A 10-year-old boy who is charged with fatally shooting his mother for refusing to buy him a VR headset seems more preoccupied with his gadgets than the murder as he faces trial, family members say.
The Milwaukee boy is charged as an adult with first-degree reckless homicide in the November 21 killing of Quiana Mann, 44, who was shot in the face in their home.
The boy's aunt Rhonda Reid told WTMJ-TV on Tuesday that when she talks to him in custody, he claims not to remember the shooting and quickly shifts the conversation to his favorite topic.
"When he calls, he's just like, "Make sure all my tablets and laptop and everything of mine is properly packaged,"' Reid said.
Meanwhile, the boy's grandmother Lueritha Mann said she can't bring herself to speak to him, telling the outlet: 'I hope I do one day, but right now no. He took something very precious from me.'
Aunt Rhonda Reid said when she talks to her nephew in custody, he claims not to remember the shooting and quickly shifts the conversation to his favorite topic, his gadgets
'I can't believe he did it,' the grandmother said, adding, 'he needs to pay for what he's done.'
Reid said that her nephew had been attending therapy for more than a year for mood and conduct disorders, and part of his treatment plan included limiting access to electronic devices.
She said the boy 'was upset about these devices being taken away'.
Boy, 10, who 'shot his mom dead at close range over $500 VR headset' and is being charged as an adult, was originally LET GO after police ruled killing an accident until family raised red flags
Wisconsin boy, 10, who 'shot his mom dead' after she refused to buy him a $500 VR headset' asks judge to lower $50,000 bond to $100 - the amount in his piggybank
Prosecutors say that after his mother refused to buy him a $500 Oculus VR headset, he shot her in the face and used her credit card to purchase one of the devices online.
The boy then allegedly told his grandma he was 'sorry' for killing his mother and asked where his package was.
Earlier this month, the boy's attorney, Angela Cunningham, asked for a bail reduction from $50,000 to $100, the amount he has in his piggy bank.
The boy's grandmother Lueritha Mann said she can't bring herself to speak to him, saying: 'I hope I do one day, but right now no. He took something very precious from me.'
Prosecutors say the boy wanted an Oculus Virtual Reality Headset - which ranges from $130 to nearly $500 on Amazon, and shot his mother when she refused to buy one for him
'We have spoken to him about his ability to post anything,' Cunningham told the court.
'He told us about piggy banks with savings that he had from gifts, from birthday gifts. And scavenging through cushions in the couch that he's been able to save up.'
Judge Jane Carroll denied the request and imposed a travel restriction on the minor that will go into effect if he manages to post bail, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The child who, according to family members has 'rage issues' and hears imaginary people, has been charged with first-degree reckless homicide and will be tried as an adult.
Wisconsin state law dictates that children as young as 10 will be charged as adults for serious crimes, such as murder. He faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted.
The fact that the boy will be tried as an adult has created some headaches for Carroll, as she noted that all the usual factors when deciding bail conditions 'don't make a lot of sense when applied to a 10-year-old.'
She pointed out that the boy has no home of his own, no job, no real assets, no way of attending court by himself or a prior criminal history.
Quiana Mann, 44, was allegedly shot in the face and killed by her 10-year-old son, who was mad at her for refusing to buy him a $500 VR headset
Because he's being charged as an adult, Carroll also rejected prosecutors' request that the boy be released to the custody of a family member if he does post bail.
The judge sided with the defense attorney, noting that such a condition wouldn't be required for an adult.
The boy is currently being held in juvenile detention and has not been publicly identified by police or prosecutors.
He initially told police that the shooting was an accident. He claimed Mann had walked in front of him while he was aiming at a wall to 'scare her', and he accidentally shot her in the head, according to criminal charges obtained by the Journal Sentinel.
He later said in a second interview, however, that he intentionally aimed at his mother before shooting her at their home on 87th Street near Hemlock at around 7am on November 21.
After the shooting, he put the gun in the closet and told his older sister Brianna Moore, 26, that their mother, who worked in behavioral health, was dead, the complaint read. Moore then called 911.
The boy was allowed to stay with family, and an initial release from police said the shooting was caused by a child 'playing' with a gun.
A day later, concerned relatives called the police.
The shooting occurred in the family's Milwaukee home (above). The child will be tried as an adult, as per state law, and faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted
The boy's aunt said that when she collected him, he retrieved a set of house keys that contained a key to the gun's lockbox. When his aunt asked about the shooting, the boy said he pointed the gun at his mom and that she told him to put it down.
The boy's aunt and sister said he never cried or showed remorse and had also physically attacked his seven-year-old cousin the same day.
The boy's family said he has 'concerning' mental health issues, and has exhibited disturbing behavior in the past.
When he was four, the boy allegedly swung the family's puppy around by its tail, the complaint says. Six months ago, the family told police, he filled a balloon with a flammable liquid and set it on fire, causing an explosion that burned furniture and the carpet.
When asked why he did it, the boy allegedly said: 'Two sisters told him to do it.'
A New York State DOT tractor was struck on interstate 81 in Jefferson County after the driver passed work area signs at an unsafe speed and was not paying attention when the driver in front of him Lane corrected causing him to spin out and strike the dot tractor no serious injuries were reported
Kathy Hochul had disabled New Yorkers ARRESTED after she caused them to lose their home healthcare Medicaid program. Hochul is dismantling the home healthcare CDPAP program which will cause tens of thousands of disabled and elderly New Yorkers to lose their benefits, healthcare aides, and many forced to move to assisted living facilities.
This protest is trying to stop her bill before it goes into effect April 1st.
In December 2024, a video surfaced showing former Watertown Mayor Jeffrey Smith receiving a ride home in a police patrol car after a night of holiday drinking. The incident has sparked controversy, with City Councilman Cliff Olney accusing Smith of receiving "preferential treatment" from the Watertown Police Department.
The video, which has circulated widely on social media this week, depicts Smith interacting with officers before being escorted into the patrol car. Councilman Olney contends that such actions undermine public trust and suggest a double standard in law enforcement practices.
In response, Smith has downplayed the incident, stating, "It's not a big deal, I drive on a suspended registration too!" This remark has further fueled the debate, with critics arguing that it reflects a dismissive attitude toward legal obligations and public safety.
The Watertown Police Department has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter. As discussions continue, the incident ...
Chris O'Neil TMG
Published: August 5, 2025
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — A 34-year-old homeless woman was arrested early Wednesday morning in Public Square, marking her second arrest for public exposure in less than a week.
Chelsea A. Allen was taken into custody shortly after midnight on Aug. 5 after police responded to reports of a disorderly individual. According to court documents, Allen had lifted her dress and exposed herself in the downtown area while exhibiting signs of drug use.
Police said Allen was sweating heavily, making erratic movements, and speaking incoherently. She allegedly admitted to using methamphetamine prior to the incident.
Allen was charged with exposure of a person and appearing in public under the influence of drugs, both violations under state law. She was issued appearance tickets and released. Her next court date is scheduled for Aug. 25 in Watertown City Court.
The arrest came just days after a separate incident involving Allen at the same location.
On Friday evening, Aug. 1, police...
Watertown Police Blotter
July 22–30, 2025
July 22
Andrew Brian Bourget, 26, 724 Myrtle Ave., Watertown — Arrested at 720 Myrtle Ave. and charged with endangering the welfare of a child (Class A misdemeanor) after allegedly leaving a 2‑year‑old unsupervised for over 43 minutes. Issued an appearance ticket for Aug. 14 in Watertown City Court.
July 28
Charles John Johnson, [age not provided], Watertown — Arrested at 482 Thompson Blvd. and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration (VTL 512). Ticket returnable Aug. 11 in Watertown City Court.
July 29
Dariyon Montre Hodges, [age not provided], Watertown — Charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 2nd (VTL 511‑02a1). Released on an appearance ticket for Aug. 12 in Watertown City Court.
Robert Roger Fayette, 46, 611 Addison St., Watertown — Arrested at 187 E St. and charged with fourth‑degree criminal mischief (Class A misdemeanor) after allegedly damaging a \$150 Ring Doorbell camera. Processed and released; ...
Watertown City Police Arrests – July 8–16, 2025
Cathleen Irene Howard (55) – Arrested July 12 at Kinney Drugs, Coffeen St., for Petit Larceny after allegedly stealing \$16.24 worth of merchandise. Released with an appearance ticket for July 28.
Erica Marie Hallisey (45) – Arrested July 14 at First Baptist Church, State St., for Unlawful Possession of Noxious Matter after allegedly inhaling “Dust Off” in public and rendering herself unconscious. Released with an appearance ticket for July 28.
Thomas Henry Folsom (40) – Arrested July 12 at Franklin St. for Disorderly Conduct: Obstructing Traffic (PL 240.20) after allegedly blocking traffic and yelling at motorists. Released with an appearance ticket for July 31.
Megan Elizabeth Dryden (40) – Arrested July 8 at Mo's Diner, Factory St., for Theft of Services after allegedly failing to pay \$32.36 for food. Released with an appearance ticket for July 28.
Paul John Avallone (67) – Arrested July 15 on Polk St. for Failure to Register Social ...
For months, the Watertown City School District has insisted that the concerns emerging from within the art department were being addressed through the appropriate channels. But new information reveals a very different story—one that suggests the district’s priority was not accountability, but silence.
Trash Media Group has learned that the art teacher at the center of a long-running series of complaints allegedly resigned effective December 1st. That resignation, however, did not remove her from the school environment. Instead, sources indicate she was rehired into the English Department on the very same date. No announcement was made, no explanation was offered, and no effort was taken to inform families, staff, or the public about the stunning same-day transition.
Quiet transfers like this are sometimes used by school districts to shift problematic employees without drawing outside attention, triggering public records, or risking union disputes. But in this case, the timing and secrecy raise serious questions about what the district was trying to avoid. A teacher whose conduct reportedly generated repeated warnings, internal complaints, and growing concern among students and staff was quietly removed from one classroom only to be placed into another, with full access to students, without so much as a pause or public acknowledgment.
People familiar with the art department describe months of strain and disruption. Complaints were raised through proper channels for an extended period, yet the district stalled, redirected, and downplayed issues rather than addressing them head-on. Staff members reported feeling frustrated and dismissed, and students described the classroom environment as unstable and sometimes distressing. These concerns were not isolated or sudden; they formed a pattern the district could not credibly claim to be unaware of.
This covert December 1st shuffle fits into a larger trend within the Watertown City School District, which has faced repeated criticism for downplaying serious issues, withholding timely information from families, and failing to communicate transparently with the community. Over the past year, the district’s public posture has routinely emphasized stability and control, even as teachers, parents, and students have described the exact opposite.
The key issue now is why the district chose to move this teacher quietly into another department rather than take meaningful action. If her conduct warranted removal from the art department, what justified immediately placing her in the English Department? If the district believed her to be fit for continued employment, why was the move handled in a way that ensured no one outside the central office would know it had even occurred? The decision to make the resignation and rehiring effective on the same day appears designed to eliminate any visible separation in her employment record, raising further questions about what the district hoped would remain hidden.
Trash Media Group has formally asked the Board of Education to clarify the circumstances surrounding the resignation, the rehiring, the complaints from the art department, and the lack of public disclosure. As of publication, the district has not responded to any request for comment.
Now that the story has reached national platforms, including Libs of TikTok with its enormous audience reach, the district can no longer rely on quiet transfers and internal fixes to escape scrutiny. Parents deserve to know why their children’s classrooms have been treated as pieces on a chessboard. Teachers deserve to understand why their concerns were ignored. And the community deserves honesty from a district that has repeatedly chosen secrecy over accountability.
Trash Media Group will continue investigating this situation as more information becomes available. Anyone with direct knowledge of the events surrounding the art department or the teacher’s reassignment is encouraged to reach out confidentially through email or phone at: [email protected] or (315) 783-6732.
This story is far from finished; and the district’s silence will not make it go away.
By Chris O’Neil
Trash Media Group | https://www.trashmediagroup.org
What began as a simple Freedom of Information request about classroom materials has uncovered a much deeper concern within the Watertown City School District — one that directly contradicts its own claims about student internet safety.
Earlier this month, Trash Media Group filed a FOIA petition seeking details about artwork shown to 7th graders in a Watertown Middle School art class. The request centered on the inclusion of controversial Keith Haring imagery — material some parents described as “highly inappropriate” for children due to its sexual themes.
When the district complied with the records request, the curriculum documents provided something unexpected: a long list of official reference links used by the art department. Among them were multiple pages from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
Curious, Trash Media Group reviewed those links — and within minutes found they led directly to unfiltered museum archives. Many of these pages feature explicit and adult-themed works, including nude studies, erotic drawings, and other mature imagery by artists such as Egon Schiele, Henri Matisse, and John Coplans.
All of this material sits just a few clicks away from a 7th grader’s Chromebook, under the district’s officially approved curriculum.
This directly contradicts the district’s repeated assurances to parents that “comprehensive content filters” prevent students from accessing inappropriate websites. Either those filters were never implemented as promised, or the district’s curriculum itself is exempt from safety protocols — a major failure of oversight in both cases.
“They told us our kids were protected by filters,” one parent said after reviewing the FOIA packet. “Then we find out the district itself handed out links that bypass every safeguard.”
While it’s true that museums like MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are legitimate educational institutions, their archives are not filtered for minors. Most professional art databases include uncensored works that require adult discretion — a nuance apparently overlooked or ignored by the district when it approved its art syllabus.
This revelation raises new questions about how much scrutiny the Watertown School District applies when approving classroom resources, especially in courses dealing with visual or modern art.
Trash Media Group has now reached out to district officials for comment regarding:
who vetted and approved the inclusion of the MoMA and similar links,
whether these resources were reviewed for age-appropriate content, and
what the district’s “content security system” actually blocks, if anything.
Until those questions are answered, the district’s assurances of digital safety and educational responsibility ring hollow. We will update when we recieve further answers.
