Eufaula child 'clinically dead' in Massachusetts

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.