Two Brookville parents have been charged following an investigation into the shooting deaths of their 5-year-old and 8-year-old children.

The Ellsworth County Attorney’s Office filed charges against Aaron French, 37, and Makayla French, 28, both of Brookville, according to an update released by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Each was issued a summons to appear in Ellsworth County District Court on July 28.

According to the KBI, each parent faces two counts of aggravated endangering a child classified as severity level 6 felonies and two counts of aggravated endangering a child classified as severity level 9 felonies.

The charges are allegations. Aaron French and Makayla French are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Shooting Reported at Brookville Home

The investigation began on March 28 after authorities received a call at approximately 3:15 p.m. reporting that two children had been seriously injured in a shooting at a residence south of the intersection of Kansas Highway 141 and Avenue N.

Deputies with the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol troopers, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game wardens and emergency medical personnel responded to the home.

A 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy were found with critical injuries.

Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the 5-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The 8-year-old was flown to a Wichita hospital in critical condition.

The KBI reported that the 8-year-old died from his injuries late April 3.

Investigation Found Loaded, Unsecured Shotgun

Preliminary information released during the investigation indicated that a young child inside the home picked up a loaded and unsecured shotgun and fired it, striking two siblings.

The Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the KBI at approximately 4:10 p.m. on March 28. KBI agents and members of the agency’s Crime Scene Response Team were sent to the scene.

After the investigation was completed, the findings were presented to the Ellsworth County Attorney’s Office for review.

The KBI said no additional information would be released.