SALT LAKE CITY — A man who had initially faced child abuse charges after a young child died was formally charged with murder Friday.
Xander Toliver turned one while on life support, and he died last week due to physical trauma allegedly caused by child abuse.
Brian Luther Taylor, 24, was charged Friday with first-degree felony murder. Court documents allege that on Dec. 30 Taylor caused the death of the child.
According to court documents, the child’s mother left the baby in Taylor’s care for a few minutes when she left to get a glass of water. She stated that when she returned the child gasping for breath and Taylor was standing next to the child’s crib. She stated the child was “floppy and unresponsive.”
According to court documents, a pediatrician stated that the child’s injuries were consistent with a massive inflicted injury to the brain.
Xander was taken off of life support on Jan. 2, which is when he died.
FOX 13 News will have more information as it becomes available.
