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Ja'Mariel La'Nique Tanksley

Age 1

Cape Girardeau, Missouri

A glow when she saw mom

She was old enough to bring joy to her family, too young to know the dangers of the world. You could see the glow in her eyes when she looked at her hardworking mother.

She was at a babysitter’s house while her mother worked an extra shift at the nursing home. The babysitter’s brother had been drinking all night; she told him to hush so the baby could sleep. An argument began; shots were fired.

On March 12, 2018 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Ja'Mariel La'Nique Tanksley was shot in the head and died. She was 377 days old.

By Murphy McFarlane · Age 16
Meet the Reporters

More than 80 infants and toddlers

Izabella Marie Helem

Brother shoots his sister by accident

Damion Little Jr.

By his mother’s side until death

Ke'Anthony Terez Jelks Jr.

He was well beyond his years

David Jermaine Hall

Empty seat in his mother’s car

Jason Garcia Perez

Three months from his first birthday

Unknown

Ears ringing. Loud noise. Third accident.

Unknown

The pistol was on the counter

Nyla Jones

Shot by accident, while with family

Paxton Reece Edwards

It seemed like a happy home

Owen Propes

Rosy cheeks, blue eyes. Only 3.

Kayleen Lor

She just wanted to help people

Aiden Martin

Cinnamon twists. Play-Doh. Accident. Bloody refrigerator.

Julien Gonzalez

The youngest infant at his daycare

Messiah Murphy

A wrong turn, a grandson gone

Kyrie L. Johnson

He was only 17 months old

Livia Robinson

Sweet Livia’s smile ended while sleeping

Mikayla Alina Walker

Champion won’t lift yellow sword again

Montreal Dunn

Picket fence couldn’t keep him safe

Malachi La'Velle Michael Barnes

His mom had birthday invitations ready

Moises Ramon Montano

He was resting in Mom’s arms