A Hamilton County judge on Tuesday found Teasia Leonard not guilty of child endangering in the case stemming from a May 31, 2025, shooting in Cincinnati. The toddler survived the wound, and prosecutors said the child shot himself.
Judge convicts on no charge after bench trial
Leonard had been arrested after the child was shot a short time after she placed him alone in her bedroom on Nottingham Road, according to court filings. She elected a bench trial, and the judge returned a verdict of not guilty.
At an earlier arraignment, Leonard’s attorney told the court that she does not possess a firearm and had recently begun dating a man who visited the home with a friend. The attorney said Leonard had no knowledge of a gun being in the residence.
"She had no idea a gun was in the home," the defense said during the arraignment.
An assistant prosecutor told the court that the child shot himself. The toddler survived the incident.
Timeline of the case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 31, 2025 | Toddler shot while in bedroom on Nottingham Road; child survived |
| Arraignment (date not specified) | Defense says Leonard did not know a gun was in the home; attorney notes new boyfriend and his friend had been in the residence |
| Tuesday (Sept. 15–16, 2026) | Judge finds Leonard not guilty following a bench trial |
What the verdict means locally
The judge’s not-guilty verdict ends criminal proceedings against Leonard in this case. For neighbors on Nottingham Road and Cincinnati residents, the outcome may prompt renewed discussion about firearm safety, supervision of young children and the legal standards prosecutors must meet in child endangering cases.
- Legal standard: A criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant’s conduct met the statutory elements of the offense. In bench trials, a judge applies that standard alone when weighing testimony and evidence.
- Community concerns: Incidents involving young children and firearms often lead to calls for safer storage practices and public education on keeping weapons out of reach.
- Next steps: With the not-guilty verdict, no further criminal penalty will be imposed through this prosecution; civil or administrative actions, if any, were not reported in court records made public in the coverage.
The available reporting does not provide detailed testimony from witnesses or the complete evidentiary record presented at the bench trial. News accounts said only that prosecutors maintained the child shot himself and the defense contended Leonard had no knowledge of a firearm in the home.
Incidents like the Nottingham Road shooting often prompt local leaders and child safety advocates to review available resources for parents and caregivers, including information on safe firearm storage and community programs focused on injury prevention. Cincinnati health officials and local law enforcement periodically provide resources and outreach on reducing unintentional injury risks to children.
The case drew attention because it involved a very young child who survived a firearms injury and because it raised questions about who bears responsibility when a weapon is present in a home but not under the control of the person caring for a child. The judge’s ruling underscores the role of courts in assessing whether the evidence presented meets the legal standard for criminal liability.
Local residents with concerns about gun safety or child supervision resources may contact Cincinnati-area public health agencies and community organizations for guidance. The verdict in this case concludes the criminal chapter involving Leonard, while community conversations about prevention and safety are likely to continue.
