In the autumn of 2022, a bright and adventurous 7-year-old boy from Saginaw, Michigan, named Sevyn Marquise Ashworth, tragically lost his life. Born on June 18, 2015, Sevyn was a first-grader at the Millet Learning Center. He was a special and loving little boy, affectionately known as 'Dudiee' to his family. He found joy in the simple things, like being outside, climbing trees, and watching his favorite movies, 'The Lion King' and 'A Goofy Movie.'
He had a particular fondness for pizza rolls, so much so that his uncle playfully nicknamed him 'Pizza Roll Paulie.'
On October 31, 2022, at the Bavarian Village Apartments in Bridgeport Township, a turn of events led to a devastating incident. Sevyn, who was nonverbal and autistic, found an unsecured handgun and accidentally shot himself in the head. He was rushed to the University of Michigan-Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he fought for his life for two days. Sadly, on November 2, 2022, Sevyn succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the tragic shooting revealed that the firearm belonged to a friend of Sevyn's mother, T-Keeyha Lane. It was determined that Lane had left the gun in the apartment where the young boy had access to it. As a result of the investigation, Lane was arrested and faced legal consequences for her role in the devastating incident.
In April 2024, T-Keeyha Lane was sentenced for her connection to Sevyn's death. She was sentenced to a term of 19 months to 15 years in prison. The charges against her included child abuse, stemming from her negligence in leaving an unsecured firearm accessible to a child. The legal proceedings concluded a painful chapter for the family, though the community continues to mourn the loss of a young life cut short.
