MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A mother accused in the shooting death of her own daughter appeared in court Wednesday.
As the judge read charges to Katrena Blackshire, 33, she listened with a straight face.
But she soon started to wipe tears from her eyes.
Blackshire faces negligent homicide and child neglect charges in what police describe as a horrific, but preventable accident.
“She’s what you would expect to be in a tragedy. It’s really hard to talk and gather your mind,” Blackshire’s attorney, Mike Campbell, said.
Witnesses say she left her 12-year-old daughter, Tateanna James, and 13-year-old son in the car Tuesday while she took her other children into a neighborhood Christian camp.
“She was dropping her kids off. They participate in our programs everyday,” family friend Hattie Porter said.
Blackshire also attended the camps when she was younger, Porter said.
Tragedy happened when she was taking the two children inside.
She admitted she left a loaded gun in the center console with her son and daughter in the car when it went off, killing Tateanna, according to Memphis Police documents.
They charged Blackshire and her 13-year-old son in the shooting death.
“This is a tragedy. This has affected the entire family, not just Ms. Blackshire. At this time, we ask everyone to keep them in their prayers as we try to resolve this,” said Eric Mogy, attorney for the 13-year-old boy.
A judge set Blackshire’s bond at $35,000.
She faces up to 30 years in prison for the child abuse charges.
The 13-year-old defendant also had a hearing Wednesday afternoon in juvenile court.
They found probable cause to continue with the case, according to attorneys.
