Graham’s son arrested Sept. 15 for child abuse

VERNAL — Danette Graham’s husband, Carlos Graham Jr. was arrested here Sept. 15 on charges of sexually abusing a child.
The next day, Danette Graham received word her in-laws — Carlos Graham Sr. and Lucille Graham — were found dead in their home just outside of Rangely. Authorities later ruled the deaths a murder-suicide.
Was there a connection? Investigators believe there may have been, but they aren’t saying much.
“I can’t comment on that,” said Rio Blanco County Undersheriff Mike Joos. “That’s not our case.”
Danette Graham isn’t talking about her husband’s case, either.
“I can’t talk about that,” she said.
Asked if the arrest of Carlos Graham Jr. may have been a factor in the shooting deaths of Carlos Sr. and his wife, Danette Graham said, “I have no idea.”
Lucille Graham’s health may have been a factor as well.
“They were both distraught over her declining medical condition,” Joos said.
Barbara Wade of Rangely, a close friend of Carlos and Lucille Graham, said the combination of Lucille’s failing health and news of their son’s arrest may have been too overwhelming.
“They had a lot of problems in their life,” Wade said, mentioning the Grahams had another son Rick, who was killed in a truck accident about four years ago.
Further complicating matters, Wade said Danette Graham told her the charges of sexual child abuse against Carlos Graham Jr., 44, involved a member of the family.
The investigating officer said he could not confirm that information.
Wade said Carlos and Lucille Graham also had a grandson and another granddaughter in Fruita.
“They worshiped their grandkids,” Wade said. “They bought those grandkids anything they wanted.”
Carlos Graham Jr. is in the Uintah County Jail on $175,000 bond. He was arraigned Monday and appointed legal counsel, said Detective Ben Murray of the Vernal Police Department, who was the investigating officer.
“So now we start the court process,” Murray said. “That’s where we’re at.”
According to a news release from the Vernal Police Department, he will be charged with six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and one count of rape of a child.
The investigation into allegations concerning Carlos Graham Jr. began Sept. 9, according to the news release.