Kansas Father Pleads Guilty to Charges Following Toddler's Fatal Shooting of Baby Sister

Michael Tejeda, a 26-year-old father from Wichita, Kansas, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and two counts of aggravated child endangerment. This plea is in connection with the February 28, 2025, shooting incident in which his 3-year-old daughter accidentally shot her 1-year-old sister. According to court records and a police affidavit, Tejeda admitted to leaving a handgun within reach of his children while he fell asleep. He later placed the firearm on a mantel before going to change clothes. After hearing a loud bang, he found his younger daughter with a gunshot wound to the head on the couch. Tejeda acknowledged that his older daughter had previously shown curiosity about the firearm. As part of a plea agreement, a more serious charge of first-degree murder was dropped. Tejeda is scheduled for sentencing on July 9, 2026.