10-year-old charged with murder in St. Louis infant death

A 10-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a seven-month-old infant in St. Louis, Missouri, in a case that legal experts believe is the youngest murder prosecution in the state's history. The infant's father has also been charged with second-degree murder.

The shooting occurred on the afternoon of Friday, June 26, at a residence in the 8400 block of North Broadway. Police responded shortly after 4 p.m. and found the infant, Kiyomi Parker, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Officers performed lifesaving measures and rushed her to a hospital in a patrol vehicle, but she was later pronounced dead.

An investigation led authorities to charge the 10-year-old boy, who was inside the home at the time. According to court documents, the boy allegedly retrieved a handgun that was stored underneath a mattress in a bedroom. He told investigators he knew where the firearm was kept, that it was easily accessible, and that he had taken it out on previous occasions. He allegedly confessed to accidentally shooting the baby.

The infant's father, 19-year-old CaMarion Pawnell, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder,...