Dixon 7-year-old dies

ROCKFORD – A 7-year-old Dixon boy police say was severely brain damaged 11 months ago by his stepmother died shortly before noon Thursday at a Rockford hospital.

An autopsy will be done today on Colton E. Fassler, Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia said.

Colton, nicknamed “Superman” by family and supporters, was the son of Jennifer Fassler, who died in 2007, and Andrew Fassler.

His stepmother, Tiffany Fassler, 35, was indicted in August on an aggravated battery of a child charge.

Investigators say she kicked Colton in the chest on Dec. 30, causing him to hit his head on a bathroom vanity, according to court documents. When he was admitted to Rockford Memorial Hospital, staff said he had more than 50 bruises on his feet, legs, buttocks, back, arms, chest, neck, and head, all in various stages of healing, court documents say.

The injuries were not consistent with information provided by Tiffany Fassler, who was watching the boy that night, the documents say.

Lee County Assistant State’s Attorney Peter Buh, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment on whether charges will be upgraded now that the boy has died.

Fassler’s attorney, Paul Whitcombe of Dixon, said “Her heart breaks for [Colton] and the whole family, as does mine.”

Colton’s grandparents, Lew and Karen Digby of Polo, had been caring for Colton. They  declined to comment Thursday.

Dixon attorney Tom Murray, a family friend, said that the Digbys had “totally committed themselves to Colton’s welfare” and that Karen was with Colton “24/7” when he was in the hospital in Rockford and when he was being treated at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Colton had been back home with his grandparents since August or September.

“His injuries were very, very serious, and obviously he was never going to be the same,” Murray said. “They did everything they could to make his last days as comfortable as they did. Their devotion to him was inspiring.”

In an unrelated case, Andrew Fassler, 40, is charged with aggravated domestic battery, accused of throwing his then 9-year-old son down the stairs and breaking his arm in October 2009. He has not been charged in connection with Colton’s injuries.

A call to his attorney, Louis Pignatelli of Rock Falls, was not returned Thursday.