The following is on file with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office:
Travis Graham, 22, of Blackwood in Gloucester Township, was charged with the death of a three-year-old girl after striking her across the forehead, causing her to fall down the steps.
On March 13, Graham entered Kennedy University Hospital in Stratford carrying his live-in girlfriend’s daughter. The toddler was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital where she was later diagnosed with a severe traumatic brain injury. Doctors noted that the child had multiple bruises to her body, extremities and head, as well as multiple healing rib fractures. She died the following day.
Graham initially told authorities that while he was taking care of the child, he heard her fall, but he had caught her before she hit the bottom of the steps. He then said when he was unable to wake her later, he drove her to the hospital.
When Graham spoke to detectives last month he told them that while he was watching the child, they were on the top of the stairs and she was refusing to take a nap. He told them he struck her across forehead with the back of his hand, which knocked her down the steps.
The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the child’s death a homicide earlier this month.
He was charged today with one count of first-degree murder in the death of the three-year-old girl according to Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle. He is also being charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Graham is currently being detained in the Camden County Correctional Facility while awaiting further court proceedings.
All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
