Boy, 10, accused of murder after infant girl fatally shot in head in St. Louis

Victim's father has also been accused of second-degree murder in child's death

Published Jul 01, 2026  •  Last updated 23 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Police in St. Louis have charged Ca’Marion Pawnell, 19, with second-degree murder and other offences after a 10-year-old boy shot and killed an infant girl inside a home on June 26, 2026. Photo by Handout /St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

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It was a senseless loss of life.

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A 10-year-old boy is facing a first-degree murder charge after an infant girl was shot to death in St. Louis, Mo., last week, while the victim’s father has been accused of second-degree murder.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said the shooting happened inside a home shortly after 4 p.m. last Friday.

According to cops, responding officers took a child shot in the head from the scene and performed life-saving measures in the back seat of the police vehicle while she was rushed to an area hospital, but she was later pronounced dead, reports CBS affiliate KMOV.

On Saturday, police identified the victim as seven-month-old Kiyomi Parker, the boy’s niece.

That same day, police said an investigation revealed that the unnamed boy allegedly fired the gun.

Youngest to face murder charge

The outlet reported the child appears to be the youngest ever to face a murder charge in Missouri history.

While Missouri had no minimum age to charge a child with murder, a 2024 state law now requires that anyone accused as an adult of serious felonies must be at least 12 years old.

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On Sunday, it was revealed that the girl’s father was also charged in the shocking case.

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KMOV reported that 19-year-old Ca’Marion Pawnell is facing one count of second-degree murder, felony murder, one count of endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child creating substantial risk.

According to court documents, the father allegedly stored a gun underneath a mattress in a bedroom of the house and the accused boy knew where the firearm was kept and could easily access it.

The boy also allegedly told investigators that he had taken the gun out from the bed and had touched it before.

Can only be tried in juvenile court

On Monday, a spokesperson for Missouri’s 22nd Judicial Circuit confirmed the accused boy can only be tried on the murder charge in juvenile court.

“As he is under 12 years old, the juvenile will not be subject to certification proceedings and therefore cannot be certified to be tried as an adult,” Joel Currier said in a statement.

The 10-year-old boy was placed in the protective custody of the Missouri Children’s Division and is currently at a hospital where he is being psychiatrically evaluated, Currier added.

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