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SALT LAKE CITY — The great grandmother of a toddler severely injured in an apparent case of child abuse said the boy will likely be taken off life support Tuesday.
"I think he needs to go back to Heavenly Father. I think he's had enough sadness and hurt," a tearful Carolyn Crawford said.
On Monday, Xander Toliver, who turned 1 on Tuesday, was rushed to the hospital for what was originally reported as a medical problem. But doctors at Primary Children's Hospital called police immediately after the boy arrived to report possible child abuse. Xander suffered major head trauma and was not expected to survive, according to police.
Brian Taylor, 24, was arrested for investigation of intentional child abuse. Taylor is the boyfriend of Xander's mother. The couple lived in Crawford's house at 2393 S. 800 East.
"He was a very good baby, didn't cry a lot," Crawford said Tuesday.
She said Xander was just learning to play with his toy blocks and learning to wave goodbye.
"We had fun with him every night," she said.
Crawford didn't know much about what happened Monday afternoon. She said she only heard screaming after they found Xander lying on the floor "like he was dead."
Taylor was very quiet as paramedics were called and arrived, she said.
State court records show that Taylor has a minor criminal history in Utah, including a misdemeanor conviction earlier this year for selling tobacco products to a minor.
