Opinion ID: 853160
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: There Was Evidence of Neglect

Text: April next contends that insufficient evidence supported her conviction for neglect of a dependent causing serious bodily injury. On this claim, some additional details about MicKenzie's horrific death are telling. After recognizing MicKenzie's dire medical condition, April and Lee, rather than taking their three-year-old to a doctor, attempted therapy. They bathed MicKenzie in an Epsom salt bath only to watch as her head repeatedly rolled to the side, filling her mouth with water. (R. at 349.) When this therapy failed, April watched as Lee attempted to make MicKenzie stand on her own. (R. at 350.) Each time he would release MicKenzie, she would fall to the ground, sometimes hitting her head. (R. at 350-51.) Furthermore, the State presented testimony from Dr. Scott Wagner, who said that children are resilient to head injuries and that MicKenzie's chances for survival were good had she received prompt medical treatment. (R. at 422.) Though Dr. Wagner could not pinpoint when MicKenzie became untreatable, he testified that her medical condition would have worsened with each passing day and the sooner the treatment, the better chance MicKenzie would have had to live. (R. at 419-22.) Dr. Wagner further testified that MicKenzie would not have appeared normal just after the blow, would have frequently been unconscious, and would have continued to get worse before her eventual death. (R. at 419-21.) This tale of maternal neglect is so shocking that the customary words of legal analysis seem inadequate to the task. Simply put, overwhelming evidence proves April knew MicKenzie desperately needed medical treatment and that MicKenzie would still be alive had she received it promptly. We affirm April's conviction of neglect of a dependent causing serious bodily injury.