Father charged in connection to shooting death of 6-year-old Cleveland daughter free on bond

CLEVELAND - Edmund Benson, the father who has been charged in connection to the shooting death of his 6-year-old daughter, Nevaeh Benson, is free on bond.

He faced a judge Tuesday morning, charged with having weapons under disability and endangering children.  

At first, Benson didn't show much emotion until the judge asked him what his relationship to the child was.

"I'm the father," he replied, as he began to break down. His eyes filled up with tears as the enormity of what happened began to consume him.

Christopher Williams, the child’s uncle, said Nevaeh went upstairs to grab something for her sister. He said they never heard a gun fire, but heard a loud thump.

"All we heard is somebody falling on the floor,” Williams explained. "Her daddy ran upstairs and he started screaming 'help, help, help' and we all ran upstairs."

Williams said the family has been getting nasty messages from people about Nevaeh's death. He said they don’t know his family and the shooting was an accident.

"I'm sure when she saw the gun she never expected it to go off on her," Williams said.

The shooting happened in the 4100 block of East 116th St. Nevaeh was rushed to the hospital where she later died from her injuries.

The preliminary report from police said she suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face. Benson’s lawyer said he is not a flight risk and wants to attend his daughter's funeral.