Edited Press Release
Earlier this afternoon, a jury found Michael P Atkinson, 25, guilty of the 2017 murder of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son. Atkinson was also found guilty of aggravated battery resulting in death, and neglect of a dependent resulting in death. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Michael P Atkinson, 25, guilty of the 2017 murder of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old son.
In the late hours of Nov.11 2017, Danville Metropolitan Police Department officers were dispatched to a home to assist the Danville Fire Department after a call came into the Hendricks County Communications Center regarding an unconscious 4-year-old boy.
The 4-year-old had to be revived with CPR, and his injuries were so severe that he was placed on a ventilator and transferred to Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, for continued care. He died two days later.
The Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the injuries were caused by blunt force trauma, and officially ruled his death a homicide in January of 2018.
After a thorough investigation by DMPD Assistant Chief Jim Hilton, and Detective Corporal Brent Allison, Atkinson was arrested on Jan. 16, 2018, and has been incarcerated in the Hendricks County Jail since that date.
Public Information Officer Nate Lien commented, “The Danville Metropolitan Police Department remains deeply saddened by the death of this defenseless four-year-old boy. Our officers, administration, and investigators have worked tirelessly over the span of nearly two years to bring the individual responsible for this heinous crime to justice. There is no good day when you are dealing with the death of a four-year-old, however holding Mr. Atkinson responsible for what he did to this child is about as close as you can get.”
