Mother Charged With Child Abuse Months After Toddler Fell To Death From Escalator At Airport

A mother was charged with misdemeanor child abuse after her son was caught in an escalator at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina and fell to his death earlier this year. A warrant was issued against the mother by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police on Tuesday.

Local reports said the boy’s mother, Jiterria Lightner, was supposed to turn herself in on three charges of misdemeanor child abuse later this week. The incident occurred on Sept. 6 as the child, 3-year-old Jaiden Cowart, was leaning against the glass portion of the escalator near the baggage claim area. Suddenly he got caught and was pulled into the side rail, and fell down.

The child was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. Local reports revealed that the mother was devastated after the incident. Her attorney, Michael Greene, issued a statement saying, “We went from saying this is an accident, now saying that you’ve committed a crime.”

Greene, while maintaining that he and his client were willing to fight the charges, said, “She was caring for a 4-, 3-, and a 2-year-old and trying to arrange a ride from the airport. I’m saying here she’s not guilty of misdemeanor child abuse.”

Greene also added, “This is one of those incidents that could’ve happened to any one of the members of this community, and, unfortunately, the decision came down to charge her with a crime. And I’ll be here to walk her through the process”.

If convicted, the woman could face up to 150 days in prison.