A mom could face charges following her 2-year-old son’s death after he was fatally shot with her gun by his 4-year-old cousin, Florida officials said.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office recommended the state attorney’s office charge Shakelia Tennyson, 37, of Louisville, Georgia, with culpable negligence. Tennyson’s family had just arrived to a vacation home in Kissimmee to celebrate her son Brayden’s upcoming birthday.
Brayden and his 4-year-old cousin were alone in a vehicle parked in front of the vacation home July 12. The cousin found Tennyson’s gun under a seat. Brayden was shot and died at a nearby hospital.
Tennyson has not been arrested, and has returned to her Georgia home, but officials said she has been made away of the possible charges. Attempts to reach Tennyson have been made by the USA TODAY NETWORK.
It’s not clear when the state attorney’s office will make a decision on the charges.
GoFundMe raising money for funeral of boy, 2, fatally shot
A GoFundMe account was started to help pay to bring Brayden’s body back to Georgia and pay for funeral costs.
“What was meant to be a joyful vacation to Orlando to celebrate sweet Brayden’s 3rd birthday has turned into an unimaginable tragedy,” according to the GoFundMe. “As Brayden’s mother navigates the most devastating loss a parent could ever endure, she is also faced with the unexpected expense of bringing her baby home so he can be laid to rest surrounded by the family and friends who love him.”
Where was boy, 2, fatally shot in Florida?
The shooting occurred at a home in a residential neighborhood outside Kissimmee.
Kissimmee is located just a few miles from Walt Disney World.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Charges pending for mom whose son, 2, was fatally shot in Florida
Reporting by Michelle Spitzer, USA TODAY NETWORK / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Michelle Spitzer, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
