Aldan man charged with boy’s death

A Delaware County man has been charged with murder in the death of a four-year-old boy.

Zander Grogan died Tuesday of multiple blunt force trauma and a dislocated vertebrae in his neck. His injuries were consistent with being "violently shaken," G. Michael Green, Delaware County District Attorney, said today.

Stephen Fischere, 26, of Aldan, the boyfriend of the boy's mother, faces charges that include murder and endangering the welfare of a child. He also was charged separately with drug possession and intent to deliver after police found heroin and prescription drugs at the couple's home.

Fischere picked up Zander and his 3-month-old son, Xavier, from a baby-sitter around 5 p.m. Tuesday after work, according to court documents. He told police that he believed Zander tripped on a child car seat outside their apartment, fell down the stairs and stopped breathing. Fischere said he began giving Zander mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and took him to a neighbor, who called police.

The child was taken to Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, where he was pronounced dead that evening.

Contact staff writer Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149 or mschaefer@phillynews.com.