Spartanburg, South Carolina — A 6-year-old boy may have put himself between his mother and his younger sister during a horrific stabbing attack, suffering the worst of the injuries as he allegedly tried to protect the 3-year-old, according to his grandmother.
Jan Marie Mull, 59, said her grandson Dawson suffered more serious injuries than his little sister Hazel after their mother, 35-year-old Taylor Gosnell, allegedly attacked both children with a knife in Spartanburg on Sept. 26.
Authorities said the two children suffered severe injuries during the incident, with officials later describing some of their wounds as “lacerations so deep they cut to the bone.” Both children were reported to be in stable condition.
Grandmother Believes Dawson Shielded His Sister
Mull said she believes Dawson’s injuries may have been worse because he stepped in when his younger sister was being attacked.
“The only thing I can visualize why Dawson had more injuries than Hazel was Dawson was trying to protect Hazel,” the grandmother said.
According to authorities, the children were allegedly stabbed nearly 50 times combined during the attack. Mull said Dawson remained seriously injured and that doctors were considering whether part of his body could need to be amputated.
“The medicine keeps him knocked out. They are looking at amputation,” Mull said.
The severity of his injuries has left the family facing an uncertain recovery while both children remain under medical care.
A Phone Call About Hunger Led to the Discovery
The children were discovered alone and covered in blood after Dawson made a phone call to his grandmother.
According to local reports, the boy contacted Mull because he was hungry, prompting concern and eventually leading authorities to conduct a welfare check at the home. Police arrived and found the children in need of immediate medical attention.
Investigators said Gosnell returned home shortly after officers arrived. Authorities said she appeared distressed and was subsequently taken to an ambulance for a mental health evaluation.
According to the solicitor’s office, Gosnell allegedly attempted to escape while being taken for the evaluation and ultimately had to be handcuffed to a stretcher.
Grandmother Says the Attack Came as a Shock
Mull said she was devastated when she learned what had happened to her grandchildren.
“I couldn’t breathe. Honest to God, I could not breathe. I was freaking floored,” Mull said. The grandmother also said she had never seen signs that Gosnell had physically abused the children before the alleged attack.
“I’d never known [Taylor] to beat or abuse these kids,” Mull said, adding that she had seen “[n]o bruises, nothing. I don’t know what happened.”
Her comments reflect the shock felt by the family as investigators continue working to understand what led to the violent incident.
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Family Says Dawson Has Always Been Protective
Despite the horrifying circumstances, Mull said she was not surprised that Dawson may have tried to protect his younger sister. She described him as a loving child who cares deeply about other people.
“Dawson’s got that kind of love for everybody. He takes after my son in that department. I think he was just probably trying to protect her,” she said.
The children’s father, Blake, was Mull’s son and is deceased, according to the grandmother. For the family, Dawson’s actions have added another heartbreaking dimension to an already devastating situation.
Mother Remains in Custody
Gosnell is currently being held without bond in connection with the alleged attack. She is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 12, as the legal case moves forward. Meanwhile, Dawson and Hazel remain at the center of the family’s attention as they recover from their injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation, and the allegations against Gosnell have not been proven in court.
What are your thoughts on Dawson’s reported actions to protect his little sister? Share your reaction in the comments and keep the children and their family in your thoughts as they continue through their recovery.
