Police: Philadelphia father admits to accidentally shooting, killing 4-year-old daughter

KENSINGTON -- A father has admitted to accidentally shooting and killing his 4-year-old daughter in the Kensington section of Philadelphia after it was originally believed her 5-year-old sibling pulled the trigger.

The man turned himself into police late Saturday night.

Police say following their investigation, the man admitted to the shooting, but told police the 5-year-old sibling had nothing to do with it.

Police say the man is a father to one child and a stepfather to another.

Charges are pending.

The shooting happened just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday along the 200 block of East Mayfield Street.

Police say the child was shot once in the chest, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Homicide detectives spent hours inside the home trying to piece together what led to the shooting.

Police say the little girl lived in the home with her mom, dad and six siblings.

The neighbors say the mom was very protective of her children, and she would only let them play in the backyard because she was afraid of the crime on the street.

"I said why don't you bring the kids out?" neighbor Louise Sawyer said.

Sawyer said the mother's response was: "'No I'm not bringing these kids out here with all this trouble.'"

"She was a sweet, loving, little girl," family friend Crystal Dougherty said. "She was full of life. She was always willing to help. She was a great big sister to her little brother."