Boy dies in longest visit with father

The Tampa man faces murder and child abuse charges in the death of the 22-month-old.

By Casey Cora, Times Staff Writer
Published February 16, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Handout] Chavon Galloway was pronounced dead Wednesday at St. Joseph's Hospital. Chauncey Robinson, 26, was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated child abuse in connection with his son's death.

TAMPA - Shantil Galloway opted on Feb. 8 to let her young son stay with his father several days longer than their every-other-weekend agreement.

It was the longest stretch the father and Galloway's "handsome little boy" ever spent together.

Five days later, 22-month-old Chavon was pronounced dead at St. Joseph's Hospital. Investigators told Galloway, 23, that an autopsy revealed crushed chest bones, internal bleeding and brain swelling. His body was blue.

The boy's father, Chauncey Robinson, 26, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated child abuse in connection with his son's death.

"I didn't think he would do something like this," Galloway said.

Earlier this week, Galloway said she tried several times to get her son back. She wanted to take him to his doctor's appointment for an asthma checkup.

She called until Robinson's phone no longer rang. She parked outside Robinson's home and blasted her minivan's horn. She brought relatives to knock on Robinson's door.

Finally reached on Wednesday, Robinson told Galloway he would "bring him back when he feels like it," either before or after his scheduled urine screening for his probation officer on Wednesday, Galloway said.

Later that night, Galloway got a call from Robinson's girlfriend. She said Chavon was having an asthma attack.

At the hospital, Galloway said she saw Robinson. He was crying.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she said he told her. "He was in my care."

Doctors told Galloway there was nothing they could do.

Chavon leaves behind two sisters and one brother.

Despite his asthma, he loved running and playing football. At 22 months, he had already learned to throw a ball.

"I'm going to try and hang in there, to be strong," Galloway said. "He will always be missed. He will always be in our hearts."

Casey Cora can be reached at 813 226-3386 or at ccora@sptimes.com

[Last modified February 16, 2008, 01:06:37]