North Little Rock police arrest mother in connection with shooting death of 4-year-old

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The North Little Rock Police Department said they arrested a mother after her 4-year-old daughter was shot and killed earlier in the month.

According to NLRPD officials, 25-year-old Bethany McManis of North Little Rock is facing multiple charges tied to the shooting death of her daughter.

On Aug. 9, authorities said officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Water Street just before 8:30 a.m. after a child was reportedly shot.

According to an arrest affidavit, officers arrived as the child was being taken to a local hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound to the head. Police said the child died from her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Officers said they then entered the home to find blood throughout the residence leading to the back bedroom.

Police said they spoke to McManis’ boyfriend who allegedly told law enforcement that he was asleep when McManis’ two-year-old child got into her purse, pulled out her gun and then shot the four-year-old. Authorities said McManis told officers that she was sleeping when she heard a gunshot and jumped up.

Police said they then executed a search warrant of the home, finding two firearms, a 9mm handgun and a .40 caliber handgun. Authorities said the magazines were both removed from the guns and the ammunition was removed from the magazine of the 9mm gun. Detectives said they also found a firearm cartridge lying on the bed in the back bedroom.

During a later interview, police said McManis said she keeps her 9mm handgun in her purse and normally keeps it on the kitchen table or underneath her nightstand on her side of the bed.

On the night of Aug. 8, police said McManis clocked out of work at 11:32 p.m. and got home at 12:10 a.m. on Aug. 9. According to police, McManis was tired and put her purse, which contained her gun, under her nightstand before going to bed at 1 a.m.

The next morning, detectives said McManis was awakened by the 4-year-old asking her to watch TV. McManis put cartoons on and the 4-year-old then got on the far side of the bed with McManis in the middle and her boyfriend on the right side. Police said McManis then went back to sleep.

According to the affidavit, McManis was then woken up by the sound of a gunshot and saw the 4-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound to the head and her handgun lying on the floor in front of her 2-year-old son. The affidavit states that McManis called 911 and collected both her and her boyfriend’s firearms.

The arrest affidavit states that McManis also told police that she smoked methamphetamine on the night of Aug. 8 and uses marijuana regularly.

McManis is facing multiple charges, including manslaughter and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the NLRPD tip line at 501-680-8439 or detectives at 501-771-7151. Those with information can remain anonymous.

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