in Atkins' care while their mother was at work. The neighbor observed Raquan sitting on the floor watching television and acting normally. Atkins provided the visitor with marijuana and beer, and the visitor left about 20 minutes later. Shortly thereafter, Atkins called 911 from the mobile home. He reported to the operator that Raquan had fallen off a chair in the back room and was unconscious.
The ambulance had difficulty locating the mobile home and passed by it several times while Atkins stood on the porch without signaling. When the ambulance finally pulled into the driveway, Atkins turned his back and entered the home closing the door behind him, and then failed to respond to the paramedics at the door. The paramedics let themselves into the home where theyfound the child unresponsive with bruises to the forehead, ears, hands, and shoulder.
Atkins gave varying explanations for Raquan's injuries: he told one paramedic that Raquan had fallen in the back room; he told the others that the child had fallen in the kitchen; and he explained to a next-door neighbor that the child had fallen on toys in the playroom and then began convulsing.
Raquan was transported to a pediatric critical care facility. The treating physician determined that the child's condition was indicative of a rotational or shaking-type injury, accompanied by repeated impacts. He testified that an accidental fall would not cause the multiple injuries sustained by the child.
Raquan died the next day. An autopsy revealed multiple brain hemorrhages and bruises to the head, as well as numerous external