TEHACHAPI, Calif. — On Tuesday, a Tehachapi man was found guilty of second degree murder in the death of a 4-month-old baby.
According to officials, Daniel McKie's fate was in the hands of a Kern County jury who also found him guilty of "assault causing the death" of Anakin William McKie.
In February of 2017, Anakin died from blunt injuries to the head. The following month, officials arrested McKie on first degree murder and willful cruelty to a child. In an interview with 23ABC News, McKie said the baby's death was an accident and that he was holding Anakin when he turned and tripped on Anakin's oxygen equipment, falling into the corner of the room and onto a cedar chest.
Michelle Smith, the grandmother of Anakin, said McKie had posted a message on Facebook asking people how to kill a baby while in the hospital shortly after the baby was born three and a half months premature.
The Kern County District Attorney said McKie faces upwards of 25 years to life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 1.
