In a heartbreaking case from Ohio, Kenneth F., a 39-year-old man, has pleaded guilty to a series of charges following the April 14, 2024, shooting of his 15-year-old daughter, Kendra F. Kenneth shot Kendra in the chest with a shotgun and then attempted to shift the blame to his developmentally disabled stepson by falsely claiming the boy had fired the fatal shot.
The tragic incident has left the local community in shock, with the family mourning the loss of a vibrant young girl.
The Shooting Incident
The shooting occurred in the family’s apartment, where Kendra was tragically killed. Kenneth initially tried to avoid responsibility for the shooting by claiming his nonverbal stepson, who has autism, accidentally shot Kendra.
In a desperate 911 call, Kenneth reportedly told dispatchers, “My stepson, he’s autistic, he had no idea what he was doing. It was an accident.” He further emphasized that the stepson had no understanding of what had happened.
However, police quickly determined that Kenneth’s version of events was false. Authorities uncovered evidence that Kendra had begged her father not to point the shotgun at her before she was shot, making it clear that the incident was not an accident.
Police Major B. Johns confirmed that the shooting was intentional, not a tragic mishap. Kendra’s final moments were filled with terror, as she had pleaded for her life.
The Aftermath
Neighbors and witnesses were left horrified by the events that unfolded. One bystander, who had been sitting in his car, described hearing the gunshot and the frantic screams that followed.
Another neighbor, N. Ledbetter, recalled seeing Kendra’s grandmother shortly after the shooting and hearing the devastating news that Kendra had been shot. The community, already shaken by the violent loss of such a young life, struggled to make sense of the tragedy.
Kenneth’s Violent Past and Criminal History
Kenneth’s actions were not only shocking but also tied to his violent and criminal history. In addition to the charges in this case, Kenneth had recently been convicted of trafficking cocaine and had been arrested approximately 40 times over the last 20 years.
Prosecutor M. Heck emphasized that Kenneth’s history made him an ongoing threat, particularly around firearms. “This defendant should never be allowed anywhere near a firearm and deserves to be in prison,” Heck said.
Kenneth’s Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Kenneth has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, endangering children, and various firearm-related offenses.
The charges have been made even more severe due to his prior felony convictions. Kenneth F. faces the prospect of spending many years behind bars when his sentencing takes place on May 14, 2025.
Kendra’s Legacy and Family’s Loss
Kendra’s family is left to mourn the loss of a “shining little star”, as described in her obituary. Kendra was remembered as a girl full of joy, creativity, and kindness, whose laughter and energy brightened the lives of everyone around her.
Her family wrote that her spirit and kindness were a beacon of warmth, making her untimely death even more painful for those who loved her. The loss of Kendra has not only devastated her family but also left the community grappling with the senselessness of the crime.