A Nebraska woman, aged 33, has been arrested following a tragic incident in which her six-year-old daughter accidentally shot and killed herself with an unsecured firearm. The mother, Yolonda Barfield, had reportedly purchased the gun out of fear of her abusive ex-boyfriend. She now faces charges of child abuse by neglect and child abuse by intent in connection with the death of her daughter, Alonni Barfield.
The Omaha Police Department responded to a reported shooting at a residence on Redick Avenue on the afternoon of December 15, 2024. Upon arrival, first responders found young Alonni with a gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to the Nebraska Medical Center in critical condition, the child succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
Following a three-week investigation into the circumstances surrounding Alonni’s death, authorities charged Barfield in connection with the shooting. A probable cause affidavit revealed further details about the incident. At the time of the shooting, three other children, aged 8, 13, and 15, were also present in the home. Alonni’s 15-year-old brother discovered her on the floor in their mother’s bedroom and made the 911 call.
The affidavit also revealed that Barfield had acquired the firearm due to fear of her ex-boyfriend, who allegedly had a history of domestic violence against her. The firearm was reportedly unsecured, and the children were aware of its presence and location in the house.
Barfield initially kept the firearm hidden in a closet but later moved it beneath the mattress in her bedroom, where Alonni accidentally shot herself. In court, Barfield’s defense attorney argued that the frequency of violent domestic incidents involving her ex-boyfriend had increased in the previous month, and law enforcement had failed to provide adequate protection.
Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine sought a bond of $500,000, citing the severity of the crime. Barfield’s attorney countered that she had no prior criminal record and proposed a $10,000 bond, arguing that she posed no risk to others. The judge set the bond at $25,000, of which Barfield must pay 10% to secure her release. As of Thursday morning, she remained in detention at the Douglas County Jail, with a court date set for February.