AI Generated Opinion Summaries

This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.

Facts

• The Defendant, Kendrea Yellowhair, was involved in a traffic stop where she was in a minivan driven by an intoxicated driver, Thyron Begay. Inside the minivan were three other adults and two children, including K.Y., who was less than two years old and was found standing between the Defendant's legs on the floor of the minivan. The Defendant provided a false name to the police, claimed Begay was her boyfriend, and falsely identified herself as the mother of K.Y. and Begay's infant son. The Defendant was arrested on charges of concealing her identity, custodial interference, and child abuse by endangerment, though she was acquitted of custodial interference at trial (paras 3-4).

Procedural History

• [Not applicable or not found]

Parties' Submissions

• Defendant-Appellant: Argued that the State failed to prove she acted with reckless disregard necessary for a child abuse by endangerment conviction. She claimed her actions were to prevent Begay from driving off with his infant son while intoxicated, asserting she was unaware of the danger to K.Y. (para 5).
• Plaintiff-Appellee (State): Contended that the Defendant knowingly became a passenger in the minivan with the intention of leaving before police arrival due to an outstanding warrant, fully aware of the risk posed by Begay's intoxicated driving (para 5).

Legal Issues

• Whether the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to support the Defendant's conviction for child abuse by endangerment, specifically regarding whether she acted with reckless disregard for the safety of K.Y. (para 1).

Disposition

• The Court of Appeals affirmed the Defendant's conviction for child abuse by endangerment (para 12).

Reasons

• Per LINDA M. VANZI, J. (TIMOTHY L. GARCIA, J., and STEPHEN G. FRENCH, J., concurring): The court reviewed the sufficiency of the evidence under the standard that requires viewing evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, resolving conflicts in favor of the verdict. The jury instructions defined the offense charged, requiring findings that the Defendant placed K.Y. in a dangerous situation and acted with reckless disregard without justification. The court found substantial evidence supporting the State's theory that the Defendant was aware of the risk and chose to become a passenger in the minivan. The Defendant's argument that she was unaware of the danger or that her actions were justified in attempting to protect another child was not persuasive to the jury. The court also considered the Defendant's credibility, noting her dishonesty during the traffic stop, which could indicate a consciousness of guilt. The court concluded that the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's finding that the Defendant acted intentionally or with reckless disregard and without justification, affirming the conviction for child abuse by endangerment (paras 2-11).