Man Accused of Killing Daughter Wants Release for Funeral

Deandre Kelley wants to be among those mourning the child he is accused of killing

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Deandre Kelley
AP / Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

Deandre Kelley

A Cincinnati man charged with shooting his daughter to death is asking Thursday to be temporarily released so he can attend her funeral.

Deandre Kelley, 34, will go before a judge Thursday to find out if he can bury his daughter Achauntiara “Shanti” Lanza, 11, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Police said the girl was fatally wounded when a bullet Kelley fired into the air by while arguing with her mother struck her in the chest after entering an upstairs bedroom window.

The girl’s mother, Kristina Lanza, reportedly would not allow Kelley into the home because he was intoxicated. Kelley fled the scene, but turned himself in to police after several hours on the lam.

Kelley’s lawyer initially filed for the furlough Wednesday. Kelley is being held on $500,000 bond under a charge of reckless homicide. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and could receive three years in prison if convicted. Shanti’s funeral takes place Saturday.

[Cincinnati Enquirer]