5-Month-Old Baby Injured When Shot By 3-Year-Old Sibling In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — The 25-year-old mother of a 5-month-old baby and 3-year-old toddler has been arrested after the 3-year-old found a gun in the home and shot the baby.

The baby was shot in the hip, and the injuries aren't believed to be life-threatening.

According to the Tampa Police Department, the shooting took place shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday at a home in the 8300 block of 17th St.

Police said Paula Marie Concepcion Santos said she was home with the 3-year-old and 5-month-old when the 3-year-old found a gun and fired it. Detectives are still investigating to determine how the shooting occurred.

The baby was taken to Tampa General Hospital.

Concepcion Santos was arrested and charged with child neglect with great bodily harm.

"While we're incredibly thankful this infant was not fatally injured, this should serve as a reminder to every parent or guardian to immediately go and check that their guns are properly secured," said Police Chief Mary O'Connor."Children should not be able to access firearms, and moreover, guns should always be stored in a locked safe with the ammo stored separately. Don't put the life of a child at risk by being careless."

To better educate children on gun safety, Tampa police partnered with More Health Inc.last year to produce a video on firearm safety.