A Minnesota babysitter has been sentenced in connection with the shooting death of 3-year-old Jajuan Robinson Jr., who died in October 2024.
Elliot Staples III pleaded guilty in September to second-degree manslaughter, according to reports from CBS News and KSTP. Court records show he was sentenced to six months in jail, CBS News reported on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Investigators say Staples was caring for Jajuan on Oct. 21, 2024, while the child’s mother was at work. According to a criminal complaint and prior reporting by CBS News, KSTP, and The Minnesota Star Tribune, Staples told police he set a gun on a kitchen island before going to the bathroom.
While in the bathroom, he reported hearing a gunshot. When he came out, he found Jajuan bleeding from the head, according to the complaint. Prosecutors have said the child located the gun and shot himself during that time, KSTP reported.
Staples told police he then placed the gun on top of the refrigerator, The Minnesota Star Tribune reported. Charging documents cited by the outlets also note Staples said he typically stores the gun on the refrigerator, but did not do so that day because he was in a hurry.
Jajuan was taken to a hospital, where he later died, CBS News and The Minnesota Star Tribune reported.
In an interview with KSTP days after the shooting, Charlotte Williams questioned how the child was able to access the weapon. “For him to get a hold of a gun, how?” she said. “He thought it was a toy.” Williams also said her child’s last words were: “Mommy.”
Staples’ jail sentence is scheduled to begin March 3, and he was ordered to pay $7,500 in restitution. After completing his sentence, he will be under supervised probation for five years, CBS News reported, citing court documents. The documents state that a probation violation could result in up to four years in prison.
