10-Year-Old Boy Charged with Murder

A 10-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder after police say he shot and killed his 7-month-old niece with a gun that had allegedly been hidden under a mattress inside a St. Louis home.

The horrifying case has left a family shattered and authorities asking how a child so young allegedly got his hands on a loaded firearm.

St. Louis Metropolitan Police were called to the home Friday after reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found the infant suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

The baby girl was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors tried desperately to save her life. Despite those efforts, she died from her injuries, police said.

According to court documents, investigators determined the 10-year-old boy allegedly picked up the firearm and shot the infant. Another child, just 7 years old, was also inside the home when the shooting happened.

The boy was taken into custody after the shooting and later placed in the custody of the Missouri Children’s Division. Officials said he was also taken for a psychiatric evaluation.

The infant’s father, 19-year-old Ca’Marion Pawnell, is also now facing serious criminal charges in connection with the baby’s death.

After being questioned by police, Pawnell was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and multiple counts of child endangerment, according to court documents.

Prosecutors allege Pawnell endangered the children by allowing a firearm to be within their reach inside the home. Authorities say that access ultimately led to the infant’s death.

Court documents state that Pawnell allegedly told police the gun belonged to him and that he kept it stored under a mattress.

Even more disturbing, investigators said the 10-year-old told them he knew where the gun was kept and that it had been accessible to him for a long period of time. He allegedly said he had taken the firearm out and touched it before.

Because Missouri law does not allow children under 12 to be tried as adults, the 10-year-old will be handled through the Juvenile Division of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court, according to a court communications officer.

The case is now moving through juvenile court as prosecutors also pursue charges against the baby’s father.

No attorney information was listed for Pawnell. It was not immediately clear whether the 10-year-old had an attorney.

The shocking tragedy has raised painful questions about gun storage, child safety and how a weapon allegedly left within reach of children could end in the death of a 7-month-old baby.