In a case involving the abuse and murder of their 18-month-old foster child, two parents from Blount County entered not-guilty pleas.
In connection with the death that occurred in November 2023, Brooklyn and Mason Grimes are facing charges of aggravated child abuse, felony murder, intentional murder, and capital murder of a child under the age of 14.
Richard S. Jaffe is the defense attorney for Mason Grimes.
“They could’ve given up this child anytime they wanted but for months and months and months, well over a year, they did everything they could possible do to help this child, ” said Jaffe. “Nobody that serves as foster parents for 18 children and adopts two would want to do anything to harm the children. They were devastated.”
After the child was identified with “multiple congenital disorders,” court filings stated that the parents deliberately withheld medical care and food from the child. According to the authorities, the youngster thrived for a year while living with the Grimes. Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital made the diagnosis in September 2023.
The patient underwent genetic testing.
In October, the kid was supposed to go back for another checkup at the clinic.
The prosecution claims that the Grimes failed to return the child or respond to attempts to reschedule.
Legal records show that the Grimes rushed their unresponsive infant to St. Vincent’s Blount on November 22, 2023.
They said the kid was “severely emaciated, asystolic, and cool to the touch.”
According to the state, the boy has dropped one-third of his body weight since September, and there is no proof that he sought medical attention following his diagnosis. According to Jaffe, the Grimes did in fact schedule subsequent medical visits.
“They were insistent, insistent on getting genetic testing. If they hadn’t gone and got the swabs from the natural parents of Z, and pushed that genetic testing. Why would they do that if they didn’t love that child and want that child to nourish,” said Jaffe.
He mentioned records and notes that demonstrated the Grimes’ careful attention to the child’s requirements.
“Even the medical examiner’s autopsy report shows an undetermined cause of death and a manner of death to be associated with malnutrition associated with a serious genetic defect,” said Jaffe. “Little premature children that have that defect present with all of these malnourishment issues that the Grimes were having.”
The child, according to Jaffe, needed a feeding tube inserted into his nose in order to be fed.
“If you didn’t have that feeding tube in perfectly, the child would not get nourishment. They went time and time again back to the doctor’s office. Different doctor’s offices. A litany of doctors. They were told ‘children can be fussy.’ This is in the records. ‘Children can be fussy, but he’s okay,'” said Jaffe.
“This child was so genetically deformed, so genetically impacted that all of these symptoms that presented, I am just not sure this child ever had a chance. I believe ultimately that will come to light.”
The living status of the Grimes has been the subject of speculation and inquiry. According to Jaffe, the couple had to make some changes when their house burned down. Two days prior to the child’s death, he asserted, DHR paid a visit to the Grimes.
The pretrial proceedings involving Mason and Brooklyn Grimes are scheduled to resume in November.