New details were released Tuesday about a father accused of killing his daughter and then blaming it on his stepson, who has autism.
Kenneth Paul Farler III, 38, was arrested just hours after the shooting and now faces charges.
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The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office identified the teen Tuesday as Kendra Farler.
Police say Farler had a room in a boarding house in an east Dayton neighborhood. On Sunday, his wife and three children, including 15-year-old Kendra, came to visit him.
Police discovered that Farler also had several weapons in the room and the visit ended in family tragedy.
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“To say it was a tragedy is an understatement,” Dayton Police Maj. Brian Johns said.
Johns spoke about what happened at the boarding house just moments after prosecutors approved charges against Farler.
During a 911 call shortly after the shooting, Farler attempted to blame his daughter’s death on an accidental shooting, saying his 15-year-old autistic stepson was responsible.
“We have great investigators at the Dayton Police Department and they knew right away that these stories were not consistent,” Johns said.
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Prosecutors approved charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, child endangerment and possession of weapons under disability against Farler.
Police say they discovered a shotgun and several other weapons in his guest room, despite previous convictions that would not allow him to legally own a gun.
“First and foremost, I think it’s terrible for the family,” said Nancy Ledbetter, who lives nearby.
Ledbetter said the entire neighborhood is shocked by the teen’s death.
“I will say it’s not an accident, even our victim asked him not to point the gun at her,” Johns said.
Police said both parents initially claimed the victim’s 15-year-old autistic brother was responsible for the gunfire.
The mother is cooperating and will not be charged, but police say whoever supplied the guns to Farler, a convicted felon, could face charges if they track him down.
We will continue to update this story.
