A mother and stepfather were in court Tuesday morning in an apparent case of abuse resulting in the death of a toddler.
Both Brandy Smallwood, 27, and James Green, 23, waived their right to a preliminary hearing in exchange for open file discovery, which means the defense will have access to the prosecution’s files.
Green has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of two year old Grayden Morgan. Smallwood is charged with child neglect resulting in death.
Police say the child apparently suffered trauma at a home in the Fairdale community while in the care of Green.
According to a criminal complaint, Green stated that the child’s death was consistent with him being grabbed, squeezed, shaken and punched.
The child died at a Charleston hospital on Feb. 9.
Green is scheduled to undergo a psychological examination.