Leadville Couple, Parents Of 'Jihad Jamie,' Face Child Abuse Charges
LEADVILLE, Colo. (CBS4) - A Leadville woman earned the nickname "Jihad Jamie" for her role in a terror plot, now her parents who have custody of her boy are facing child abuse allegations.
George and Christine Mott are expected to appear in court Thursday afternoon in Leadville. In addition to the child abuse charges they face assault and reckless endangerment charges.
The couple was given custody of the boy after his mother, Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, was arrested in Ireland two years ago. She moved to Ireland from Leadville and was arrested on charges of terrorism in a plot to kill a Swedish cartoonist.
RELATED: Leadville Woman Admits Aiding Foreign Terrorist Cell
The Motts were arrested in April after court records claim George, Paulin-Ramirez's stepfather, slammed a dog to the ground and then said "That's how I get kids and dogs to listen, and how I discipline them."
George Mott also allegedly used an electronic dog collar on the boy as well as wrapping a belt and his legs around the boy's neck.
"There were marks left from that and there was a dog collar that apparently was powered -- like you might use to shock a dog -- that was also used on the child," said Leadville police spokeswoman Betty Benson said.
Court documents say Christine Mott, Paulin-Ramirez's mother, watched as the abuse happened.
Christine says the allegations are false. She says her husband's race is being used against him by people in the town who are prejudiced against him.
"Here he is, a big, black intimidating man. Most people are afraid of him. He's big and he does intimidate people, but he does it on purpose because it's a defense mechanism with him," Christine said.
George Mott is not allowed anywhere near his grandson or the home where they lived.
"If that man had harmed a hair on that child's head, he'd be six feet under and I'd be in prison for murder," said Christine Mott.
Christine still has custody of the child but that may change soon.
Paulin-Ramirez is still awaiting sentencing, which will take place after her husband, an Algerian, has his trial.
