Kansas Family’s HEARTBREAK: 3-Year-Old Finds Gun—TRAGEDY Strikes Baby Sister!
A father’s decision to leave his handgun on a fireplace led to an unthinkable tragedy in Kansas, where a toddler got hold of the weapon. 🌐 #News #WichitaKS #Kansas #Crime
WICHITA, KS — A father faces murder charges after his three-year-old daughter accessed his unsecured firearm and fatally shot her baby sister, in a devastating incident that has rocked a quiet Kansas neighborhood.
Father’s Fatal Decision
Michael Tejeda, 25, dozed off in his living room on February 28, with his handgun still tucked into a prop holster. Upon waking around 6 p.m., he made what prosecutors say was a fatal error — placing the weapon on a four-foot-high fireplace, well within reach of his curious toddler.
Warning Signs Overlooked
Prior to the incident, the three-year-old had shown interest in her father’s firearm, making comments about it multiple times. Despite this concerning behavior, the gun remained accessible in the family home.
Tragedy Unfolds
The devastating chain of events began while Tejeda changed clothes in his bedroom. A loud bang echoed through the house, followed by his older daughter running away in tears. The father found his one-year-old on the couch with a fatal head wound, the weapon lying beside her.
Mother’s Devastating Return
At the time of the shooting, the children’s 24-year-old mother was getting tattoos at a friend’s apartment. She rushed home after receiving Tejeda’s frantic call, arriving to find her surviving daughter repeatedly apologizing for what had happened.
Legal Consequences Mount
Authorities have charged Tejeda with first-degree murder, illegal weapon possession as a felon, and two counts of aggravated child endangerment. As with all criminal cases, Tejeda remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Following the incident, investigators took the three-year-old to a child advocacy center. During her interview, she appeared more interested in playing than discussing the events, mentioning only an unrelated injury that required a bandage earlier that day.
Honoring the Precious Lives Impacted
In the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, we pause to honor the innocent life lost and the family forever changed by this devastating event. The pain of losing a child is unimaginable, and our hearts ache for a mother and sister left to carry this burden.
Many will find solace in the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:14, where He says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” May this sweet child rest in the arms of our Savior, and may those grieving find peace in His eternal love.
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RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Kansas | Kids and Family
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