Mother of 2-year-old boy killed in Buffalo speaks out, forgives boyfriend charged with manslaughter

Keona Owens feels like she lost her son and her boyfriend in the same day. On Tuesday, 2-year-old Xavion Hazzard died after some sort of incident with his mom's boyfriend Bashar Hall. Owens says her boyfriend did not mean to hurt the child and calls what happened an "accident". The Erie County District Attorney has charged Hall with 1st Degree Manslaughter.

"It was not intentional," Owens said in her home on Weaver Street in Buffalo's Kaisertown neighborhood. "It was not on purpose. [Hall] never meant for this to happen."

Owens spoke with 7 Eyewitness News reporter Josh Bazan, but declined to speak on camera.

According to Buffalo Police, officers responded to the home shortly after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to a call for an injured child who had fallen. Officers brought Hall to Buffalo Police Headquarters for questioning, after which he was arrested and charged with the crime.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn says the child was shaken and beaten, before being brought to Children's Hospital where he died.

"I cannot comprehend what would lead someone to do this alleged act," he said.

But, Xavion's mother said Hall was like a father to the boy and "would never hurt anyone".

"Even though nothing can go back to the way it was, Xavion will not be forgotten and Bashar will be forgiven," Owens said.

Owens wants Bashar to be able to come home soon. The couple have two daughters together, 1-year-old Anyla and 2-month-old Chyna.

The investigation continues and Flynn has not ruled out the possibility of upgrading the charge to murder. That will depend on the results of the autopsy, Flynn said.