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A tragic incident unfolded in Wichita, Kansas, when a father, Michael Tejeda, confessed to leaving a handgun accessible to his young daughters, leading to the heartbreaking death of his 1-year-old daughter, who was fatally shot by her 3-year-old sister. This admission came to light through court records and a police affidavit.
Last week, Tejeda, aged 26, entered a guilty plea to several charges, including second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon as a convicted felon, and two counts of aggravated child endangerment. These charges are tied to the devastating shooting that occurred in February 2025, as recorded by the Sedgwick County court.
In a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a more severe accusation of first-degree murder which was linked to the commission of a felony, thus lightening the legal consequences Tejeda faces.
The harrowing event took place on February 28 at the family’s residence in Wichita. According to an arrest affidavit, which was acquired by the local ABC affiliate KAKE, Tejeda made an emergency call to 911 after the shooting, reporting that his older daughter had inadvertently shot her younger sister.
In related news, DC police are conducting an investigation into a 5-year-old who was shot by a younger sibling in an apartment, describing it as an ‘unfortunate situation’.
Kansas father Michael Tejeda (pictured) pleaded guilty in the fatal shooting of his 1-year-old daughter. (Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities said Tejeda later admitted he had fallen asleep while watching the children while their mother was away from the home. Investigators said he told police he had been carrying a handgun in a prop holster that did not properly secure the firearm.
Tejeda told investigators he eventually removed the handgun and placed it on the mantel above the living room fireplace before going into a bedroom to change clothes, according to the affidavit.
“I knew better, should’ve put it somewhere else,” Tejeda told investigators, according to court documents.
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A view of South Santa Fe Street in Wichita, Kansas, where authorities said the shooting happened in February 2025. (Google Maps)
Moments later, Tejeda told police he heard a loud bang and saw his 3-year-old daughter crying before discovering the 1-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound to the head on a couch in the living room.
“He went into the living room and found [the 1-year-old] with a gunshot wound to her head while she was lying on the couch,” the affidavit states. “Tejeda said he found his firearm lying on the couch next to [the child].”
Investigators said Tejeda acknowledged his older daughter had previously shown curiosity about the firearm before the shooting.
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Authorities said the shooting happened at a family home in Wichita, Kansas, on Feb. 28, 2025. (Getty Images)
The surviving child was later taken to a child advocacy center for a forensic interview, according to the affidavit. Authorities said the girl did not discuss the shooting during the interview.
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to recommend a midrange sentence under Kansas guidelines, with the sentences running consecutively, according to local NBC affiliate KSNW.
Tejeda is scheduled to be sentenced July 9.
Representatives for both the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Wichita Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.