Mom of 5-y-o: I still see my dead son’s face

When Kimone Rowe received a call about her five-year-old, Tray Graham, in July, the last thing she had expected to hear was that her beloved son had been murdered.

The boy, who is believed to have been beaten to death, allegedly by his father, was found buried under stones in bushes in Hopeton, Manchester.

The distraught 26-year-old mother learnt about the shocking news after her son’s aunt reached out to her on Facebook.

Since the gruesome incident, the St Catherine mother, who lives in Kent Village with her other two children, has been on an emotional roller-coaster.

She has sought to cushion the psychological blow for Tray’s siblings by telling them his death was make-believe.

“Every time mi close mi eyes fi sleep, mi see him face,” Rowe said, tearfully.

“Mi daughter did hear, but mi tell her say a joke because she keep on a look pon him picture and a cry.”

Rowe told The Gleaner that her son was a bright and cheerful child who was highly intelligent.

“Mi son, he was brilliant. Out of mi whole three kids dem, him was the quietest one. Never do much talking or nothing,” said, adding that the only issue she had with Tray was that he was a picky eater.

Rowe said that her son, who had just turned five on March 23, was supposed to have been spending time with his paternal grandparents in May Pen, Clarendon.

But unknown to her, the boy had been at home with his father in Hopeton district in Manchester, where he died.

Reports from the Mandeville police are that around 7:30 a.m., on July 21, residents spotted a mattress and sheet with bloodstains outside his father’s home.

The boy’s father, Quan Graham, who was arrested following an investigation, reportedly confessed to killing his son.

It is alleged that Graham told the police where he had hidden the body.

Although he lived in Manchester, Tray was reportedly well loved in the community of Kent Village. Many residents have been angered by his death, Rowe said, noting that she is clueless why her son was killed.

She, however, disclosed that the family has been having difficulties in mustering the funds to cover his burial.

“ I don’t get no help at all,” the mother said.

Quan Graham, who was charged with murder on July 29, remains in custody and is slated to attend court shortly. The Gleaner was unable to ascertain the hearing date from the police information arm.

Persons interested in assisting the family with burial may call (876)445-0753 or (876)477-4708.

sonae.rowe@gleanerjm.com