Watch CBS News

Baltimore 'Mom Of The Year' Goes Viral After She Disciplines Rioter Son

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Baltimore mother is making headlines. Some are calling her "mom of the year" for how she reacts to seeing her son as part of the riots.

Marcus Washington has more on who this mother is and why she is getting so much attention.

"I could see the objects being thrown at the police and I was like in awe. Like, 'Oh my God, this is really happening right here with me,'" Toya Graham said. "Low and behold, I turn around and I look in this crowd and my son is actually coming across the street."

In a hoodie, Toya Graham knew her 16-year-old son, grabbing and hitting him—all while police and cameras surrounded her.

"And he gave me eye contact. And at that point, not even thinking about cameras or anything like that."

It's the reaction of a mother scared of what could happen to her only son.

"At the end of the day, I don't want him to be a Freddie Gray," said Graham. "But to stand up there and vandalize police officers, that's not justice. I'm a single mom, and I have six children. I just chose not to live like that anymore."

Shocked and angry that her son was part of a group that turned violent by throwing rocks at police and damaging their cars.

At the end of the night, there were more than 200 arrests. Toya is happy Micahel was not one of them.

"Is he the perfect boy? No, he's not. But he's mine," she said. "I'm just grateful I was able to get him home. I hope that he understands the seriousness what was going on last night."

"You had one mother who grabbed their child who had a hood on his head and she started smacking him on the head because she was so embarrassed. I wish I had more parents that took charge of their kids out there tonight," said Commissioner Anthony Batts, Baltimore City Police Department.

Toya Graham was featured on CBS This Morning.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.