Kansas Father Pleads Guilty After Toddler Shot Dead by 3-Year-Old Sibling

Michael Tejeda, 26, admitted to second-degree murder after his 3-year-old picked up a loaded handgun he left on a fireplace mantel, fatally shooting her 1-year-old sister.

Wichita Father Admits Guilt in Toddler's Fatal Shooting

A Kansas man faces significant prison time after pleading guilty to the death of his 1-year-old daughter, who was shot in the head by his 3-year-old daughter following his decision to leave a loaded handgun on a fireplace mantel within the children's reach.

Michael Tejeda, 26, of Wichita, entered guilty pleas last week to one count of second-degree murder, one count of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and two counts of aggravated child endangerment, according to Sedgwick County court records reviewed by Law & Crime. Under the plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed the original charge of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony.

The shooting occurred on Feb. 28, 2025, at the family's home on South Santa Fe Street in Wichita.

Tejeda called 911 that night to report the incident, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KAKE, the Wichita-based ABC affiliate. On the call, he can be heard asking his 3-year-old why she had done it.

Tejeda told police he had fallen asleep while watching the children as their mother was out. He said he realized his handgun was still in a prop holster at the front of his waistband — a holster he described as having no retention, meaning the firearm could slip free if turned upside down. He then removed the weapon and placed it on the living room fireplace mantel, which he estimated stood roughly four feet high.

"I knew better, should've put it somewhere else," Tejeda told investigators, according to the affidavit.

He said the shooting took place while he had stepped into his bedroom to change clothes. He heard a loud bang, then saw his 3-year-old running toward her room in tears. When he asked what the sound was, the girl said she was sorry and that it had been his gun.

Tejeda entered the living room and found the 1-year-old on the couch with a gunshot wound to her head, the firearm lying beside her. He had previously told investigators the older child had shown curiosity about the gun and had commented on it before.

Following the shooting, the 3-year-old was taken to a child advocacy center for a forensic interview. According to the affidavit, she was "mostly interested in playing" and mentioned she had received a Band-Aid for an earlier injury, but said nothing about the incident itself.

Under the terms of the plea deal, both the prosecution and defense have agreed to ask the sentencing judge to impose a midrange penalty under Kansas state guidelines, with the sentences to run consecutively, according to Wichita NBC and Telemundo affiliate KSNW. Tejeda is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9.

Source: Law & Crime