A tragic incident during a custody exchange in Apex, North Carolina, resulted in the death of a grandmother, 72-year-old Fukuyo Koketsu Bryant, after she was allegedly struck by her son-in-law’s car.
Bradford Brown, 35, was arrested on Friday, April 4, and charged with felony voluntary manslaughter, as detailed in court documents.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on Friday outside Bryant’s home. Brown had arrived to pick up his 6-year-old son but allegedly did not have a proper car seat for the child. According to Assistant District Attorney Doug Faucette, Bryant tried to intervene when she saw the child being placed in the car without the seat.
The situation quickly escalated, and Brown allegedly reversed his car, hitting Bryant with the rear passenger door before running over her with the vehicle’s tires.
Brown reportedly then brought his child into the house before fleeing on foot. Bryant died from the injuries sustained in the incident. He was arrested shortly afterward.
During his court appearance on Monday, Brown expressed remorse, telling the judge, “I’m sorry” for his actions.
Faucette told the court that Brown and Bryant’s daughter, Crystal Bryant, had been involved in a contentious custody battle, with Crystal’s attorney stating that Brown had been “volatile” in the past.
READ ALSO: Federal Court Blocks Biden’s Plan to Increase Nursing Home Staffing
There were no physical injuries to the child, but the attorney expressed concerns about the lasting emotional impact on the young boy.
A bond of $500,000 was set for Brown, who was also ordered to have no contact with his child, Crystal Bryant, or her husband, Harold Bryant. He was instructed to wear an ankle monitor if he is granted bond.
The authorities confirmed that another man was in the car with Brown at the time of the incident, but he was not considered a victim.
This tragedy has shocked the local community, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal encounter.
