Starvation death termed homicide
Denver coroner: Boy, 7, also suffered from dehydration
Bianca Prieto, Rocky Mountain News
Published July 10, 2007 at midnight
Chandler Grafner's frail, emaciated body was covered with cuts and bruises when his guardians called for an ambulance after he stopped breathing in May.
His 3-foot, 10-inch frame weighed only 34 pounds when he died. His rib cage was so prominent that individual ribs were showing.
On Monday, the Denver County Coroner's Office officially labeled his death a homicide caused by intentional dehydration and starvation.
Chandler was being cared for by his younger half-brother's father, Jon Phillips, and Phillips' common law wife, Sarah Berry. Both have been charged with first-degree murder in the boy's May 6 death.
They face life in prison without parole if convicted.
An 18-page autopsy report released Monday details more than 25 cuts and bruises found on Chandler's body, mostly on his face and back. His thinning light brown hair fell out easily, and his abdomen was sunken and discolored.
The coroner's report determined the boy had mild to moderate bronchopneumonia.
The kindergartner died around 3:45 p.m. after going into cardiac arrest at his home in southeast Denver.
Prosecutors said Chandler was kept locked in a closet and not given food. His 5-year-old half-brother, Phillips' biological son, was not abused, authorities said.
Phillips was Chandler's legal guardian and was given custody of the boy by a Jefferson County magistrate in January after the county removed him from his mother's care.
Tina Grafner, the boys' mother, had several run-ins with the law and was cited twice for child abuse before she had her children taken from her.
Denver Human Services completed an internal investigation in late May and has since turned its findings over to the state department, spokeswoman Sue Cobb said.
The coroner found no solid food in the boy's stomach, but rather a brown liquid that tested positive for blood.
In addition, the muscles in his arms, legs and bottom had become atrophied.
According to numerous Web sites, the average, healthy 7-year-old boy weighs about 50 pounds.
In May, a Denver judge sealed the court files, including arrest and search warrant affidavits, until a July 11 preliminary hearing.
prietob@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5219
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
