Alabama foster parents accused of killing emaciated 18-month-old

BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. (TCN) -- The foster parents of an 18-month-old who arrived at the hospital emaciated and cold to the touch are facing multiple charges in connection with the child’s death.

According to a press conference held by Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon, on Nov. 22, 2023, the sheriff’s office responded to a report of the boy’s death at a hospital emergency room. Moon said the toddler was "skin and bones," and medical staff informed deputies the victim was not breathing upon his arrival. The child was pronounced dead that day.

Court records cited by WBMA-TV say Mason Grimes and Brooklyn Grimes began caring for the toddler as foster parents in August 2022 when he was 3 months old. The toddler "flourished" for nearly a year. However, in September of the following year, the child had reportedly been diagnosed with multiple congenital disorders. The victim was scheduled for a follow-up appointment in October 2023, but his foster parents allegedly failed to take the boy to the hospital.

The couple reportedly sought medical care in November 2023 because their foster son wasn’t breathing. Upon his arrival, the toddler was allegedly "severely emaciated, asystolic, and cool to the touch." Moon said the victim lost 50% of his body weight. Court documents obtained by WBMA allege the foster parents caused the boy’s death by denying him medical care and proper nourishment.

Mason Grimes and Brooklyn Grimes face charges of capital murder of a child, intentional murder, felony murder, and aggravated child abuse. They remain held in the Blount County Jail without bond. If convicted, the couple’s charges are punishable by death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to WBMA, the victim had a case worker who performed periodic visits, and the foster parents did not have any concerning indicators in their criminal history.

There were reportedly other foster children and one adopted child in the home who were safely removed.

In a statement obtained by AL.com, Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey said, "I have handled dozens of cases classified as child abuse cases during my career, but this case is beyond anything I could have ever imagined."

Casey continued, "This child needed food. This child needed medical care. This child deserved to be loved just like any other child regardless of any congenital anomalies in the child’s appearance or development."