Suspect Withdraws Guilty Plea in Fatal Child Abuse Case, Will be Retried

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Jalesia Offer, 35, withdrew her guilty plea before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Videtta A. Brown on June 13. Offer previously pleaded guilty to second-degree child abuse in connection to the death of her son, six-year-old Brian Graham, on March 31. Judge Brown stated that, after further reading the forensics report of the crime, she could no longer accept the plea.

According to charging documents, on Aug. 21, 2024, officers were dispatched to Sinai Hospital for reports of an unresponsive six-year-old. The child, later identified as Graham, was found to have severe bruising and burns on his body. He passed away later that day.

During Offer’s interviews with investigators, she said her fiancé, Brandon Wheatley, 35, took Graham into the bathroom to shower. She later found Wheatley slumped over the tub, and Graham unresponsive in hot water. She then called 911 and attempted to resuscitate Graham. During Wheatley’s interviews, he claimed he suffered from narcolepsy, a medical condition that caused him to fall asleep without warning.

Judge Brown listed off the inconsistencies in Offer’s interviews with investigators that influenced her decision. Offer told one investigator that she had noticed the burns on Graham’s body and treated him earlier that day. Conversely, she told a separate investigator that she did not realize her son had injuries until she found him in the tub.

Judge Brown stated that she would pursue the maximum sentence of 15 years for Offer’s charges if she decided not to withdraw her plea. Whitley was ultimately found guilty of first-degree child abuse resulting in death and first-degree child abuse resulting in severe injury to a child under 13. He received what amounts to a life sentence.

Graham’s death was ruled a result of blunt force trauma. He was found to have fractured ribs, a lacerated liver, and internal bleeding in his head and torso.

Offer will appear in reception court before Judge Melissa K. Copeland on June 16 to schedule her trial. All of Offer’s charges will be reinstated.