A Miami-Dade mother, Krystal Banegas, has been charged with the death of her four-year-old daughter, who was fatally shot by a sibling, police said. The girl's mother is facing manslaughter and three counts of child neglect, according to Local 10. Banegas surrendered to the authorities overnight. Additionally, her boyfriend, Quavanta Ennels, is facing the same charges and had previously been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm related to the case.
The tragic incident occurred on November 5 at Ennels' home in the 8100 block of Northwest 21st Avenue. Police reports state that the young girl, Josalyn Taylor-Rolle, was accidentally shot in the head by her 3-year-old brother. Left unattended, the 9-mm gun Ennels admitted to purchasing illegally, despite his status as a convicted felon, came into the hands of the toddler, as detailed in Ennels’ arrest warrant which also depicted their home as unkempt with vermin seen roaming around.
Ennels, 25, has been ordered to stay away from his girlfriend's children, which, apart from the victim, included three other minors aged 2, 3, and 6, who were present in the house at the time of the shooting, according to CBS News Miami. The girl was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center, where she remained for approximately a week before succumbing to her injuries. Authorities indicate the firearm was removed from a bag belonging to Ennels and was found by the sibling in the bedroom, unsupervised by any adult.
Investigators noted the couple's residence was in disarray, with pests like cockroaches and at least one rat free to roam, as reported by Local 10. Visible drug paraphernalia was strewn within the living spaces. The exact circumstances leading to the fatal shooting are still under investigation.
