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Buffalo mother found guilty of beating toddler son to death

Posted at 9:56 AM, Feb 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-23 09:56:03-05

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — 23-year-old Keona Owens has been found guilty of beating her toddler son to death in July of 2018 according to Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.

Owens' boyfriend, Bashar Hall, was originally arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Owen's two-year-old son Xavion Hazzard.

7 Eyewitness News spoke with Owens the day of Hall's arrest.

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

The Buffalo 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 continued.

Just days after speaking with 7EWN Owens was arrested and charged in connection with her son's death.

It was determined Owens acted in concert with Hall and injured Hazzard who later died at Oishei Children's Hospital.

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

Owens was found guilty on second degree murder and first degree manslaughter charges, she faces up to life in prison when sentenced in May.

The trial for Hall is scheduled to begin in April.