Florida Woman Mindy Osteen, 34, Charged in Death of 37-Year-Old Christopher Jones, the Father of Her Two Kids – Details

A Florida mother is facing murder charges after a deadly shooting at a Bradford County daycare left the father of her two children dead in front of multiple witnesses, including their kids.

Mindy Osteen, 34, was arrested and booked into the Bradford County Jail in Florida after shooting and killing Christopher Travis Jones, 37, the father of her two children, at a local daycare.

Witnesses said Osteen approached Jones on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Auntie Lili's Daycare after he picked up their children. As Jones left the building with the kids, Osteen walked up to them carrying a backpack and hugged their two boys.

Once they pulled away from the hug, Jones placed the children in the back of his car before getting into the driver's seat. As he prepared to leave, Osteen reportedly pulled a gun from her bag and fired three shots into the vehicle. She then stepped back before firing two more shots at Jones.

Despite his injuries, Jones managed to get out of the vehicle and attempted to run. Osteen fired another shot as he fled.

The injured Jones ran back into the daycare seeking shelter, but was unable to get through the second security door. At this point, Jones had been screaming for help.

Osteen's gun malfunctioned, and she tried to clear it before heading inside to where Jones was trapped.

She then fired three shots at Jones. By the third shot, Jones had stopped screaming. After firing, Osteen stepped outside to clear the weapon again after another malfunction.

Jones could be heard moaning in pain. Authorities say witnesses heard her shout, "Please, let the monster die." She then reportedly approached Jones again, claiming he had to die so that he couldn't kill their children. Jones continued to plead for help before responding, "I'm not killing nobody."

After their short conversation, Osteen walked back out. With all his strength, Jones pushed the door closed behind her, blood covering his face and chest.

When Bradford County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, Jones identified Osteen as the shooter. Upon their approach, Osteen, who had been pacing outside the daycare property, reportedly told deputies, "I'm right here, y'all. I done it in self-defense. [sic]"

Deputies and paramedics immediately began lifesaving measures. Jones was transported to a local hospital, but he did not survive. He was pronounced dead at 7:03 p.m. local time.

In addition to Osteen and Jones' two children in the vehicle, six other children and two employees were inside the daycare at the time of the shooting.

Following his death, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover funeral expenses and support his two sons. The page described Jones as a hardworking father to two sons "who were his entire world."

"Chris's journey was one of redemption, love, and unwavering devotion to his children. He worked hard every day to provide for them, to be present, and to become the kind of man they could always look up to. His transformation was a testament to the power of love — and his boys were the reason behind it all, [sic]" the fundraiser read.

Jones' sister, Melanie Russo, also paid tribute to him on Facebook, starting her post with, "Men can be victims too." Russo said her brother had sought mental health support for Osteen and believed she could overcome her struggles.

However, his efforts were in vain, and it cost him his life. "What most people didn't see was the abuse he endured behind closed doors — the emotional manipulation, the physical violence, the stalking, the threats. He reported it. He tried to get help. But because he was a man, his cries were unheard," she wrote.

Russo alleged that Jones was a victim of domestic abuse. She revealed that he endured "years of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse" at the hands of Osteen.

Following the tragic incident, Osteen and Jones' two sons, Titus and Max, are left without a father and a mother. The suspect was charged with premeditated first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated child abuse, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and grand theft of a firearm.