Blount County Sheriff Mark Moon said an Alabama foster couple charged with capital murder in the death of a toddler is getting community support despite evidence against them. However, he said it is normal for loved ones to support family and friends.
“I know there are some [supporters] out there that will never believe that any of this is possible,” he said during a press conference Thursday.
The 18-month-old boy died at Blount County Hospital in November last year after being brought in emaciated.
The family lived in the Horton area of Blount County, but the child was from Marshall County.
After a lengthy investigation, a grand jury recently came down with indictments.
In addition to capital murder, Mason John Grimes, 36, and Brooklyn Paige Posey Grimes, 31, are charged with felony murder and aggravated child abuse. The child had been with them since he was three months old. He was diagnosed with several congenital disorders.
Moon said some of the investigation found that after the child was diagnosed, the Grimes family did not take him back to the doctor. He said the child lost 50% of his body weight and was “skin and bones.”
“This is a very heartbreaking case where everyone who was involved in any way whether it be the initial report taken, whether it be further investigation, medical staff, everyone here at the sheriff’s office, we were all touched tragically by this case because let’s just be honest, this precious child was a victim and was treated in such a way that no human should be treated," said Moon.
Mason Grimes has been vocal on social media, saying DHR is to blame.
“You are the mother that every child deserves,” Grimes posted to his wife earlier this year. “You spent over 30 combined days in the hospital, emergency rooms, and doctor visits with Zeke. This is just 1% of the care she provided for him with feeding tubes, sleepless nights, and urging doctors to do more.”
“You are more than enough Paige Posey Grimes,” he continued. “And to think now an organization that did nothing for him including never going to a doctor’s appointment or emergency room visit, thinks they have the right to decide if we did enough. DHR is full of incompetent, under qualified, evil, and lazy people that are now trying to destroy the family you see in these pictures to cover up where they failed Zeke. This has been torment and torture on all of us.”
Lieutenant Chad Long, who worked on the case, presented it to the grand jury. He said DHR was doing periodic visits to the Grimes home. Moon said there were concerns over the family’s living conditions.
This week, Mason Grimes took to social media again to ask for prayers.
“God help us for what me and Paige are about to endure this week,” Grimes posted on Facebook. “You would think others involved in this case would have eventually grown a conscious, come to our aid, and scream from the roof tops this is WRONG! But this is a sign of the times, evil has penetrated every part of this system. Please pray for us, the truth will be revealed.”
Moon said there was overwhelming evidence in the case, which is why the grand jury indicted both defendants. Both defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Mason and Brooklyn Grimes are in the Blount County Jail. Other children in the home have been relocated.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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