Kansas Mother Sentenced to Life After Daughter's Death

Mariann Belair, a 24-year-old Kansas mother, has been sentenced to life in prison for the accidental shooting death of her 4-year-old daughter, Lawrencia Perez-Belair, by her 2-year-old son. The Shawnee County District Court found Belair guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated child endangerment, with the jury concluding that the circumstances constituted an inherently dangerous felony. During her trial, Belair admitted to placing a loaded 9mm handgun on the couch while she was distracted by her daughter asking for a photo, allowing the gun to sit unattended for at least 12 minutes. Evidence presented included a search of her home that revealed the firearm alongside methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Belair is not eligible for parole until she has served 25 years, and she has since requested a new trial, claiming her trial attorney discouraged a plea deal that could have resulted in a lighter sentence. Nationally, there have been 162 unintentional shootings by children in 2023, highlighting the broader issue of gun safety at home.