Mother pleads guilty in accidental shooting of baby in Granite Falls

Arabella Watts, 27, has pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter following the accidental shooting death of her infant daughter, Naleyna Rhonda Jean Kitson, in Granite Falls in December 2021. The child was shot after a loaded revolver, left unsecured on a coffee table, fell and discharged. This incident has sparked important discussions about gun safety and parental responsibilities in protecting children from firearms. Prosecutors dropped additional charges against Watts regarding unsafe storage of the weapon. She could face between just over 5½ years and just under 6½ years in prison, with sentencing set for January 31.

The child's father, Jesse Kitson, who has a history of felony convictions, is also facing sentencing after pleading guilty to similar charges. This case serves as a critical reminder of the need for enhanced firearm safety measures in homes with young children.