June 30, 2009 Family puzzled by Turner's death Play video

(NECN: Josh Brogadir, Worcester, Mass.) - A Worcester, Massachusetts man has been charged with murder in the death of his son, 7-year-old Nathaniel Turner.

The boy was taken off life support over the weekend. On Tuesday, we heard from the child's grandmother, who wants just one question answered: Why.

Christine Taylor wants that answer.

But she contained her anger today, instead focusing on her memories of her grandson, Nathaniel Turner.

"Nathaniel is happy. Please believe me you all. He is happy," Taylor said.

Trying to hold back her emotions as she described the love she had for her grandson, Nathaniel Turner, Christine Taylor, also spoke Tuesday morning about the love the boy had for the father he hardly knew.

"My baby loved that man and I want the world to know that my baby loved his father. And I can't give no reason why this man would do this," Taylor said.

For the second straight week, that father, Leslie Schuler, was arraigned at Central District Court in Worcester.

This time, to answer to charges he murdered his seven year old son.

He pleaded not guilty.

One of the boy's family members screamed at Schuler in the courtroom - another had to be restrained in the hallway outside.

Prosecutors say it was Father's Day at Schuler's Arline Street home in Worcester when Schuler beat Nathaniel so severely, it left him brain dead.

The boy was taken off life support this past Saturday.

"We

donated the organs and it was able to help another 7 year old, his same age, with the heart. So I know my baby's love is here," Taylor said.

Tiffany Hyman, Schuler's girlfriend, was charged with assault last week, not for beating the child, but for allegedly not intervening or trying to help the boy.

"This case will proceed to the grand jury. Every part of the investigation will be provided to the grand jury. And ultimately those charges will rest with the grand jury. Right now I'm comfortable with the charges that have been brought against Ms. Hyman and the bail that she's being held on," Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early said.

Nathaniel Turner lived with his grandmother in Alabama, but had been staying with Schuler for a few weeks this summer.

"We have so many family around here. He could have called and said, come get this kid," said Nathaniel Turner's cousin Lisa Carter.

Tuesday afternoon, heading out of court with family, Christine Taylor spoke one more time.

"I'd like to keep Nathaniel in front of the picture. Leslie is just a Leslie, it's a name. Nathaniel is a love, a heart, a soul."

Taylor said Schuler used to live with her and she knew him.

That's why she allowed him to bring the boy up to Worcester for the summer.

Schuler's bail had been set at $250,000.

Today his bail was revoked.