A Kentucky couple has been convicted in connection with the death of their 2-year-old son after their 3-year-old child found an unsecured firearm in a bedroom dresser and fatally shot his younger brother.
Tashaun Adams, 23, and Selena Farrell, 25, were found guilty Friday of reckless homicide in the death of Khalil Adams following a weeklong trial in Kenton County. The jury also convicted both parents on charges of child abandonment.
The tragic incident occurred in January 2024 at the family’s Covington apartment. According to authorities, Adams and Farrell were asleep during the afternoon while their two young children played unsupervised in their bedroom. The 3-year-old boy was aware that his father kept a firearm in the dresser drawer of the room where he and his brother slept.
The older child told investigators after the incident that he knew about the weapon’s location, stating his father’s gun was in the drawer. The toddler retrieved the loaded firearm and began handling it, accidentally discharging the weapon and striking his younger brother.
Emergency responders transported Khalil to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead from his injuries.
During the trial, Adams testified that he was sleeping when he heard the gunshot. He immediately ran to the children’s bedroom where he discovered Khalil on the floor. He noted that his son’s eyes were closed and it appeared he was not breathing. Adams expressed remorse during his testimony, stating he blames himself daily for the tragedy.
While Adams remained at the scene following the shooting, Farrell left the apartment. Law enforcement arrested her several days later at a hotel. During her arrest, she told officers she knew Khalil was going to die and wanted to attend his funeral.
Kenton County Commonwealth Prosecutor Rob Sanders emphasized during the proceedings that the shooting was preventable rather than an unavoidable accident. He argued that the death resulted from two adults leaving a loaded handgun with a round in the chamber within reach of an unsupervised 3-year-old child.
The prosecution revealed this was not the first time authorities had concerns about unsecured firearms in the household. Approximately two years before the fatal shooting, police discovered an unsecured gun in a bedroom, which prosecutors identified as the same weapon used in Khalil’s death. Several months after that initial discovery, representatives from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services again found a firearm within the children’s reach.
Following the earlier incidents, Adams had signed a prevention plan agreeing to maintain a safe and stable environment with adequate supervision for the children.
During closing arguments, Sanders emphasized that the case centered on parental choices and responsibilities. He acknowledged that while the parents made numerous mistakes, these were not accidents but rather preventable circumstances that led to the child’s death.
The jury recommended a five-year sentence for Adams and a seven-year sentence for Farrell. The court has not yet scheduled a formal sentencing date for the convicted parents.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about firearm storage safety in homes with children and the critical importance of securing weapons to prevent tragic accidents. Child safety advocates continue to emphasize the need for proper gun storage and supervision when firearms are present in households with young children.
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