A 37-year-old mother from Georgia has been indicted on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child following a tragic incident in Kissimmee. The charges stem from the July death of her two-year-old son, who was shot by his four-year-old cousin after the younger child discovered an unsecured firearm inside a vehicle.
The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on July 12 at a vacation rental located on Scrapbook Street. According to investigators, the family had traveled from Louisville, Georgia, to the Orlando area for a vacation. They had just arrived at the property when the shooting took place.
Preliminary findings indicate that the victim, identified as Brayden Tennyson, was left alone inside the family’s vehicle. His four-year-old cousin subsequently entered the car and found a firearm that was not holstered or secured. The child pulled the trigger, striking Brayden. Authorities confirmed that the firearm belonged to Brayden’s mother, Shakelia Jenkins Tennyson.
Brayden was transported to Orlando Health Children’s Arnold Palmer Hospital, where he later died. The sheriff’s office noted that the shooting occurred just one day before the boy was scheduled to turn three years old.
State Attorney Monique Worrell stated that the decision to pursue charges was made carefully, acknowledging the profound grief experienced by the mother. Worrell emphasized that the prosecution reflects the state’s duty to protect children and hold adults accountable for their safety, even while recognizing the personal loss involved in the case.
In a statement, Worrell noted that the 4-year-old child who fired the weapon is also carrying the trauma of the event. She highlighted the importance of firearm safety, stating that no child should be able to reach a loaded gun. Tennyson is presumed innocent until proven otherwise, and the case remains ongoing.
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon previously urged gun owners to secure their weapons and make gun locks accessible. He described the scene, noting that the firearm was lying out by itself, making it easy for the child to grab. Blackmon warned that the consequences of leaving firearms accessible are irreversible, comparing the situation to a video game where one cannot simply hit reset.
The sheriff’s office had recommended felony charges following its investigation, which led to the aggravated manslaughter indictment. Blackmon also renewed his offer of free gun locks to residents, aiming to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The family’s original vacation plans were intended to celebrate Brayden’s upcoming third birthday. A GoFundMe page established to support the family described the loss as an unimaginable tragedy. The fundraiser stated that what was meant to be a joyful celebration with candles and laughter had instead turned into a mourning period for the young child.
The criminal case is currently proceeding through the legal system, with prosecutors continuing to gather evidence as they move forward with the indictment.
