On July 27 of 2023, 8-year-old Jenesis Dockery and her 5-year-old sister was at their babysitter, Chrystle Michael's home. The Dockerys say Michael was a longtime friend of the family and had cared for Jenesis and her young sister multiple times.
It's believed Jenesis was hit accidentally after the gun fell from a closet or while Michael's 11-year-old son was handling the gun that he took from his grandfather's house.
In March, the Dockerys filed a wrongful deathlawsuit against that babysitter, Chrystle Michael, and the gun's owner, Thomas Micheal.
The lawsuit alleges both owned and failed to secure the Phoenix Arms Raven .25 automatic pistol used in the shooting. It also states Thomas Michael failed to report the gun lost or stolen before the incident.
"Our family has been changed forever by a tragedy that was very well preventable. Irresponsibility, negligence," said Fon Dockery, the father of Jenesis Dockery. "We stand here today to own up to our human responsibility, our parental responsibility to ask for justice and transparency for the life, the light, and the advocacy of Jenesis Dockery."
Jenesis Dockery's family files lawsuit in 8-year-old girl's death
Jenesis's father Fon Dockery was charged with sending threatening messages to Michael and her family. He is due in court on Monday.