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Kansas mother charged with murder following death of 15-month-old son
Shanna Kay Whitton is accused of intentionally setting a fire in her child’s bedroom in July.
A mother from Kansas has been charged with the murder of her 15-month-old son following an investigation into his death last year.
On Monday, the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office charged Shanna Kay Whitton with one count of first-degree felony murder, child abuse, aggravated child endangerment, and aggravated arson.
The charges stem from the August 2025 death of her son, Matthew Jon Whitton, and a suspicious fire that occurred at their residence just one month before the fatal incident.
Emergency services were originally called to the Mimosa Arms Apartments in Clearwater on 25 August after reports that a child had choked on food. Despite medical intervention, the toddler died in the hospital three days later.
Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter noted that investigators immediately doubted the mother’s account of the incident.
A subsequent autopsy revealed that Matthew died from complications caused by an "intentionally inflicted asphyxia event," and the coroner confirmed that no food was found in the boy's airway. The death was officially ruled a homicide.
Further investigation into the family’s history revealed that an apartment fire had broken out on 26 July in Matthew's bedroom while he was inside.
Fire investigators concluded the blaze was intentionally set, endangering several other occupied units. Whitton was initially arrested in October on arson charges and has remained in custody ever since.
Sheriff Easter stated that the investigation was lengthy because of the responsibility to "get it right" and be a voice for children. Whitton is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
