Eufaula child ‘clinically dead’ in Massachusetts
Photo taken from http://www.telegram.com
Published: June 24, 2009
Updated: June 24, 2009
Nathaniel Turner calls elders by “Ma’am” and “Sir.”
The 7-year-old Eufaulian enjoys staying home and playing in the yard. He is an excellent student at Eufaula Primary School who loves to give his first-grade teacher Kelly Whitehead hugs.
EPS principal Suzann Tibbs thinks of his smile.
“The smile in the picture - he has it all the time,” she said a recently-taken photo. “With the dimple.”
He is a delight to his grandmother Chrissy Taylor, who has raised him from the time he was born, and to others who know him.
But it appears Nathaniel’s promising life could be taken too soon. He was declared “clinically dead” Tuesday afternoon in Massachusetts after he was allegedly beaten by his father, Leslie G. Schuler, on Father’s Day.
The 36-year-old Schuler now faces multiple charges, including several counts of assault and battery and assault with intent to murder.
Newspapers in Massachusetts, including Worcester where the alleged abuse occured, are reporting that Schuler allegedly slammed Nathaniel’s head into a wall on Father’s Day. It was reportedly the latest in a series of abusive acts that have occurred since Nathaniel was ordered by a court to spent the summer with his father.
A juvenile court judge was expected to rule Wednesday afternoon whether Nathaniel will be taken off of life support at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus.
Attempts to reach Taylor for comment on Wednesday were unsuccessful. However, stories coming from Massachusetts of how a 7-year-old could be placed in such an abusive situation are disturbing.
According to the Worcester Gazette-Herald, Schuler was also charged with a 2006 assault stemming from an alleged attack of a man with a pipe.
Schuler has reportedly paid child support for three years according to the Boston Herald, but this summer was apparently the first time that Nathaniel has spent this much time with his father in Massachusetts.
Family members stated that Nathaniel did not want to leave Eufaula for the summer.
It was difficult for the child in Massachusetts, according to police. He had allegedly been abused both physically and mentally by his father for several weeks, according to media reports.
“He reportedly had been sleeping on the floor of a bedroom after Mr. Schuler removed all his toys and furniture as a disciplinary measure for disrespect,” the Telegram states.
Schuler’s girlfriend, Tiffany Hyman, 28, allegedly watched the abuse take place. She was charged with two counts of assault and battery on a child causing serious bodily injuries.
Schuler was held on $250,000 cash bail and Hyman on $50,000.
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Reader Reactions
The Bible says to have “no pity” on those who shed innocent blood. I have no pity for the monster that murdered my child’s best friend in cold blood.
I have read several articles in the Boston Globe; there is no record that Leslie Schuler had a court order for this visit. I’m quite sure Chrissy Taylor thought he did or she would never allowed Nathaniel to go.
One day Mr. Schuler will stand before the Judge that is faithful and true. God will administer justice whatever happens here on earth.
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. I can’t reach them because of the distance; but God can and He will.
It is a very sad fact of life that so many people are facing. We can’t protect the children we love because the courts are so busy trying to “foster” a relationship between a biological parent and a child. They are so busy chasing a pipe dream of happy ever after that they don’t stop to read the file. Many times the judge does not even know the child’s name when he hands down an order. To the judicial system they are a case number. The person raising these children hear their fears, hear their wants and fulfill their needs. Then we are told that custody can be taken if we don’t comply with a visitation order handed down by this same person that has not even taken the time to find out the facts or to even learn their name. These same judges are not praying until these children come back safe no they are home with their own children and don’t even think about juv*what ever the number is* after they hit their gavel. If you are a judge or a guardian at litem AND you are reading this: When there is a petition for visitation from a parent that has not been in a child’s life or has not been active: You have a moral obligation to read each child’s file! You have a moral obligation to find out as much about each child’s case BEFORE you send them to a visitation. You have a moral obligation to say NO to unsupervised visitation until you & a caseworker are satisfied they will be safe. You would not send your children to stay with someone that has not shown that they cared for your children why in the world would you send our precious children to fend for themselves! All of us will be judged in heaven based upon how we handle our moral obligations and you will be too.
We will see you in Heaven Nathaniel. Thanks to the Lord Jesus and the fact you trusted Him as your Saviour.
Pastor Montgomery
Nathaniel attends our church (Grace Independent Baptist). He is loved by all of our members. He was going to attend Church Camp with us but had to go to his dads. We are praying for Nathaniel and his family. This is truly a awful example of how far sin will take a person, for a father to do this to his own son. Let’s all please pray and support this family.
Pastor Montomery
This is a senseless loss of life. The courts should have done some sort of evaluation of the father before issuing such an order. It appears that the system failed this kid!! He paid child support big deal, Now a child is severly hurt(CLINICALLY DEAD) because of poor judgement. My prayers go out to this family. May god hands be upon you in this time in your life. May this MF get whats coming to him. HOPEFULLY SOMEONE SLAMS HIS HEAD INTO A WALL WHILE INCARCERATED. HE NEEDS NO BOND.
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