The Misery Machine - The Case of Charlette Dawkins

Starting point is 00:00:00 Charlotte James Dawkins was born on December 11th, 2013 in Vorey's, New Jersey, during a snowstorm. She was born to parents Caitlin Roisden and Anthony Dawkins. Her middle name was chosen to honor her maternal grandfather James. She had an older stepbrother, and, at the time of our story, she had just found out she was going to be a big sister. If the baby was a girl, Charlotte told her godmother, Kirsten Myers, that the baby would wear fancy dresses and bows just like she did. Charlotte's family said she was the glue that held their family together. She had long blonde curls, blue eyes, and a bright smile. Her grandmother Renee Rodriguez described her as tiny but so mighty and so lovable.

Starting point is 00:00:46 She had several nicknames. Her grandma called her Nene's baby. Her aunt called her Little Babe. Her grandfather Javier Rodriguez called her C-Web. Her grandfather James called her Ladybug. Charlotte loved both Princess. and superheroes. According to her grandma,

Starting point is 00:01:03 she liked tiaras, but she liked to dress up like Batman. She loved the teenage mutant ninja turtles. Her favorite color was pink. She loved tutus, big bows, and snacks. One of her favorite pastimes was eating jalapeno pringles with her grandfather.

Starting point is 00:01:20 Her favorite song was, You Are My Sunshine. Charlotte was a smart little girl who cared about other people. She was a happy child and had an infectious laugh. Her grandma said, everyone who met her loved her. She was adored by her large extended family, including many aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Starting point is 00:01:40 According to her family, she is a soul that no one will ever forget. Now Charlotte's mother, Caitlin, was part of a large blended family. Her parents split up a year after she was born and both eventually found other partners. They all remained family. Her mother Renee had eight children and her stepfather, Jose, had three more of his own. Her father James had a long-time relationship with a woman named Michelle Eberle, and Michelle treated Caitlin like her own daughter. Michelle's stepdaughter Kirsten considered Caitlin her sister. In 2012, Caitlin started dating Anthony. But a year later, when she was 18 years old,

Starting point is 00:02:17 Caitlin gave birth to Charlotte. Kirsten was not just Charlotte's aunt, but also her godmother. Just a few hours after she was born, Kirsten met the baby for the first time and she fell in love. She said one moment she was a carefree teenager, and then the next thing you know you're an aunt, and this little tiny person consumes the biggest piece of your heart, a piece so big that it makes you realize that you've never loved someone like this before. When she was just a month old, Charlotte got very sick and had to go to the hospital. Instead of staying with her sick child, Caitlin left the hospital to spend time with Anthony. Her mother Renee was angry that they would even leave the baby alone when she was so ill,

Starting point is 00:02:57 so she threatened to call child protective services. She and Caitlin had a huge argument, much of it over social media. The two didn't speak for a few weeks, but they eventually made up. This was a pattern in their relationship. After a big fight, Caitlin often cut her mother out of her life for a period of time. After Charlotte's birth, Caitlin and Anthony struggled as a couple, and in early 2014, the pair broke up. They were not successful at co-parenting either. Or in Caitlin, Anthony hardly ever visited.

Starting point is 00:03:27 visited his daughter. She said Charlotte didn't even know who he was. During this time, Caitlin and Charlotte were living with Caitlin's dad, James. In the summer of 2016, Caitlin started dating Travis Graham. He lived in a townhouse on Bitter Sweet Drive with his parents. The home was located in a suburban community in Camden County, New Jersey. Their relationship moved very quickly. Soon, Caitlin and Charlotte moved in with him.

Starting point is 00:03:53 However, it was an unusual and likely uncomfortable situation. In addition to his parents, Travis's ex-girlfriend Chelsea was also living at the townhouse, along with the four-year-old son, she shared with Travis. While living there, Chelsea said she often watched Charlotte because Caitlin and Travis wanted to be alone together. She also claimed that Caitlin would pinch Charlotte's cheeks so hard it would leave bruises. For a couple of months, Chelsea moved out and later married someone else. Her son was supposed to stay with Travis and Caitlin for a few months, but that arrangement ended when Travis had to briefly go to jail in October.

Starting point is 00:04:31 In January of 2017, Travis asked Caitlin to marry him. She agreed as she was now pregnant with his child. To the outside world, they seemed like a happy family. But Travis had a rough past. He'd committed a violent offense when he was a juvenile. He had 10 previous convictions for various offenses. Seven were in local municipal courts, but three were in the New Jersey Superior Court.

Starting point is 00:04:58 In February of 2017, just a month after proposing to Caitlin, he held up a local convenience store with an airsoft gun. He stole both money and cigarettes. Travis had issues with substance abuse, and he committed this in other robberies in order to afford his habit. There were allegations that Travis hit Caitlin. Family members had also noticed unusual injuries on Charlotte. There was a mark that looked like a cigarette burst.

Starting point is 00:05:24 burn on her foot, but Caitlin claimed it was simply just a blister. Charlotte complained of pain in her belly, but Caitlin said she fell off her bunk bed. Around this time, Renee noticed a bruise on Charlotte, again she threatened to call child protective services. Later, Renee denied she made that threat, perhaps to protect her daughter. But whatever Renee did or didn't say, no one ever contacted the state agency called the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Going forward, we'll call them Deuteronry. DCCP in New Jersey. There were no open cases whatsoever. But true to their pattern,

Starting point is 00:06:01 Caitlin fought with her mother and cut her out of her life again. This time, Caitlin would stay angry with her for months. In early 2017, Caitlin brought Charlotte by Kirsten's work for a visit. After they left, the three-year-old ran back into the building because she wanted to give her godmother one more hug and kiss. Renee had not told Kirsten about her suspicions. Kirsten had no idea that anything was wrong. In early March, Anthony expressed interest in visiting with Charlotte, but he and Caitlin could not agree on terms and he did not end up visiting with her. On March 13th, Caitlin went to work and left Charlotte at home with Travis. He described a fairly typical day with a toddler. He said that Charlotte was cranky and didn't want a nap. He said that she

Starting point is 00:06:47 cracked the screen on her iPad and he punished her by sending her up to bed. On her way up the stairs, she fell down the steps, but he said he heard her falling and was able to catch her before she hit the bottom. He texted Caitlin and told her that Charlotte had fallen. Three hours after he texted Caitlin, he walked into the emergency room at Jefferson Stratford Hospital covered in blood and holding Charlotte's limp body. She was unconscious. Her face was bruised and swollen. Doctors there immediately realized that she had a serious.

Starting point is 00:07:23 injury. They airlifted the little girl to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where she could get better trauma care. Now, Travis didn't go with her in the helicopter. He left her there all alone. Instead, he drove to get Caitlin and then drove the two to the larger hospital. Caitlin called her family and told them Charlotte had fallen. When she got the news, Kirsten rushed to Cooper Hospital. When she was stopped at the metal detector, she threw her coat and purse on the ground in order to get through more quickly. Later, a security guard brought her the discarded items. Other family members gathered in the ER waiting room.

Starting point is 00:07:59 Travis arrived with Caitlin, still wearing his bloody clothes. While in the waiting room, Kirsten asked Travis what happened to Charlotte while he was watching her. He said she fell, but he caught her. He said he got her help right away. They all heard an announcement over the loudspeaker about an incoming trauma on the helipad. They knew Charlotte was on that helicopter. At Cooper Hospital, the doctor's train. tried to revive the little girl, but her pupils were fixed and dilated.

Starting point is 00:08:26 She went into cardiac arrest multiple times, and her heart stopped beating. It soon became clear that she had a severe, traumatic brain injury. Doctors also noted other bruises and injuries on her body. Her body was still alive, but her brain was not. One of the doctors went to the waiting room to talk to the family. He told them that there was no way to sugarcoat the truth. Charlotte was never going to wake up. The child who cared about other people was gone.

Starting point is 00:08:55 Her family was left with the choice to let her go right away or decide to keep her body alive long enough to allow her organs to be donated. Kirsten collapsed on the bend when she finally got to see Charlotte in the pediatric ICU. The toddler's face was so bruised that she would have been unrecognizable if it hadn't been for her blonde curly hair. She had a black eye and bandages on her head. She was covered in blankets. except for those areas with burn injuries.

Starting point is 00:09:24 Once she saw Charlotte's injuries, Kirsten asked Travis again what happened while he was watching her. He wanted to know why she wanted to know. She said she needed to know why Charlotte looked so terribly injured. He told a similar story to the one he had told earlier, but she noticed he had a few changes in the details. She knew in her gut that he was lying. She would soon overhear doctors talking about CA.

Starting point is 00:09:50 When police questioned, Travis, he told them the same story he told Caitlin. Charlotte fell, but he caught her before she hit the bottom of the stairs. He said it took him about a half hour to calm her down, but that she eventually fell asleep and took a short nap. He said he noticed blood on her mouth and attempted to perform CPR. When that didn't work, he said he rushed her to the ER. His story did not match the evidence the doctor saw on Charlotte's body. He also failed to mention the three hours he waited before getting her help. The next day, March 14, 2017, Charlotte was pronounced legally dead.

Starting point is 00:10:28 Doctors kept her on a ventilator with mechanical support so her organs could be recovered. Even though she was still breathing, Caitlin signed paperwork to put Kirsten in charge of all medical decisions. Caitlin and Travis left the hospital, and they never came back. Kirsten, who was only 20 years old at the time, stayed with Charlotte. In the next two days, she would rub her belly and talk to her. showed her over and over that she loved her. Kirsten held her hand while the forensic investigators measured and photographed Charlotte's many bruises. She held her while the same investigators examined

Starting point is 00:11:04 her for signs of violation and put gel in her eyes to preserve them. She watched as the medical staff pumped her body full of medicine and covered her in heating blankets to help keep her organs alive. She also apologized for not knowing what was going on, for not knowing that someone was hurting her for not being able to save her. Pearson described the painful experience. She said, when you're kissing both cheeks, her little nose, both of their tiny hands,

Starting point is 00:11:32 all ten fingers, running your thumb over their eyelashes. You hold their hand flat against your face since that tiny hand will never reach out for your touch again, all while a machine is breathing for them. That is when you experience true heartbreak. Kirsten held Charlotte's hand up until the moment

Starting point is 00:11:51 they rolled away to surgery at 4 in the morning on March 16th, 2017. Through donation, the little girl who cared about other people was able to help other families. Superheroes she looked up to. Seven months later in October, Caitlin gave birth to the baby sister Charlotte was so excited to meet. Caitlin remained engaged to Travis, even though many of her family members suspected he had caused the toddler's death. The couple soon lost custody of the baby, and thankful. Kirsten was given custody. During the following months, Charlotte's family grieved her loss.

Starting point is 00:12:27 They feared that she would never get justice. In January of 2018, there was an armed robbery at the Pine Run Deli and smoke shop in Blackwood, New Jersey. The robber wore a Joker mask and used a semi-automatic handgun to scare the staff into giving him money. The robber was Travis's friend. Travis drove the getaway car. In February, Caitlin married him, changing her name to Caitlin Graham. June, there was another armed robbery, this time again at the Pine Run Deli and smoke shop. The robber covered his face with a bandana and wore a hooded sweatshirt. He used a knife this time to threaten the staff into giving up the money. Several members of the community told police that Travis was involved. Once police had his name, they were able to identify him in surveillance

Starting point is 00:13:11 video from the scene of the crime. Travis was arrested on July 11, 2018. He was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, one count of first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, and several charges for possession of unlawful weapons. He eventually pled guilty to those charges and was sentenced to five years in jail. While being questioned about the hold-ups, Travis told police he needed the money to pay for drugs. He admitted that he was addicted to serious drugs, in particular, heroin and Xanax. He said he used the drugs because he just wanted to forget a lot of stuff. When pressed, he told them he wanted to forget about Charlotte's death. As he continued to talk, he told a different story.

Starting point is 00:13:57 In his new version of events, he said Charlotte refused to take a nap. He said they were both standing near the top of the stairs. He said Charlotte pinched him. He reacted by hitting her in the forehead. He hit her so hard with the back of his hand that she spun around and fell down the steps face first. Travis found her unresponsive at the foot of the stairs. The fall had made her soil her pants. He said he changed her clothes and took her to the hospital about five minutes later.

Starting point is 00:14:30 However, his text messages told another story. At 1238 that afternoon he texted Caitlin. He said, Shar just threw a hissy fit and dropped dead weight while walking up the stairs. I caught her, but she banged her head. At 1.35, he texted. her head is pretty bad with bruises. It was not until 3.26 p.m. 3 hours later that he finally texted that he was taking her to the ER. After his confession to police, Travis was charged with Charlotte's death in August of 2018.

Starting point is 00:15:06 His official charges were first-degree homicide in endangering the welfare of a child. Because of his other crimes, he remained in jail while awaiting trial. Even after he confessed, Caitlin continued to talk to Travis while he was in jail. In March of 2019, Caitlin posted a fundraiser on social media to raise money for strong prison wives and families. After her family responded with frustration and disbelief that she was still supporting Travis, Caitlin removed the post. Two months later in May 2019, prosecutors offered Travis a 40-year plea deal, but he refused it. His attorney countered with an offer for only

Starting point is 00:15:48 only 15 years. Prosecutors found this counter inadequate, so they scheduled his trial for July 8th. Travis would never make it to trial because on June 28th, he accepted a different plea deal, pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter and three counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. The sentencing hearing was scheduled for July 26. This hearing was presided over by Superior Court Judge Gwendolyn Blue in Camden County. Prosecutors started the hearing by explaining the full extent of Charlotte's injuries. Her cause of death was blunt head trauma. At first, the manner of death was recorded as undetermined, but once more details of the case became clear, it was changed to homicide. While she was in the hospital, her injuries were photographed and cataloged. All of her

Starting point is 00:16:31 ribs were broken. These fractures were all in the process of healing, so they couldn't have been caused by her fall that day. They were also in different stages of healing, so they happened during multiple events. The oldest injuries were at least a week old. This meant she'd been walking around in pain and without any treatment for at least that long. She also had bruises on her forehead, chest, abdomen, and legs. The bruises on her stomach looked like she had been poked with fingertips. She also had burns on her stomach. The perfectly round burns were consistent with the type caused by a lit cigarette pressed into the skin. While some of the injuries could have been explained as accidental.

Starting point is 00:17:14 Doctor said, and I quote, the history, physical examination, and diagnostic studies indicated physical CA to a medical degree of certainty. During the sentencing hearing, the family played a 15-minute video of photos from Charlotte's life.

Starting point is 00:17:30 Travis was seated in the courtroom near the screen showing the video, but he refused to watch. Kept his head down and stared at the table. When Kirsten gave her impact statement, She wore bright pink socks adorned with big bows, two of Charlotte's favorite things. In her statement, Gerson repeatedly called Travis a boy. She said no man would have acted like he did.

Starting point is 00:17:54 She said she would love nothing more than the see this boy spend his life in prison. She said to Travis, and I quote, Putting your hand on an innocent, full of life little girl was not only wrong but selfish. You robbed her of an entire life she was barely given the chance to experience. You robbed us, her family, of getting to watch her grow up. We will never watch her wave goodbye to us on her first day of school. We will never teach her how to ride a bike. She will never experience a tooth fairy.

Starting point is 00:18:23 We'll never get to watch her win the big game or competition for whatever sport she would have played. We will never help her pick out prom dresses. We will never watch her walk across the stage to receive that diploma she would have worked so hard for. We'll never get to help her decide on a career. We'll never get to watch her grow up and follow. in love, get married, or become a mother. We will never be able to watch what her life would have

Starting point is 00:18:46 become because of you and your cowardly actions. You are the furthest thing from a man. You, Travis Graham, are a coward. Travis was sentenced to 20 years for Charlotte's death, and an additional 10 years for conspiring to commit armed robbery. The 10 years was concurrent with the five-year sentence he had already had for robberies committed in Gloucester and Salem counties. He must serve. at least 25 years of his 30-year sentence before he will become eligible for parole. He is currently serving his sentence at the Northern State Prison in Newark. Judge Blue said Charlotte had a big impact during her short life. She said, and I quote,

Starting point is 00:19:26 I've never met Charlotte. I almost feel like I know a lot about this little girl and the effect she had on everybody. Everybody doesn't have that ability to make other people feel special or to find good in everyone. Sounds like Charlotte was given that gift to make everyone feel good about themselves. We're all given jobs when we are born. Charlotte certainly has served her job well. The judge did not think Travis was sorry for his actions, she said. I note that he looks stone-faced. I see nothing to suggest that he's remorseful. She also comforted the family by reminding them that Charlotte lived on in the memories and in their hearts. She said, you didn't lose your granddaughter.

Starting point is 00:20:04 She's here. Charlotte's farewell ceremony was held on March 20th at the Beginnis funeral home in Sewell, New Jersey. She wore the dress that she had picked out for Easter. Easter was on April 24th that year, almost a month after her funeral. Her bruises were covered up by clothes and makeup. After the ceremony, her body was cremated. While there was no child protective case opened while Charlotte was alive, after Travis was charged, New Jersey DCCP investigated.

Starting point is 00:20:33 They determined there was evidence substantiating Travis for physical abuse, child death, medical neglect. DCCP also said Caitlin had some responsibility for what happened. They substantiated Caitlin for child neglect and death for failing to make reasonable efforts to protect her child. They, however, did not move forward with charges against Caitlin. According to her mother, Renee, they didn't press charges because Caitlin was at work when it happened. Many family members believe Caitlin was aware of his drug use and multiple armed robberies. They also believed she knew he was hurting Charlotte.

Starting point is 00:21:08 Caitlin claimed she had no idea Travis was hurting her little girl. She also claimed he never hit her until after Charlotte died. Renee defended her daughter, said Caitlin was afraid of Travis and had to keep talking to him in order to keep herself and her unborn baby safe. She claimed she saw Caitlin bruised and beaten by Travis. Renee also pointed out that there were other people in the house, including his parents. Travis' mother was allegedly there the morning of the incident and she didn't raise any alarm. Kirsten created Charlotte's voice, a community to keep her memory alive.

Starting point is 00:21:44 Charlotte's voice also sold pink glittery bracelets in her honor. Her ultimate goal was to raise money for organizations that helped Charlotte during her time of need. Those organizations were the Cooper Hospital Pick You, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, and the Gloucester Police Department. Kirsten keeps Charlotte's memory alive for her baby sister. One of her favorite videos of Charlotte shows her popping out of a tent and saying, Tadda. Kirsten has shown the video countless times. When Kirsten asked her what Sissy says, the little girl replies with,

Starting point is 00:22:19 Tadda. Kirsten feels Charlotte's presence. She believes the little girl leaves little signs to show she was watching over everyone and keeping them safe. On November 22, 2018, Kirsten posted a picture with the caption, it didn't kill me, but something inside me died that day. Today another holiday came and went. Another holiday without you. Hell, how about just another day without you?

Starting point is 00:22:45 It doesn't matter if the day is significant or not. It just doesn't get any easier. It doesn't get easier because it isn't right. None of this is. We're always posting pictures and writing things to you, but anymore it makes me so sad. I miss your face. I miss your smile. I miss that laugh.

Starting point is 00:23:03 I miss your famous aunt tear you'd always greet me with. Today was just Thanksgiving and tomorrow will just be Friday. But after that, we'll be your fifth birthday where lots of your family will be letting balloons go to you because it's the closest we get to celebrating with you. After that, we'll be the second Christmas we will all wake up and make new memories, share old ones in open presents. But every single person who is in your life

Starting point is 00:23:31 will feel that emptiness of you being gone. I wish I could go back in time and save you. I wish that I could kiss your perfect little face one more time. I wish that I could feel your little arm squeezing around me. Everyone misses you, baby, so much. Your baby sister is getting so big and she's such a happy little girl. She's spicy, but when her sweet side comes out, I see so much of you. I know you two would have loved each other so much.

Starting point is 00:23:59 I love you forever and always. I will continue to be your voice and fight for you. you until my last breath. I will always be thankful for our time together.

The Misery Machine - The Case of Charlette Dawkins

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