Boy, 6, 'Trying to Protect' Sister From Mother Accused of Stabbing Them 50 Times, Faces Possible Amputation

A sheriff's investigation estimates about 50 stab wounds across the two children, while prosecutors warned some of the boy's injuries reached the bone

Six-Year-Old South Carolina Boy Faces Possible Amputation After Alleged Attack — A six-year-old boy may face amputation of fingers and possibly an arm after an alleged attack that left him with severe injuries WSPA 7News/YouTube

A six-year-old boy faces possible amputation after an alleged attack on him and his three-year-old sister in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Prosecutors said his injuries could require the removal of fingers and possibly an arm, while the children's grandmother believes he suffered more injuries because he tried to protect his sister.

Their mother, Taylor Gosnell, 35, faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Investigators said the children suffered about 50 stab wounds between them during an overnight attack before they were found on 26 September. Gosnell has not been convicted.

Grandmother Believes Boy Tried to Protect His Sister

The children's grandmother, Jan Marie Mull, told The U.S. Sun that she believed the six-year-old had tried to protect his younger sister because he suffered more injuries.

'The only thing I can visualize why Dawson had more injuries than Hazel was Dawson was trying to protect Hazel,' Mull said.

Her statement described what she believed had happened based on the difference in the children's injuries. The reports reviewed do not establish that she witnessed the attack or that investigators confirmed the boy had shielded his sister.

Prosecutors Warned of Possible Amputation

During bond proceedings, the 7th Circuit Solicitor's Office said some of the children's wounds reached the bone. Prosecutors told the court that the six-year-old faced possible amputation of fingers and possibly an arm.

Mull subsequently told The U.S. Sun that doctors were considering amputation. The available reports do not confirm that the procedure has taken place.

The children were initially taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center before being transferred to Prisma Health Children's Hospital in Greenville. Early reports described them as stable and expected to recover.

A 30 September sheriff's-office update, reported by IBTimes UK, said both children had undergone nerve grafts and could leave hospital within days. That update did not establish that either child had been discharged or resolve the reported possibility of amputation.

Boy Called Grandmother Before Children Were Found

The six-year-old called his grandmother and said his mother was not home and that he and his sister were hungry.

Mull and a friend of Gosnell went to the property and called 911 after finding the children injured. Spartanburg County deputies responded to the home near Cowpens shortly after 2.30pm on 26 September.

Investigators said the alleged attack took place during the overnight hours before the children were found. They estimated that the siblings had suffered about 50 stab wounds between them.

According to the sheriff's office, Gosnell allegedly attacked the children with a knife and a blunt object.

Mother Faces Two Attempted-Murder Charges

Gosnell returned to the property while deputies were at the scene, according to authorities. She was taken for a mental-health evaluation.

The reported evaluation does not establish a diagnosis or explain the alleged attack.

Gosnell was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center shortly before midnight on 26 September. A judge denied bond the following day, according to contemporaneous reporting.

She faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.