A California family is mourning the loss of 6-year-old Chance Crawford, who was allegedly beaten to death by his babysitter just days after starting first grade. The suspect, Ernest Lamar Love, 41, faces charges of murder, torture and child abuse resulting in death, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Love declared itself innocent.
Chance’s father, Vance Crawford, expressed his grief, saying: ABC 7 “Why would this happen to him? He didn’t get to live the rest of his life. He’s 6 years old. I wanted to see my son graduate.”
Prosecutors say Love, a barber, was babysitting Chance last Thursday while the boy’s mother worked the night shift at the hospital. Love is accused of beating the boy with a piece of wood, pouring hydrogen peroxide on his open wounds and forcing him to perform physical exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer He condemned the horrific crime, saying: “There are no words to describe the absolute terror this little boy was forced to endure, all at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect him, not torture him to death.”
Around 1:30 a.m. last Friday, Love allegedly took Chance, who was unconscious, to a children’s hospital. Doctors found open wounds, missing skin on the boy’s buttocks and signs of swelling and bleeding on the brain, consistent with violent shaking, according to prosecutors. Despite medical efforts, Chance tragically died from his injuries on Tuesday.
Vance Crawford spoke of the devastating loss, saying: KTLA“To see my son like this, in critical condition from the moment he was brought in, is just devastating. He didn’t even die in peace. He died tragically and it’s not fair.”
Prosecutors revealed that the beating began after Chance wet his pants at the park. The boy’s family held a vigil in his memory and described him as “sweet,” “always smiling,” and “a great kid.” Chance’s cousin, Aisha Herrell, shared, “This is slowly killing us because no child deserves to be treated like this.”
Chance’s mother reportedly I met the suspect at church. The family is now urging parents to be careful who babysits their children. “He lived a happy life,” Vance Crawford said. “I love my son. I miss him so much. He didn’t deserve that.”
Love is being held without bail and could face a sentence of 32 years to life in prison, plus an additional five years if convicted. The family has created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs.