A 41-year-old barber from California is accused of fatally beating a 6-year-old boy he was babysitting after the child had an accident at a park.
Ernest Lamar Love faces charges of murder, torture, and child abuse in the death of Chance Crawford, who died in Placentia, near Los Angeles. Chance’s mother had left him at Love’s barbershop on August 29 before starting her overnight shift at a hospital.
Seven hours later, Love allegedly brought the severely injured child to Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Doctors found severe injuries, including missing flesh from Chance’s buttocks, brain swelling, and signs of violent shaking.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Love using a large piece of lumber to beat Chance, then pouring hydrogen peroxide on the wounds and making the boy perform exercises.
Instead of calling 911, Love drove Chance to the hospital, where he later died.
Love, who faces a potential prison sentence of 32 years to life if convicted, is currently held without bond.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer vowed to seek justice for the child, emphasizing the cruelty of the case.
Friends and family have set up GoFundMe pages remembering Chance as a joyful and talented child who loved Mickey Mouse and Sesame Street. They expressed deep sorrow over his loss and described him as a bright and promising young boy taken too soon.
Love has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
