State v. Chapman

TYSON, Judge.

On 19 September 2001, a jury convicted Donnie E. Chapman (“defendant”) of felony child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. He was sentenced to a term of 27 months to 42 months. Defendant appeals. We find no prejudicial error.

I. Background

On Saturday, 11 December 1999, defendant was living with Victoria Dekan (“Ms. Dekan”), her son, Tyrone Mason (“Tyrone”), who was almost two years old, and their daughter, Alexis, who was approximately one year old, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. At 3:00 a.m., Ms. Dekan left home to go to work. The children remained in the care of…