A heartbreaking tragedy in North Manchester has led to felony charges against two parents after their 4-year-old son died from what authorities say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Mikayla Stanley, 25, and her husband Nathan Stanley, 26, have been formally charged with neglect resulting in death, following the May 30 incident. Both were arrested and are currently being held at the Wabash County Jail.
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According to court documents, a relative was supervising the couple’s two children that day. She told investigators she was in the Stanleys’ bedroom with the boys, preparing to change the younger child’s diaper when the older child began playing with objects on the bedside table.
The woman recalled hearing the child say, “Oh, a flashlight,” moments before a gunshot rang out. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy confirmed he died from a gunshot wound to the torso, and his death has been ruled a homicide.
Upon arriving at the home, Mikayla Stanley immediately asked if the incident had anything to do with her husband’s guns, reportedly telling police he was “always leaving them out.”
Nathan Stanley admitted to having several unsecured firearms in the bedroom—including three handguns, a shotgun, and a .22 rifle—and confirmed he had taken a Canik 9mm, believed to be the weapon used, shooting just five days earlier. He told officers he failed to put the guns back into their cases afterward.
Despite having a safety plan with the Department of Child Services, the firearms were not secured at the time of the incident.
Mikayla said she regularly moved her husband’s guns when they were left out and often warned him to lock them up. She added that Nathan frequently left weapons unattended—even on the kitchen counter.
Both parents face up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
