COALITION AGAINST INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD ABUSE
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BOTT-GRAHAM UPDATE
Tuesday Jan 3, 2006

It's been almost a month since the death of 2-year-old Cameron Hamilton. Police believe the young boy was injured by Michelle Bott-Graham, a woman who claimed to be administering therapy to the child for autism. Jeremy Johnson has been following this case very closely and has an update.

As prosecutors continue to wait for autopsy results, we do know Ms. Graham has bonded out of jail and is currently living in Twin Falls, but has been returning to Pocatello for supervised visits with her children. As the investigation continues, we take a look at the time-line of what has happened so far.

According to police reports, on November 29th, Cameron Hamilton was returned to the Achieving a Better Life Daycare by Michelle Bott-Graham, who had taken him for an alleged therapy session. Bott-Graham placed the boy in the back and told workers he was asleep. A short time later, Hamilton was found seizing. EMS was called and the young boy was later transported to Primary Children's Medical Center in serious condition.

The next day, Bott-Graham was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child. Also on the 30th, Chubbuck Police suspended the license of the Achieving a Better Life Daycare while they investigated their involvement in the incident. On December 1st, Bott-Graham was arraigned. Bond was set at $75,000 and a preliminary hearing was set for December 12th.

On December 5th, Cameron Hamilton died from injuries his mother says could not have been an accident.

"He had two black eyes. There was a bruise on his nose. There was a bruise in both ears and behind his ears. And the doctors have pretty much said that it was a blunt trauma injury."

For prosecutors this changed the complexity of the case. During the preliminary hearing on December 12th, the prosecution asked for a continuance, but Bott-Graham had to agree. After continuing the preliminary hearing, Bott-Graham posted the $75,000 bond on December 19th. Bott-Graham's next preliminary hearing is set for January 11th.

Bott-Graham could face different charges once autopsy results return. In talking with prosecutors today, they say they hope to receive autopsy results by the end of the week.

 

 

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