On Sept. 25, 2019 Jiterria Lightner was traveling with her three kids all under the age of 7. While waiting for their luggage at the baggage claim area of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, her 3-year-old son Jaiden Cowart leaned on the glass of an escalator and got caught in the escalator’s handrail which pulled him up and dropped him to his death.

The Medical Examiner ruled it an accidental death. Yet Charlotte-Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office charged her with misdemeanor child abuse. This is cruel and unusual punishment. This family is already grieving a loss and her three young children need her. 

The impact of jailing the caregiver parent in an unnecessary circumstance has devastating consequences. The family is affected emotionally, financially and it may lead to unforeseen problems down the road. 

This is avoidable and unnecessary. Please tell Charlotte-Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather III to drop the charges against Jiterria Lightner for the death of her son Jaiden Cowart. Instead of spending time in jail or fighting a traumatic court battle, she could be spending time her family that needs her during this difficult time. He can be reached at Spencer.Merriweather@nccourts.org and 704-686-0700.

Read more about this case here: 

1. https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/21/us/mom-charged-3-year-old-death/index.html
2. https://people.com/crime/mom-charged-with-child-abuse-after-son-gets-caught-in-airport-escalator-and-dies/
3. https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/mother-charged-after-toddler-falls-to-his-death-at-airport/1010447719