Fistfight Breaks Out At Toddler's Funeral

Fistfight Breaks Out At Toddler's Funeral

Toddler Died While In Aunt's Foster Care

November 20, 2008

MILWAUKEE -- Violence erupted at the funeral of a Milwaukee toddler who died violently.

Christopher Thomas Jr. died last week of severe injuries and trauma while in the foster care of his aunt, WISN-TV in Milwaukee reported.

Family, friends and even strangers came to Serenity Funeral Home to say goodbye to 1-year-old Christopher.

His autopsy showed he had broken bones. But violence continued after his death.

A fistfight began at the foot of his open casket and spilled into the foyer of the funeral home.

After a hostile exchange of words, Thomas' father, Christopher Thomas Sr., was attacked by family members from the maternal side of the family.

The baby's father left his son's funeral bloody and battered in an ambulance, the television station reported.

"This ain't the way. This is not the way," great-grandmother Katherine Shaw said.

Great-grandparents Katherine and Frank Shaw traveled from Alabama for the service.

"We didn't want him to go home this way. We want him to go home the right way. That's not right what happened in there," Frank Shaw said.

But emotions were raw as each side of the family blamed the other for what happened to Christopher.

Christopher's older sister, Christyanna, is now in foster care.

"I begged the system to take her out that home before this even happened to her. They ignored what I'm saying. Give us Christyanna so it won't happen to her," Katherine Shaw said.

"I'm tired. I've been crying all week -- every day, every day," grandmother Darlene Keith said.

Christopher Thomas Sr.'s mother was also upset. She has another son who is married to Crystal Keith, the aunt accused in Christopher's death.

Said Frank Shaw: "Have love for everybody. You've got to have love for everybody."