A Wichita father has admitted responsibility in a devastating shooting that left his 1-year-old daughter dead after her older sister got hold of an unsecured handgun inside the family’s home.
According to Fox News, Michael Tejeda, 26, pleaded guilty last week to second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and two counts of aggravated child endangerment tied to the February 2025 tragedy, Sedgwick County court records state.
The plea agreement removed a more serious first-degree murder charge that prosecutors had originally filed.
Authorities said the shooting happened Feb. 28 while Tejeda was home alone caring for the children.
According to a police affidavit obtained by Wichita television station KAKE, Tejeda called 911 after realizing his 3-year-old daughter had shot her younger sister.
Investigators said Tejeda later acknowledged he had been carrying a handgun in a prop-style holster that did not properly secure the firearm.
Police said he eventually removed the weapon and placed it on the mantel above the fireplace in the living room before briefly stepping away to change clothes in a bedroom.
During questioning, Tejeda reportedly admitted he regretted where he left the firearm.
“I knew better, should’ve put it somewhere else,” he told investigators, according to court documents.
Moments later, he heard a gunshot echo through the house.
The affidavit states Tejeda rushed back into the living room and found his 3-year-old daughter crying while the 1-year-old lay wounded on the couch.
“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,” investigators wrote.
“Tejeda said he found his firearm lying on the couch next to [the child].”
Authorities said Tejeda also admitted his older daughter had shown curiosity about the handgun before the deadly shooting.
The surviving child was later interviewed at a child advocacy center as part of the investigation, though police said she did not discuss the incident during the forensic interview.
Court records indicate both prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to recommend a midrange sentence under Kansas guidelines, with the penalties running consecutively.
Tejeda remains jailed ahead of sentencing, which is scheduled for July 9.
