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Jayden James Piedra

Age 2

Jacksonville, Florida

Little boy’s boundless energy is gone

He and his siblings were his mother’s only family where they lived in Jacksonville, Florida. A friend of the family said, “He was like her heart.”

The 2-year-old boy was active and well-mannered and respectful. "There’s really no explanation on how I can describe what I’m feeling," his godmother said. "I don’t know how he could’ve got ahold [of] a gun."

On the morning of Feb. 9, 2019, Jayden James Piedra’s mother brought him to a friend's apartment, where the boy found an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself. He died later that day at UF Health Jacksonville. 

By Sophia McDermott-Hughes · Age 18
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