Charlotte babysitter accused of killing 7-month-old boy in her care, CMPD says

The death of a 7-month-old boy was murder, and the family’s babysitter is a suspect, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

Read more Family argument over messy kitchen escalates to gunfire, NC sheriff says

Julien Malik Grayson had been left in the care of 28-year-old Shidae Monique Sellers on Sept. 7, officials say.

He was admitted to a hospital with “life-threatening” head injuries on Sept. 9, and died on Sept. 16, police say.

“The victim’s mother reported she received a phone call from Shidae Sellers on 9/9/2026 in the evening, telling her to meet her at the hospital because the victim was not well and he had fallen off the couch,” an affidavit says.

“Detectives responded to the hospital on 9/10/2026 and learned the victim’s injuries (skull fractures, axonal shearing) are severe and have resulted in the victim being intubated. These injuries are also consistent with nonaccidental trauma.”

Read more Photos of the Week

Sellers told detectives she and the boy were alone when he “fell off the couch” at her apartment in southwest Charlotte, officials said.

“She denied any other accident occurring to the victim,” the affidavit says.

“Detectives confirmed with medical staff, the timeline of the incident reported by the defendant is consistent. … Medical (staff) also confirmed the mechanism of injury provided by the defendant is not a valid explanation for the totality of the injuries.”

Sellers has been charged with first degree murder and felony intentional child abuse/serious bodily injury, court documents say. She remains in custody, police say.

Read more Former Wells Fargo tower may become a historic landmark amid redevelopment plans