Mom who disciplined son during Baltimore riots loses home after same boy starts accidental fire
BALTIMORE - A mother who was widely praised for disciplining her son during the Baltimore riots last year is facing tragedy after an accidental fire destroyed her home.
Toya Graham, the woman seen on video smacking and pulling her son away from trouble during the riots, says her family is homeless after the fire.
The fire happened on Saturday afternoon at her home on Druid Hill Avenue. 17-year-old Michael, the same son who she disciplined, was home alone cooking when the fire broke out.
Toya said Michael threw water on the fire which caused it to spread. "When I got back, there was smoke and fire coming from the pan," she said on a GoFundMe page.
"I'm not blaming Michael," Graham said. "But I'm angry."
So far over $22,000 has been raised online: https://www.gofundme.com/2jyjz9bs