A Washington state couple has been sentenced for the tragic death of their one-year-old daughter, who was accidentally shot after picking up an unsecured gun left out in the open.
Jesse Kitson, 34, and Arabella Watts, 26, were charged after their infant daughter was fatally shot on December 4, 2021. The incident occurred when a gun fell off a coffee table, and the child picked it up. At the time, Watts was sitting on the couch using her phone, while Kitson was moving between the kitchen and an outdoor grill, according to court records.
Watts told investigators that the gun was left on the coffee table, but Kitson initially claimed he had placed it on a shelf. Authorities believe the child may have pulled a coat from under the table, causing the loaded gun to fall and discharge, resulting in her death.
Both parents faced serious charges. Kitson and Watts pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unsafe firearm storage. Kitson received a sentence of five years and ten months, along with 18 months of community custody. Watts was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison. Initially, both had pleaded not guilty to first-degree homicide charges in a domestic violence case in January 2024.
Court documents revealed more details about the night of the incident. Watts had brought her daughter and two-year-old son to Kitson’s home. Kitson told investigators that he had placed his loaded firearm on the coffee table, despite his earlier claim that it was on a shelf. Watts was sitting on the couch with the one-year-old, unaware of the potential danger.
While Watts was preparing dinner and texting, Kitson paced back and forth between the kitchen and outside. Neither parent heard the gun go off. They only realized something was wrong when they saw their daughter lying near the weapon.
Watts immediately called 911. First responders tried to save the baby’s life for 10 minutes, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner confirmed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the torso.
Watts later told authorities, “I knew that this could happen.” She also admitted that she was afraid of the gun and did not like being around it.
This heartbreaking case has left the community in shock, highlighting the dangers of unsecured firearms and the tragic consequences of improper gun storage.
