Update on Chandler Grafner Starvation Story – Court Documents Unsealed
Update: Chandler was the seven-year-old Denver boy who died of starvation and weighed only 3o pounds at the time of his death. PBB reported on the Chandler Grafner story back on May 20 and May 12.
Recently unsealed court documents showed that Chandler spent his last weeks living in a closet without food, water and using a litter box as a toilet. His half brother, Dominick Phillips, 5, knew what was going on and was the police’s main source of information.
According to Dominick, his father, Jon Phillips, and Phillips’ girlfriend Sarah Berry put Chandler in a closet for days whenever he was bad. Dominick said the adults had stopped feeding him and Chandler lunches weeks before Chandler died, and that he’d only get cereal in the morning and a small dinner (like one taco) at night.
The Cover Up
When Chandler died, Dominick said his father removed Chandler’s body from the closet and placed it on the living room floor. The litter box and other items were thrown in a dumpster. Phillips and Berry also changed the boy’s clothes before calling 911.
Berry told a 911 dispatcher that Chandler had been suffering from flu-like symptoms and had been dropping weight. Phillips told police a similiar story.
According to hospital doctors, Chandler’s was starved over an extended period of time. The Denver coroner ruled that the boy died of starvation and dehydration. The autopsy report revealed that 25 cuts and bruises were found on Chandler’s body, mostly on his face and back. He also had mild to moderate bronchopneumonia.
Phillips, 26, and Berry, 22, are charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of child abuse resulting in death. I just hope these two monsters are put away for a long, long time. What they did to Chandler was pure evil.
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July 14th, 2007 at 8:24 am
omg, this whole story makes me want to vomit.
how can ANYONE treat a child like this?
I can only hope there is a special place in HELL for people or parents (using the term loosely) who abuse innocent children.
July 14th, 2007 at 8:50 am
It’s just really sad that things like this have to happen……really, really sad
July 14th, 2007 at 11:37 am
What gets me the most about this one is that it was not a situation of a parent snapping under pressure, not a momentary lapse of reason and certainly not a forgetting (I forgot the baby in the black car with the windows up in August in Arizona) event.
No, this took weeks. At any time either of them could have changed their minds and thrown him a happy meal.
In a way this was worse then premeditated murder. It took a long time for Chandler to die, they had to have made an effort every day to keep food from him.
July 14th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I cannot think of any punishment allowed by the U.S. Constitution that would be suitable for these two offenders. I would love to subject them to the types of tortures used in the Middle Ages and make sure their deaths were long and agonizing, just as poor Chandler’s surely was. I completely agree with BarnGoddess–I pray there is a special circle of Hell where people like this get the punishment they truly deserve for all eternity.
July 14th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Chidlren are being abused, negleced, and some are dying in residential programs for kids. Visit http://www.caica.org for more information.
July 14th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Cat, I’m not usually a Bible-quoter, but I think the part that applies here is when Jesus says that if someone “harms one of my little ones” his punishment will be worse than if “he had a millstone tied around his neck and be thrown in the sea. Better for him if he’d never been born.” Rest assured, there IS a just punishment awaiting these two monsters, no matter what the law does or doesn’t do to them here.
July 14th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Amen, Ihavekidstoo.
In a just world, they’d be walled up in a room together and left to starve.
July 14th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I know I already posted once, but damn! I am so pissed off! I just look at that picture of him, that beautiful smile of his, and just wonder how anyone could do something so horribly wrong to such a sweet looking little kid! To leave him to starve and die in a closet all alone and scared-and they were suppose to be his PROTECTORS! At least the suffering is over for him, that’s the only peace I get out of this (and that’s not much)! Sorry for the rant, my blood is just boiling!
July 14th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
It is terrible that he had to suffer AT ALL. It looks like every single adult in the boy’s life failed him. So heartbreaking
July 15th, 2007 at 4:18 am
I am getting pissed off at all these people that think it is OK to treat kids like this….. I mean if you can not do then dont have kids or find someone to take your kid….. as parents know being a parent is the toughest job you will ever take on! I just hope these 2 get the electric chair! sorry for the rant I just want kids treated a hell of a lot better!
July 15th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
For those who haven’t experienced even mild dehydration, let me tell you some of the symptoms. A couple of weeks ago, temps here were 115 or above for several days. I drank too much soda & not enough water. Exteme thirst, severe headache, nausea, muscle aches, just felt wonky all over. I cannot imagine how much this little angel suffered to die from dehydration/starvation.
Please, Mr. Law Officer, send these ppl to me for just a few days. I will give them all the soda they can drink, just no water. Maybe that could give them just a tiny taste of what their baby suffered before he expired.
Rest in peace, little Chandler. You will never know thirst, hunger, or fear again.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:20 am
this story sickened me to the core when i read and posted on it back in May and I swear since then I think of this poor guy often. Becuase of this site and the horrible news stories I have to listen to everyday my major in college is psychology and I will become one day a social worker. It makes me sick that first parents fail their children then this wonderful “free” nation we live in also does. This US of fucking A makes me sick anymore to say I am part of the american culture. We shed more bloodshed amongst ourselves then the war in Iraq. Maybe that is far fetched but for once on some laws here I wish we were more like other countries. If you kill some countries, you get killed no excuses no death row for 30 years, fuck that your dead, should of thought about what you did. I want to make a difference for some children, even if only a few I PLEDGE I WILL NOT FAIL ONE, i know this job will be horrible and hard and trying, BUT THAT is why i am taking it on, to make a difference not dummy up reports and fail an already hurting child!
July 16th, 2007 at 8:27 am
I am stunned at the cruelty. I’m so far beyond anger and sadness. Chandler’s mother failed him, his guardians failed him, Social Services failed him. I hope justice prevails in this case. The both face life in prison without the possibility of parole. I think the inmates will make sure they both receive a little “street justice” as well.
July 16th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I’d Like to grab these two so-called “caregivers” by their skulls and lock them in a closet for days or weeks at a time. God have mercy on them cause’ I wouldn’t.
July 17th, 2007 at 11:29 am
OMG! Why, why, why in the world would ANYONE do this to a child?
I can’t imagine the level of suffering this poor child went through.
Why in the hell aren’t crimes like this considered a capital offense?
July 17th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
It should absolutely be a capital offense. They starved and tortured this child to death.
Lo – I praise your spirit but be careful – The Social Workers who really care about the children are usually the ones who end up quitting out of frustration with the SYSTEM and the consequential inability to save the children. Makes you want to kidnap them away just to protect them from the system, abusive foster parents (I was a good one) and abusive bioligical families.
I had a little black 4 year old boy who had been burned up and down his legs and on his genitals with a curling iron. I wanted to keep him even though I had previously requested to do respit work only. I loved this kid but they wanted to give him to a black foster mom who, after meeting her, I just knew she wasn’t going to be the greatest. Hopefully she wasn’t too bad.
July 18th, 2007 at 5:44 am
I haven’t been able to get this story out my head since I first heard about it. My heart is broken and my blood is boiling. How could anybody do something so cruel to such a beautiful boy. No torture would be too cruel for those two pieces of shit. God, I wish I could get my hands on Jon Phillips! I hope he receives the ‘jail-justice’ he deserves.
RIP little Chandler, enjoy heaven.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:52 am
These children do not ask to be born. They are brought into this world. I can not believe so many people failed this child and he suffered so! I know that I am one of MANY out there that would have loved to have given this child a loving home and a great life. Why does it have to be this way? If these people had no intention of loving and caring for this child, why did they take him in? They deserve to be treated exactly the same way they treated that little boy. But they won’t. It is outrageous. A criminal has more rights than a child.
July 18th, 2007 at 8:13 am
How in the world does a parent just hand over their child to a non-relative (who doesn’t give a shit) and no one (teachers, friends, relatives, etc.) know about it? This just baffles me to no end.
I totally don’t blame the social worker’s, I blame the others who knew these people and just choose to turn a blind eye. Someone had to have known something was going on in that house.
I too can’t get this story out of my head. What the hell is wrong with people?
I hope and pray that these people receive their just punishment behind those prison walls until the day they die!
July 19th, 2007 at 8:10 am
OMG! Check this out. Just when you’d thought you heard it all…
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3391466
July 19th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
I cant get this sweet child out of my mind. I wish there were something I could do, some way I could have stopped his suffering. It is so heartbreaking.
He holds a special place in my heart.
July 24th, 2007 at 10:44 am
animals should be given the death penalty
July 24th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I am trying my best to keep this childs memory alive. That is the only thing I can offer. I do not do websites or things of that nature but, I can keep bringing his name to the fore and I intend to.
I did find out that the hearing that was scheduled for July 11, I think, had been postponed to early August. I intend to know what happens. Also, the report of the investigation into the Child Social Services is due out in August, someone wrote me.
I was angry when I read all of the people that stepped forward after Chandler died and talked about how much he was loved……why didnt someone check on him during the time he was in hell ? After he told his grandfather that “Daddy Jon would hurt me”, why didnt someone continue to check on him ?
I look at how many people were in this little boys life and look how he ended up…..so, dont speak about how loved he was.
I am so saddened over this but angry too. So, may be that will keep me going on this .
July 24th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
People are liars and bs’ers, they just turn their head and let it go on. They don’t care. It’s sickening. It’s so disturbing that people on this planet get off on killing/torturing/molesting/raping children of all ages, and the government stands by and does NOTHING. Wimpy months in jail. BS sentences. What if it was the presidents baby who this stuff was done to? Then they would care. When is there going to be ENOUGH children killed and suffering for someone with some say so to STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING FOR THESE CHILDREN?????????
July 29th, 2007 at 7:47 am
Okay..i just happenstance on this site while surfin’ and have read through quite a few of these horrific stories..this one by far, so far, actually brought tears to my eyes (still crying)…I’m not wayyy fond of children, but I did manage to love and raise mine to the best of my ability. Never were they in any danger. I just don’t understand the mindset of these people…is each generation really getting weaker?
OMG this is just so depressing.
July 29th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
I have a computer print out picture of little Chandler taped up on one of my desk cabinet doors. When I try and show it to my grown children they say, “oh Mom, dont tell me, I can’t bear to know what happened to him…….” I say, “you can and then never forget him so that you can fight for children like him……” Then I open another cabinet door and show them a printout of the two evil spawn of Satan that murdered him.
He was a throw away child, poor thing.
If anyone lives in the Denver area, please keep up with what is happening with this case. I would so appreciate a heads up. I will try but I live in Florida.
July 29th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
This is a story of conscious, prolonged child abuse. This is too heartbreaking to even imagine. What a bunch of evil people. How do people live with themselves, Oh my God.
August 3rd, 2007 at 6:39 am
I just moved from Denver, actually about four months ago, and I too, want to be kept informed. I can’t believe this. Look at that little guy’s face! He looks like such a sweet, vibrant little boy. Poor Chandler. I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he’s really dead. How can people BE this way? It just baffles me beyond all reason.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Emaciated boy always thin, defense says
By Art Kane
Denver Post Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 08/16/2007 04:42:18 PM MDT
Chandler Grafner, photographed at age 2. (Family photo)Related Articles
Jul 11:
Starved boy suffered for months, cops told May 20:
Recalling Chandler’s brief lifeMay 16:
Funeral for underfed boyMay 13:
Helpless at helping our kids2 tragic deaths, 2 paths to justiceMay 12:
Online Only: 1994 abuse trial spawned law used in charging pairMay 11:
Birth parents of emaciated boy out of pictureMay 10:
Couple charged with murder in emaciated boy’s death”Daddy Jon is going to hurt me,” boy told grandmotherMay 9:
Hearing in gaunt boy’s deathMay 8:
Emaciated boy found deadDefense attorneys representing the legal guardian of a 7-year-old boy who starved to death said today that the boy was naturally thin and had trouble gaining weight.
“He eats like a horse and doesn’t gain any weight,” said defense attorney Ann England, who added that Chandler Grafner’s weight hovered from 33 to 34 pounds for an 18-month period before he turned five years old. Grafner died in May, three years later, weighing the same 34 pounds.
Jon Phillips, 26, the former boyfriend of Chandler’s mother, Christina Grafner, was given custody of Chandler and his half-brother in January. Phillips was given custody because he is the biological father of the half-brother and claims to have been the “psychological father” of Chandler.
Phillips and Berry appear in Denver District Court on Wednesday, May 9, 2007. (AP | George Kochaniec)Phillips was living with his new girlfriend, Sarah Berry, 21, when the two kids came to live with them.
Phillips and Berry each have been charged with first-degree murder of a child, first-degree murder after deliberation and child abuse resulting in death.
At a preliminary hearing in Denver District Court today, prosecutors presented testimony from a doctor from Swedish Medical Center who examined Chandler when he was rushed to the hospital. He told officials that Grafner would have to have been deprived for a month and a half to be in the condition he was in when he died.
Police Detective Larry Moore testified that he was called to Swedish after Grafner died and viewed his body there.
“He looked like a concentration-camp prisoner,” Moore said.
Moore also testified that Grafner’s half-brother told police that Chandler was often kept in a linen closet. The boy told officials the closet had been rigged with screws and a piece of string to lock it.
The half-brother told police that Phillips had cleaned up the closet before police arrived.
Prosecutors also introduced evidence that social-service workers had investigated allegations of abuse in January. Chandler allegedly had bruises on his neck and ear. However, no abuse could be proven at the time, they said.
The judge in the case bound the two over for trial.
Staff writer Arthur Kane can be reached at 303-954-1244 or akane@denverpost.com.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I hope these people burn in hell. No…wait…..that is too good for them……
November 27th, 2007 at 1:24 am
God, this makes me ill. Those monsters deserve the death penalty. He was a sweet looking little boy who was failed miserably. My heart is sad.
November 27th, 2007 at 9:08 am
I made the mistake of reading the reports about little Chandler again and it broke my heart all over again. This little boy touched my heart.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:22 am
It’s probably George Bush’s fault.