Mother and fiancé charged in child abuse death of 6-year-old

BALTIMORE -- A Baltimore City mother and her fiancé have been charged in connection to the death of 6-year-old Brian Graham.

Jalesia Offer, 34, and Brandon Wheatley, 34 called emergency responders to their apartment in the 6300 block of Greenspring Avenue on August 21 after the child was found unresponsive in a tub of hot water, according to a statement of charges. 

During an interview with police, Offer said she was in the kitchen cooking when her fiancé took Graham into the bathroom to shower.  

Offer said a short time later, she walked past the bathroom and noticed Wheatley slumped over, and Graham was unresponsive in a tub of hot water. 

Charging documents state Wheatley informed police of a medical condition that causes him to fall asleep when he sits down.

After waking up Wheatley, Offer said the two pulled Graham from the water, put burn cream on his body and began performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

Despite life-saving measures, Graham died at Sinai Hospital.

A responding officer noted the child had bruising and severe burns. 

The mother claimed the burns came from the hot bath and admitted punching and slapping her child earlier that week after accusing Graham of taking money from her purse, charging documents reveal.

Police said Wheatley also admitted to getting physical during "play fights."

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the 6-year-old's death was a homicide after discovering multiple fractured ribs, a lacerated liver and internal bleeding in the head and torso, records state. 

Court records uncovered by WJZ show the biological father of Graham filed for custody of the 6-year-old in January of this year. 

The next hearing in the petition case was scheduled for Tuesday, August 27.

During the police investigation, an 8-year-old sibling was also found with signs of suspected child abuse.

Investigators report finding the boy with bruises on his face and was unable to lift his left arm, charging documents state.

The child was taken into the custody of Child Protective Services while an investigation is ongoing. 

WJZ requested CPS confirm whether Offer had any interactions with the agency prior to Graham's death but did not immediately hear back. 

"If anyone comes across a child suspected of being a victim of child abuse, please call 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, call our Crime Stoppers network at 1-866-7LOCKUP," Freddie Talbert with the Baltimore Police Department said.