Mom faces manslaughter charge after 2-year-old accidentally shot in Florida

After a 2-year-old child visiting Central Florida was accidentally shot and killed last year, his mother now faces a charge of manslaughter, according to court records obtained by News 6.

The incident was first reported back in July, when the child — identified as Brayden Tennyson — was visiting Osceola County with his family from Georgia.

Deputies said a 4-year-old family member found an unsecured gun inside a vehicle, though, and fired the weapon, striking Brayden, who was also in the vehicle and unsupervised.

Per detectives, the firearm belonged to the boy’s mother, 37-year-old Shakelia Tennyson of Louisville, Georgia.

Initially, Tennyson faced a felony charge of culpable negligence.

However, an indictment filed on Oct. 27 reveals that she now faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter.

News 6 reached out to the State Attorney’s Office for a statement, which reads as follows:

“At the center of this case is a mother who has lost her son. The pain and grief she is experiencing is unfathomable and nothing about this prosecution diminishes it. Bringing this charge was not a decision we made lightly. Yet, it reflects our duty to the child whose life was lost and to every child who depends on the adults around them to keep them safe.

The death of a two-year-old is a heartbreaking tragedy, and my thoughts are with this family as they endure an unimaginable loss. Another young child must also now carry the trauma of what happened, a painful reminder of how far the harm of a single moment can reach.

No family should ever have to face a loss like this, and no child should ever be able to reach a loaded firearm. Securing weapons, especially around vulnerable children is one of the most important things any of us can do to protect the children in our care.

Ms. Tennyson, like every person accused of a crime, is presumed innocent. Because this is an ongoing matter, we will not comment further on the specific facts or evidence of this incident.”

State Attorney’s Office