On February 9, 2022, two-year-old Khalise Lynn Brewer was fatally shot in the head by her father, Seninta Parks, inside his apartment on Meyer Ave near Porter St SW in Wyoming, Michigan. After shooting Khalise, Parks turned the gun on himself but survived and was briefly hospitalized; Khalise was declared dead at the scene. Parks, who had two prior felony convictions and was on parole at the time, was initially found not competent to stand trial but was later deemed competent. He pleaded no contest to second-degree murder, felony firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 33 to 60 years for the murder charge plus additional time for the weapons charges. A separate individual was also convicted for trafficking the gun used in the killing.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The medical examiner report states the cause of death was "Gunshot wound of the head." Multiple news articles confirm the child was shot. The Fox 17 article states: "Police say he shot Khalise before turning the gun on himself." Parks was also charged with firearm-related offenses including "firing a gun causing death inside a building" and "illegal firearm possession."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The medical examiner report (MI_22_4091.pdf) states the immediate cause of death was "Gunshot wound of the head" with description "Shot by father." The WOOD TV article further specifies that "investigators found Parks shot Khalise in the head," and the mother described "that fatal shot you fired into her beautiful face."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
The Fox 17 article states: "Police say he shot Khalise before turning the gun on himself. Parks was taken to the hospital and treated for his injury, but Khalise was declared dead at the scene." The WOOD TV article confirms: "Authorities say the toddler's father, Seninta Parks, was the one who shot her. They say he also shot himself and was briefly hospitalized." This describes an attempted murder-suicide where the father killed the child and then attempted suicide by shooting himself.
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The medical examiner report states the description of injury is "Shot by father." Multiple news articles identify the perpetrator, Seninta Parks, as Khalise's father. The Fox 17 plea deal article states: "The girl's father, Seninta Parks, was later charged with murder." The WOOD TV article headline reads "Father gets decades in prison for shooting, killing 2-year-old daughter."
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The Fox 17 competency article states: "Seninta Parks was charged with open murder in February 2022 for the death of 2-year-old Khalise Brewer." He was also charged with "firing a gun causing death inside a building, illegal firearm possession and two counts of felony firearms." He ultimately pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and weapons charges and was sentenced to 33-60 years for second-degree murder.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
The WOOD TV article states: "Parks' attorney asked the judge to take his 'multiple mental health issues' into consideration." Additionally, multiple sources note that Parks was initially "found not competent to stand trial in June 2022" (Fox 17 competency article), which directly references his mental health status.
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The WOOD TV article states: "17th Circuit Court Judge Clay West noted that Parks had two prior felonies and was on parole at the time of the shooting." This clearly establishes prior criminal history predating the fatal incident. Additionally, the charge of "felon in possession of a firearm" inherently confirms a prior felony conviction.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the sources. First, a separate individual was sentenced for trafficking the firearm used in Khalise's death, as noted in both Fox 17 articles: "This comes several months after a man was sentenced for trafficking the gun used in Khalise's death." Second, the WOOD TV article notes that Parks "had two prior felonies and was on parole at the time of the shooting," meaning he was legally prohibited from possessing firearms yet still obtained one through illegal trafficking channels. Third, a stray bullet from the incident "went into the downstairs area and could have killed your neighbor," indicating additional danger beyond the child's death. Fourth, Parks was initially found incompetent to stand trial in June 2022 but was later found competent, delaying legal proceedings significantly.
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