Flint parents charged with manslaughter in death of son, 3, who fatally shot self

FLINT, MI — The parents of a 3-year-old boy fatally shot in his Flint home have been charged with manslaughter.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton on Friday, May 23, announced he has charged both Kala M. White, 28, and Jaqualein O. Scott-Bradley, 28, with involuntary manslaughter, a 15-year felony. White is also charged with second-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse committed in the presence of a another child, and three counts of felony firearm.

Scott-Bradley is charged with the same counts and an additional charge of felon in possession of a firearm and another count of felony firearm.

The charges stem from the death of the couple’s son, Jace E. Scott.

According to reports from investigators with the Flint Police Department, around 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, White and Scott-Bradley were watching TV on the first floor of their home on Cadillac Street when they sent Jace and his 7-year-old sister upstairs to their bedroom. Moments later, the parents heard a gunshot come from upstairs and found Jace lying on the top bunk bed next to a 9mm handgun with a wound to his head, Leyton said.

The parents and their daughter then rushed Jace to Hurley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:16 p.m.

“This is a tragic and heartbreaking incident that could have been prevented with the proper, safe handling and storage of a deadly weapon,” Leyton said. “In an instant, a child’s life was lost and two parents now face homicide charges related to his death. I realize a lot of individuals keep weapons in their homes for the safety and protection of their family. With that right comes great responsibility.”

White is alleged to have left the loaded gun in an area accessible to the children.

“I implore everyone who owns a gun to make sure their weapons are properly and safely stored and inaccessible to children so that we do not have to suffer another preventable tragedy like this,” Leyton said.

The couple’s next court date is pending. Both White and Scott-Bradley were in custody at the Genesee County Jail as of Friday night.