, Ty’Lashia made each day a lil’ bit brighter,” Johnson said. “Ty’Lashia had a great impact in the short time she was with us, but the greater impact this tragedy can have is to prevent anything like this happening to another child.”

Kesha Grant’s attorney Scott Floyd said despite the horrific nature of his client’s actions, she has no prior record and is extremely remorseful for what she did.

“I believe a lot of this was due to ignorance, no maliciousness,” Floyd said. “She’s always expressed a lot of remorse. She’s not a monster. She’s not a person with no conscience.”

Kesha Grant also addressed the judge prior to sentencing.

“I didn’t take her to the hospital because I didn’t want to get in trouble. I was scared, but part of being an adult is taking responsibility for your actions, I take full responsibility but I am asking for you to forgive me. It doesn’t take life for me to learn my lesson. So please be merciful to me. Please,” Kesha Grant said.

Nettles took a brief recess to consider sentencing. Before rendering the sentence, he explained that he weighed the severity of the crime and also the fact that Kesha Grant has no prior record and most probably would not be a danger to society when released.

Grant will be given credit for the 626 days she’s served in the Florence County Detention Center in Effingham since her arrest, but she is not eligible for parole and will serve her sentence day for day. She faced a maximum sentence of life without parole.

Brockington’s other daughter, 21-year-old Kendra Grant of 1283 Badger Lane, Florence, was arrested by Florence County sheriff’s deputies a month after the child’s death and charged with being an accessory after the fact of a felony.

“Investigators allege that (Kendra Grant) was present at or about the time the child received injuries leading to her death and failed to report the same or attempt to obtain medical attention for the child,” Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Nunn said in a press release issued at the time of her arrest. Kendra Grant is out of jail on a $15,000 surety bond, according to detention center reports.

Brockington’s case is scheduled to be resolved later this week, Clements said.”

Florence woman sentenced to 27 years in ‘torture’ death of 3-year-old cousin

[SC Now 10/8/12 by Traci Bridges]
”
The second woman charged with homicide by child abuse in the death of a 3-year-old girl was sentenced to 23 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to her role in the tragedy.

Geraldine Brockington, 44, of 825 N. Dargan St., Florence, said she didn’t actively participate in pouring pans of scalding hot water down the front and back of Ty’Lashia Grant’s underwear in an effort to potty-train her. But she was her legal guardian and admitted she didn’t take her to the hospital to be treated for the severe burns until at least five days later when the child became unresponsive.

Autopsy reports show Ty’Lashia died Jan. 25, 2011, as a result of septis from second- and third-degree burns about her buttocks and genitals and the toxic effects from adult pain medication given to her after the burns. Grant also suffered head injuries and other signs of abuse.

“I’m guilty, your honor. I’m guilty of neglect. I was there,” Brockington told Circuit Judge Michael Nettles.

“I was selfish. I said I was not going to go down for something I didn’t do,” Brockington said. “Ty’Lashia was a good child. I loved her and she loved me and she deserved so much better. This time, when she needed me most, I failed her. My stupid decision that day not to go get her help cost her her life. There’s no punishment you can give me today, your Honor, that I haven’t already given myself.”

Earlier this week, Brockington’s 24-year-old daughter Kesha Grant pleaded guilty Monday to homicide by child abuse in Ty’Lashia’s death. Grant was sentenced to 27 years after Florence County Sheriff’s Investigator Jennifer Floyd revealed Grant “poured pans of scalding hot water down the front and back of the child’s underwear” in an effort to potty-train her.

Ty’Lashia was then forced to sleep on the floor on “pee-pads” used for animals because she failed to become potty-trained. Ty’Lashia, who was developmentally disabled and also suffered from cerebal palsy, was left to suffer for at least five to seven days. By the time she was taken to the hospital, the burns had become severely infected and Ty’Lashia was unresponsive.

“The distinction, if any, between Miss Brockington and Miss Grant is Miss Grant’s was a sin of commission, Miss Brockington’s was one of omission,” 12th Circuit Solicitor Ed Clements III said Friday morning. He said that while Brockington apparently did not pour the scalding water on Ty’Lashia, she allowed the punishment to occur and did not seek medical help for the child.

Ty’Lashia had been removed from her mother’s home by the Department of Social Services and placed with Brockington, who was her legal guardian.

Sandra Sturkie, executive director for Florence County’s S.C. Department of Social Services office, said Monday the agency typically tries to place children with family members rather than in foster care. She said in this case, the department made a mistake.

“We as an agency try to place children with family members or loved ones, because it’s less traumatizing for them than foster care, but in this case, we learned that was the wrong decision. Ty’Lashia was tortured and allowed to suffer,” Sturkie said.

Sturkie also testified that Kesha Grant’s own 6-year-old son told social workers he was forced to participate in the “torture” by heating the pans of water in the microwave and witnessed his mother scalding his young cousin.

Ty’Lashia Grant was a student at Carver Elementary School at the time of her death, and several school representatives were in court including Ty’Lashia’s teacher, Meagan Johnson, who said the child’s death has been devastating for the entire school.

Brockington’s other daughter, 21-year-old Kendra Grant of 1283 Badger Lane, Florence, was arrested by Florence County sheriff’s deputies a month after the child’s death and charged with being an accessory after the fact of a felony.

“Investigators allege that (Kendra Grant) was present at or about the time the child received injuries leading to her death and failed to report the same or attempt to obtain medical attention for the child,” Florence County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Nunn said in a press release issued at the time of her arrest. Kendra Grant is out of jail on a $15,000 surety bond, according to detention center reports.”

Brockington sentenced to 23 years in scalding death of 3-year-old

[SC Now 10/12/12 by Traci Bridges]