Chance Crawford Obituary, Death; – A family in California is grieving the loss of their “sweet” 6-year-old son, who was reportedly beaten to death with a piece of lumber by his babysitter just days after he began first grade. “Why would this happen to him? He didn’t get to experience the rest of his life,” expressed Chance’s father, Vance Crawford, in an interview with KABC. “He’s only 6 years old. I wanted to witness my son graduate.”
According to prosecutors, Love, a barber, was responsible for caring for Chance last Thursday while the boy’s mother worked the night shift as a nurse’s assistant. He is accused of inflicting severe harm on the child, including beating him with a piece of lumber, applying hydrogen peroxide to his open wounds, and forcing him to perform physical exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks.
“Words cannot adequately convey the sheer terror this young boy was subjected to—at the hands of someone who was meant to safeguard him, not subject him to such brutality,” stated Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer in a press release.
Love allegedly brought an unconscious Chance to the emergency room of a children’s hospital around 1:30 a.m. last Friday. Medical professionals reported that the 6-year-old had extensive wounds with significant skin loss from his buttocks, as well as brain swelling and bleeding indicative of violent shaking, according to prosecutors.
Chance succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday afternoon. “Witnessing my son in such a critical state from the moment he arrived was utterly devastating,” Crawford shared with KTLA. “He did not pass away peacefully. His death was tragic, and it is profoundly unfair.”
Prosecutors allege that Love assaulted Chance, who had just begun first grade, after the child had an accident at the park. Chance’s family held a vigil in his memory on Wednesday night, describing him to KABC as “sweet,” “always smiling,” and “a wonderful child.”
“This is slowly destroying us, as no child deserves to be treated in this manner,” remarked Chance’s cousin, Aisha Herrell. “He was blossoming into a beautiful, intelligent young boy. We are heartbroken that he is no longer with us.”
