A Memphis mother killed a man she found hiding under her 13-year-old daughter’s bed — now she is facing murder charges, but the surveillance footage has REVEALED EVERYTHING
Memphis Mother Charged With Murder After Shooting Man Found Under Her 13-Year-Old Daughter’s Bed — New Evidence Raises Questions About What Really Happened
A shocking late-night confrontation in Memphis, Tennessee, has sparked national attention after a mother was arrested and charged with murder for shooting a 20-year-old man she allegedly discovered hiding under her 13-year-old daughter’s bed. What began as a terrifying discovery inside a family home has now become a controversial legal battle, with investigators examining the moments leading up to the deadly shooting and whether the mother’s actions were an act of protection or a crime.
The woman at the center of the case is 36-year-old Kendra Scott, who is facing charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony following the death of Rodderius Morton. Police say Morton was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of his head outside Scott’s home in Memphis during the early morning hours of July 16.
According to investigators, officers responded to a shooting call at a residence on Travis Road around 1:45 a.m. When they arrived, they discovered Morton lying near the front yard and porch area. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The investigation quickly focused on Scott, who was still at the home when police arrived.
Authorities say Scott told officers that she had returned home and discovered a man under her child’s bed. According to court documents, she allegedly told police: “I saw a dude under my kid’s bed, and I did what I had to do.” That statement immediately became one of the key pieces of evidence in the case.
The situation reportedly began earlier that night when Scott’s teenage daughter invited Morton into the home without her mother’s knowledge. Investigators said the girl told police that Morton entered through the back door around 1 a.m. The teenager allegedly became frightened when her mother arrived home and began banging on the front door, demanding to know who was inside.
According to the affidavit, Scott’s daughter told investigators that her mother had previously warned her that if she ever found a boy inside the house, she would react violently. The girl allegedly said she was afraid when she saw her mother carrying a gun during the confrontation.
When Scott entered the home, police say Morton was hiding underneath the girl’s bed. The discovery immediately turned the situation into a confrontation. Investigators say Morton eventually left the bedroom and moved toward the front porch, where an argument reportedly took place between him and Scott.
Moments later, a single gunshot was heard.
A neighbor who was awakened by the noise told police that he went outside and saw Morton injured near the porch area. The neighbor also allegedly saw Scott standing nearby holding a firearm and heard her say, “I shot him.”
The case has created a heated debate across the country. Many people have expressed sympathy for Scott, arguing that any parent would be horrified to discover an adult man hiding in their young daughter’s bedroom. Supporters say her actions came from fear, anger, and a desire to protect her child.
However, prosecutors are expected to focus on the moments after Morton was discovered. The central legal question is whether Scott’s actions were justified under Tennessee law or whether she used deadly force after the immediate threat had ended. Legal experts have pointed out that self-defense laws generally require an imminent threat of serious harm, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting will likely become a major issue during court proceedings.
Scott’s attorney has described the situation as a parent’s worst nightmare, arguing that the emotional circumstances surrounding the discovery must be considered. The defense is expected to argue that Scott was reacting to an extremely traumatic situation involving her child.
Meanwhile, investigators continue to examine all available evidence, including witness statements, forensic findings, and any available surveillance footage from the area. While reports have suggested that video evidence may help clarify the timeline of events, authorities have not publicly released any footage or confirmed that surveillance recordings show the entire confrontation.
The case has raised difficult questions about parental protection, teenage safety, and the limits of justified force. On one side, many see Scott as a mother who believed she was defending her child from danger. On the other side, prosecutors argue that even emotionally charged situations must still follow the law.
As the legal process moves forward, the courtroom will likely focus on one critical question: Was Kendra Scott a mother acting out of fear to protect her daughter, or did she cross the line when she pulled the trigger?
For now, Scott remains in custody as she awaits further court proceedings, while the Memphis community continues to debate a case that has divided public opinion and captured national attention.