Meet Toya Graham Mom of the Year

Toya Graham became the unofficial “Mom of the Year” when she caught her son rioting during the conflict in Baltimore.

She didn’t ask him to share his feelings, give him space to “blow off steam” or chant “No justice, no peace.” No, she took the no-excuses route, screaming some sense at the startled youngster while slapping him repeatedly in the face. Hard.

 Cameras were rolling as she slapped her son and tried to take him away from the disturbance, and that video footage went viral on Tuesday. 

Speaking out for the first time after the incident, Graham told a leading new channel, she wanted to prevent her son from becoming another Freddie Gray.

“He gave me eye contact. And at that point, you know, not even thinking about cameras or anything like that,” Graham said. “That’s my only son, and at the end of the day I don’t want him to be a Freddie Gray.”

Graham has been widely praised for her attempt to discipline her son and even sparked a reaction from Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts. “I wish I had more parents who took charge of their kids tonight,” he said

Mayhem erupted in the city after the funeral of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man who died from injuries sustained during an arrest.

With at least 15 officers being injured, looting and arson across the city, and other acts of violence, it is understandable that parents would want their children to stay away from the riots.

Video Courtesy: ABC 2 News – WMAR