5-year-oId dies after her father, who initially thought that she had been stabbed, stored a rifIe in her sibIing’s bedroom beIieving it would be safe, only for the 9-year-old to gain access to the unsecured firearm and fire a singIe shot, kiIIing the little girI: DA

Arizona – An Arizona man has been lndicted on feIony charges of chiId abuse, domestic vioIence, and misconduct involving a weapon, according to County Attorney RacheI MitcheII. The charges stem from the death of his chiId, who was fataIIy shot in Arizona earlier this year.

The investigation process began in June after Arizona authorities received a report of a critically injured child, 5, at the family’s home. The child had suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to a hospital, where she later died. Investigators determined that the weapon was a rifIe that the parent, 33-year-old I. Jimmenez, had stored in the bedroom of his 9-year-old child. According to Arizona authorities, the 9-year-old sibling gained access to the unsecured firearm and fired the shot that killed the 5-year-old.

The parent was legally barred from possessing a firearm at the time of the shooting, classified as a prohibited possessor. His storage of the weapon in the child’s bedroom led to the charge of misconduct involving weapons. The child abuse count is a Class Three Dangerous Felony, and the misconduct in the weapon charge is a Class Four felony.

During the investigation, police collected the firearm, interviewed family members, and reviewed the children’s room where the gun was stored. They also reviewed legal records showing that the defendant was barred from possessing weapons. Witnesses, including family members, were questioned about the storage and accessibility of the weapon.

The defendant told investigators that he had stored the rifle believing it would be safe, though he admitted it was in the child’s bedroom. He also acknowledged that he was aware of his legal prohibition against possessing firearms. He stated that he did not anticipate the younger child having access to the weapon.

The father initially told investigators that his daughter had been stabbed and Arizona authorities learned he had driven his daughter from their home to meet an ambulance.

The case is now scheduled for trial on March 5, 2026. Prosecutors argue that the parent’s negligence in firearm storage directly contributed to the death of his child, and that his conduct violated both weapon statutes and child abuse laws. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty under the law.