BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW)—The mother of a two-year-old child who was beaten to death in July of 2018 has been sentenced to 25 years to life for murder in the second degree and manslaughter in the first degree.
23-year-old Keona Owens spoke to 7 Eyewitness News the day after her two-year-old son, Xavion Hazzard, was killed after an incident with her boyfriend Bashar Hall.
Keona Owens will serve an indeterminate sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the fatal injuries to her toddler son. https://t.co/NZ263srl2k
— WGRZ (@WGRZ) June 28, 2019
“It was not intentional, it was not on purpose. [Hall] never meant for this to happen,” Owens said.
“Even though nothing can go back to the way it was, Xavion will not be forgotten and Bashar will be forgiven,” Owens continued.
Just two days later Owens was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the shaking and beating death of Hazzard.
Owens and Hall both pleaded not guilty to charges in September 2018.
Keona Owens and Bashar Hall were initially charged with manslaughter in the July death of Owens’ son Xavion Hazzard. Today, the two have been charged with 2nd degree murder. pic.twitter.com/PUdKDRg5JL
— WBEN NewsRadio 930AM (@NewsRadio930) September 7, 2018
In court, an assistant district attorney said that both Hall and Owens admitted during interviews that they abused the child multiple times.
According to officials, the medical examiner determined the toddler died from multiple blunt force trauma.
“This little boy was beaten to death by his own mother, the person who should have loved and cared for him. This was a horrific crime and I will be asking for the maximum when this defendant is sentenced,” Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said in February.
