Kansas dad admits leaving gun in reach before toddler shot baby sister
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A Kansas father admitted to leaving a gun within reach of his young daughters before fatally shooting his 1-year-old sister at the family’s Wichita home, according to court records and police testimony.
Michael Tejeda, 26, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and two counts of aggravated child endangerment in connection with the February 2025 shooting, according to Sedgwick County court records.
As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped a more serious charge of first-degree murder committed during the commission of a felony.
The attack occurred Feb. 28 at the family’s home in Wichita. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Wichita-based ABC affiliate KAKE, Tejeda called 911 after the shooting and told officers that her older daughter had shot her younger daughter.
DC POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE 5-YEAR-OLD CHILD WHO WAS SHOT BY HIS LITTLE BROTHER IN THE APARTMENT: ‘UNFORTUNATE SITUATION’
Kansas father Michael Tejeda (pictured) has pleaded guilty to the shooting death of his 1-year-old daughter. (Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities said Tejeda later admitted that he fell asleep watching the children while their mother was away from home. Investigators said he told police he was carrying a handgun in a back holster that did not properly secure the firearm.
Tejeda told investigators he eventually pulled out the gun and placed it on the mantel above the living room fireplace before going to the bedroom to change clothes, according to the affidavit.
“I knew better, I should have put it somewhere else,” Tejeda told investigators, according to court documents.
LAWYER SAYS VIRGINIA SCHOOL MISSED WARNINGS BEFORE SHOOTING 6-YEAR-OLD TEACHER
A view from South Santa Fe Street in Wichita, Kansas, where authorities say the attack occurred in February 2025. (Google Maps)
Moments later, Tejeda told police she heard a loud bang and saw her 3-year-old daughter crying, then discovered the 1-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head on the living room couch.
“He went into the living room and found [the 1-year-old] The affidavit states that “he suffered a gunshot wound to the head while lying on the couch.” “Tejeda said he found his firearm lying on the couch next to him. [the child]”
Investigators said Tejeda acknowledged that his older daughter had shown interest in firearms before the shooting.
OHIO DAY CARE WORKER CONVICTED FOR HORRIBLE PHYSICAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN, GIVEN TO PRISON FOR YEARS
The attack occurred on February 28, 2025, at a family home in Wichita, Kansas, authorities said. (Getty Images)
The surviving child was later taken to a child rights center for a forensic interview, according to the affidavit. Authorities said the girl did not discuss the shooting during the interview.
According to local NBC affiliate KSNW, both prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to recommend a mid-range sentence under Kansas guidelines; The sentences will be imposed consecutively.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Tejeda is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9.
Representatives for both the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Wichita Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
