Northern Kentucky parents sentenced for shooting death of their toddler by his brother

COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – Two Northern Kentucky parents were sentenced Monday for the shooting death of heir toddler at the hands of their other child.

Khalil Adams, 2, was shot and killed by his 3-year-old brother in January 2024 at the family’s Covington home. The 3-year-old found the gun in an unsecured dresser.

At the time of the shooting, Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said the Tashaun Adams and Selena Farrell were asleep in the afternoon when their 3-year-old shot his little brother.

Farrell took off and was found hiding at a hotel in Florence. She told police at the time she was trying to avoid arrest on a warrant so she could attend Khalil’s funeral.

The couple originally faced a murder charge. Farrell was also charged with abandonment of a minor, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Adams was also charged with hindering apprehension, for allegedly not telling police where Farrell was.

Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said the pair was convicted of reckless homicide in April.. Farrell was also convicted of abandonment of a minor. Sanders believes it to be the first time in Kentucky that a jury has held parents criminally responsible for their failures to secure their gun and supervise their children.

The jury had recommended a seven year sentence for Farrell and a five year sentence for Adams, which is what the judge handed down.