ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A St. Paul woman has been charged in the death of a baby left in her care.
Tyanna Jabree Graham, 19, was charged Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court with unintentional second-degree murder in the death of 5-month-old Jamir P. Dunagan, the Pioneer Press (https://bit.ly/2kqPdkV ) reported.
Doctors at a local hospital determined the infant suffered a severe brain injury. The county medical examiner’s office said traumatic head injuries due to “physical assault” caused bleeding in his brain. The boy also had a cut on his lip and bruises and bleeding on his left lung.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Graham has an attorney to speak on her behalf.
Court documents say Graham gave conflicting accounts when interviewed by police. She told 911 operators the child had fallen from a couch and was having breathing trouble. She said later that his injuries may have occurred when she dropped him after tripping over a ball.
She eventually said she had been frustrated that she had to care for the child when she wanted to go out. She told authorities she may have shaken him for up to 5 seconds while she was “blacked out.” Police said they found text messages on her cellphone indicating her frustration.
Genevieve Hyatt, a cousin of Jamir’s mother, said the family is angry, confused and heartbroken over his death.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said the Jamir’s death was an “absolutely preventable” tragedy.
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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, https://www.twincities.com
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