Ohio police say a 38-year-old man fatally shot his 15-year-old daughter and attempted to pin the blame on his autistic stepson.
Kenneth Paul Farler III faces charges including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, child endangering, and gun charges in connection with Kendra Farler’s death, 2 News reports.
Investigators said the shooting took place on April 16 at a home in the 400 block of Bowen Street in Dayton. Police responded to a 911 call received a little after noon on April 14.
“My stepson, he’s autistic, he had no, it was an accident ma’am,” Kenneth Farler said during a 911 call, according to WHIO 7. “He’s autistic. He had no (expletive) idea what he was doing.”
Police, however, said they found discrepancies in the explanation provided, as evidence found at the scene didn’t align with an accidental shooting.
“The remarks on the call stated that a female 15 years of age was shot and killed at the residence, and that she was killed by her 15-year-old sibling who was autistic and nonverbal,” Dayton Police Department Major Brian Johns said at a Tuesday press conference.
“Yeah, we’re still going through the evidence, right so I would say that it’s not an accident. Even our victim was asking him to not point the shotgun at her prior to her death. That’s not an accident.”
It’s unclear how Farler obtained the firearm, but police added that no alcohol or drugs were found at the scene. The motive is also unknown.
Farler remains behind bars without bail. His next scheduled court date is set for April 17.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Kendra Farler/Legacy.com; Kenneth Farler/Montgomery County Jail]
