An Orange County barber, Ernest Lamar Love, has been charged with the murder and torture of six-year-old Chance Crawford, whom he was babysitting, authorities announced. The 41-year-old from Placentia could face a maximum sentence of 32 years to life plus five additional years if convicted on all charges, which include one count each of murder, torture, and child abuse causing death.
The charges arose after the boy was taken to the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) early on the morning of August 30. According to KTLA, authorities say the child had just finished his third day of first grade and was dropped off at Love's barbershop around 6:30 p.m. Video surveillance captured later the same evening shows Love entering his barbershop with an a large piece of raw lumber, with the boy following reluctantly.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office reported that Love is accused of striking the child with the lumber after he reportedly wet his pants at a park. As detailed in the DA's release, "Love is accused of beating the first grader with the piece of lumber, then pouring hydrogen peroxide on the open wounds before forcing the boy to do push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks." When the boy collapsed, Love is said to have taken him to CHOC rather than calling 911.
Chance's egregious injuries included missing flesh from his buttocks, leading to gaping wounds, subdural hematoma, and extreme brain swelling, all indicative of a violent assault. The DA's statement, as quoted by the Orange County DA's office, painted a grim picture of the little boy’s suffering, revealing also a healing fracture on his shoulder blade.
The boy passed away from his injuries on September 3. Reflecting on the tragedy, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, "Words do not exist to describe the absolute terror this little boy was forced to endure – all at the hands of someone who was supposed to be protecting him, not torturing him to death." Spitzer's comments underscore the harrowing nature of the crime and the community's shock, as conveyed through an interview by CBS News Los Angeles. In light of the devastating events, two GoFundMe campaigns have been organized to assist the family with funeral expenses.
Love, who has entered a plea of not guilty, is currently being held without bail. The child's father, Vance Crawford, shared with KTLA his profound grief and described Love as "a monster" who "deserves what’s coming." The prosecution has pledged to pursue justice for Chance to be the protector in death that he was tragically denied in life.
