North Carolina dad accused of killing child’s grandmother with car, running off afterwards

Bradford Brown was given a $500,000 bond and ordered to have no contact with his child, the child’s mother or the 72-year-old victim’s husband.

A North Carolina custody exchange turned deadly when the child’s grandmother was allegedly hit and killed by his father.

Bradford Brown, 35, was arrested on Friday in Wake County, North Carolina, on a charge of felony voluntary manslaughter, according to court documents. Appearing at the Wake County Justice Center on Monday, Brown told the court he was “sorry” for his actions, reported local news outlets CBS17 and WRAL.

Wake County Assistant District Attorney Doug Faucette outlined an alleged series of events to Judge Mark Stevens Monday, saying Brown hit his 6-year-old son’s maternal grandmother, 72-year-old Fukuyo Koketsu Bryant, with a car after an argument broke out during a custody exchange.

What allegedly happened at Fukuyo Koketsu Bryant’s home?

Faucette alleged that the conflict began in the driveway of Bryant’s Apex home around 10 p.m. on Friday after Brown came to pick his child up without a proper car seat, reported CBS17 and WRAL. Bryant allegedly tried reaching into the car after the child was placed inside without the seat, reported WRAL, and it was after that that Faucette said “(Brown) put his car in reverse, accelerating onto the victim.“

A search warrant reviewed by USA TODAY said the rear passenger door hit Bryant as Brown reversed into her, knocking her onto the ground, where she was then run over by the car’s tires. He then allegedly brought the child into the home before escaping on foot, though he was arrested shortly after.

Bryant died on the road where she was struck, WRAL reported.

Bradford Brown’s child’s mother’s attorney says ‘he was volatile in the past’

Brown and the child’s mother, Crystal Bryant, had been in an ongoing custody battle leading up to the incident, reported local outlets. In court, Bryant’s existing custody lawyer, attorney C. Melody Davalos, said, “There have been numerous instances where he was volatile in the past.”

When asked about the child’s condition, Davalos told the court, “Was he physically harmed? No. Scarred for his entire life? Yes.“

Judge Stevens set a bond of $500,000 and ordered that Brown have no contact with his child, Crystal Bryant, or Harold Bryant, the husband of the victim. Brown was issued a public defender and instructed to wear an ankle monitor for at-home arrest if he does meet bond.

An additional man who was in the car with Brown was identified but is not a victim, officials told CBS17.

USA TODAY reached out to Brown’s attorney for comment but has not received a response.