Family: Durham mom doesn't deserve charges in son's accidental death

Amy Suzanne Pittman, 36, was arrested Wednesday on manslaughter and 10 other charges in the April 28 death of Christian Patterson, who authorities say was shot by his 12-year-old brother while they played with a gun at their home on Macon Street.

After a court appearance Thursday on an unrelated traffic charge, her oldest son, Deeshawn Magwood, 19, said the gun belonged to Pittman's ex-boyfriend and that she did not know it was in the home.

He said his younger brothers found it behind the refrigerator.

"I feel like it's a mistake, because one thing about it, she's never harmed us, never put us in harm's way," Magwood said. "She's always broke her back for us."

Pittman, who family members also say wasn't home at the time, also faces three counts each of felony gross negligence child abuse, misdemeanor child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of failure to store firearms to protect minors.

Pittman was in the Durham County jail Thursday under a $151,000 bond and is expected to appear in Superior Court on Monday.

"We're here for my mama," Magwood said. "We're going to fight it to the end."