People v. Watson

The defendant was convicted of the involuntary manslaughter of 23-month-old Shalita Stewart. He was sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment.

Shalita died of an infection which resulted from burns suffered while she was under the defendant’s care. Medical testimony showed that Shalita suffered circumferential burns on her lower extremities caused by immersion in a hot liquid. She had no burns above the waist. Very few of her burns were splash burns, i.e., those that might be caused by the splashing of a hot liquid.

Several witnesses at trial testified regarding the defendant’s out-of-court…