Kansas

Kansas Mom Gets Life After Son, 2, Fatally Shoots Daughter

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2024

Kansas Mom Gets Life After Son, 2, Fatally Shoots Daughter

A Kansas mother whose 2-year-old son fatally shot his 4-year-old sister has been sentenced to life in prison. The AP reports Mariann Belair, 24, won’t be eligible for parole until she’s served 25 years under the sentence imposed Tuesday in Shawnee County District Court. Jurors found her guilty in May of aggravated child endangerment and first-degree murder in the commission of a felony.

Belair testified at her trial that she removed a loaded 9mm handgun from her diaper bag and placed it on the couch next to her in October while she was home with her 4-year-old daughter, Lawrencia Perez-Belair, and her 2-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter. She said she had planned to go get food with her family and was making sure she had everything she needed in the bag. She said Lawrencia then “distracted” her by asking her to shoot a cellphone photo of them together.

Deputy District Attorney Lauren Amrein told jurors that the gun sat on the couch at least 12 minutes before Belair’s son, who was about to turn 3, picked it up and shot his sister. She said no reasonable person would have let the gun sit there so long with small children present. Court records show Belair complained in a handwritten motion that her trial attorney discouraged her from taking a plea that would have resulted in her being sentenced to 10 years and three months in prison. A new attorney assigned to the case has requested a new trial.

(More fatal shooting stories.)

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Kansas

Rainy holiday: Spirit of Kansas’ Car Show, Blues fest, MHK cardboard box regatta cancelled

Published

13 hours ago

July 4, 2026

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Rainy holiday: Spirit of Kansas’ Car Show, Blues fest, MHK cardboard box regatta cancelled

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A rainy Independence Day morning is impacting holiday events around the area.

Following an initial delay, Shawnee Co. Parks + Recreation announced the Spirit of Kansas Car Show and Blue Festival is cancelled.

As of right now, the Capitol Federal Fireworks Show is still slated to start at 10 p.m.

Other Independence Day events like the Potwin Neighborhood parade and Collins Park Neighborhood parade have been cancelled due to the rainfall. The College Hill Neighborhood parade stepped off about 20 minutes late, but still got in their event.

In Manhattan, after remaining hopeful they’d be in the clear, Manhattan Parks and Rec cancelled its Star-Spangled Spectacular Cardboard Box Regatta.

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Kansas

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrated victory Friday over Ghana in the Round of 32 World Cup match

Published

23 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrated victory Friday over Ghana in the Round of 32 World Cup match

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne reports on stories in Overland Park, Johnson County and topics about government accountability. Share your story idea with Isabella.

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Colombians, Ghanians and Argentinians in Kansas City brought the energy and excitement for Friday’s Round of 32 matches in the World Cup.

Colombia fans in Kansas City celebrate victory win over Ghana in World Cup match

Colombia and Ghana played Friday at Kansas City Stadium, with Colombia winning over the Black Stars 1-0.

At Paisa MX Columbian Restaurant in North Kansas City, dozens celebrated their country’s win with dancing, food, and more dancing.

Colombia could now have a match with Argentina in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both teams win their next matches

With Friday’s win over Cape Verde, Argentina is one step closer to coming back to Kansas City.

Jake Weller

“It’s a big deal for me because my dad is Argentinian,” Jeremias Carmona, a soccer fan said. “Having Argentina in our backyard is literally the best thing.”

But Cape Verde didn’t go home without a fight, pushing Argentina to extra time at the end of the match.

“If you’re not at the game, you feel like you’re at the game [at watch parties] because the amount of people there are here,” Carmona said.

Even though the matches are higher stakes and more intense, it’s still a special moment shared between families.

“It’s so cool to share [the game] with [my dad] who encouraged me and pushed me in soccer,” fan Kaelynn Seestadt said. “It’s been a really amazing experience.”

Valeria Lobo traveled to Kansas City with her mom, Bade, hoping to see her family’s country win.

“It’s our first Colombia match and we’re so excited,” Valeria Lobo said.

“Really big World Cup energy [in Kansas City],” Lobo said. “I love it so much.”

Some fans traveled from right down the road, buying their match tickets five minutes before an interview with KSHB 41 News.

“We’re going to do it and have the most memorable night of our life,” fan Ben Johnson said.

Kansas City turned yellow Friday night for both Ghana and Colombia, with the community giving that warm Midwest welcome.

“It feels like home,” Colombia fan Martha Bermudez said. “You get goosebumps to see your Colombia colors and hear your language.”

At Paisa MX, it was a home away from home for dozens of Colombians in Kansas City.

“We’ve been looking everywhere for a Colombia restaurant,” fan Christina Rose said. “The food made us feel like we were back home and this place has it all.”

Colombia will now face Switzerland in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7.

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