ERNEST LAMAR LOVE | 6-Year-Old Boy Who Just Started First Grade Beaten to Death with ‘large piece of raw lumber’ by Trusted Prophet/Minster Babysitting Barber Because He Peed His Pants at Park | ALS

Ernest Love. Autographed Letter Signed. Commercial #10 (4.125” x 9.5”) envelope. Santa Ana, CA. February 20, 2025. Content unknown. SEALED.

A Betrayal of Trust: The Tragic Case of Ernest Lamar Love

In the quiet community of Placentia, California, a harrowing event unfolded that would forever scar the hearts of its residents. On August 29, 2024, a trusted barber and self-proclaimed man of faith, Ernest Lamar Love, was accused of a crime that defied comprehension: the brutal torture and murder of six-year-old Chance Crawford, a boy left in his care.

Basic Information

• Full Name: Ernest Lamar Love

• Date of Birth: Approximately 1983 (age 41 at the time of the incident)

• Place of Birth: Information not publicly disclosed

• Current Location: Incarcerated, awaiting trial

• Criminal Record Summary: Charged with felony counts of murder, torture, and child abuse causing death

Background

Details about Love's early life and family background remain sparse. He operated a barbershop in Placentia, where he was known to the local community. Love had established a relationship with Chance's mother, reportedly meeting her at church. This connection led her to entrust her son to his care while she worked night shifts as a nurse's assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Criminal Activity

On the evening of August 29, 2024, after completing his third day of first grade, Chance Crawford was dropped off at Love's barbershop around 6:30 p.m. Surveillance footage later revealed Love entering the shop with a large piece of raw lumber, with a hesitant Chance trailing behind. Prosecutors allege that Love subjected the boy to a horrific ordeal: beating him with the lumber, pouring hydrogen peroxide on his open wounds, and forcing him to perform strenuous exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, and jumping jacks. “Pieces of flesh were falling off his body.” This brutal punishment was reportedly inflicted because Chance had wet his pants at a local park earlier that evening.

Legal Proceedings

In the early hours of August 30, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., Love carried an unconscious and barely breathing Chance into the emergency room at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). Medical examinations revealed severe injuries: extensive tissue damage to his buttocks, subdural hematoma, significant brain swelling, and signs consistent with violent shaking. Additionally, there was evidence of a healing fracture on his shoulder blade. Love was subsequently arrested and charged with felony counts of murder, torture, and child abuse resulting in death. He pleaded not guilty and was held without bail. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 32 years to life, plus an additional five years.

Impact on Victims and Society

The primary victim, young Chance Crawford, endured unimaginable pain leading to his tragic death. His family was left devastated, grappling with the loss of a vibrant child known for his love of Mickey Mouse and his infectious smile. The community reacted with profound sorrow and outrage, holding vigils and memorials in his honor. The case drew widespread media attention, prompting discussions about the vetting of individuals entrusted with childcare and the necessity for stringent background checks.

Current Status

As of February 2025, Ernest Lamar Love remains incarcerated, awaiting trial. There is no public record of any rehabilitation efforts on his part. The gravity of the charges suggests that, if convicted, he would pose a diminished threat to society due to prolonged incarceration.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Chance Crawford underscores the critical importance of thoroughly vetting individuals who are given responsibility over children. It serves as a stark reminder for parents and guardians to exercise vigilance and for communities to foster environments where the safety and well-being of children are paramount.

Additional Note

Given the notoriety of this case, any autographed items associated with Ernest Lamar Love may hold significant value due to their rarity and the public's morbid curiosity surrounding infamous criminal figures.

• VIDEO: 'Church is traumatized': OC community stunned after 6-year-old tortured to death | https://youtu.be/Y0pRfOZ4BBI

• VIDEO: Barber Beat 6-Year-Old To Death With Lumber For Wetting Pants: DA | https://youtu.be/KZQ66VplYC4

Archiving Protocol:

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