Toddler Left Alone With Gun Shoots Himself In Hand

CARTERSVILLE, GA — A three-year-old boy is recovering after police say he shot himself inside a vehicle over the weekend in Cartersville. Police were dispatched around 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4 to the incident at a home on Herring Street.

Cartersville police spokesperson Lt. Mike Bettikofer said the child as well as four other juveniles were left alone inside a vehicle with access to a loaded firearm when the shooting occurred (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here).

The boy was transported to an area hospital where he was treated for a "self-inflicted, non-life-threatening injury to his hand," Bettikofer said.

No other injuries were reported. Bettikofer added the child's mother, Vesherica Gainor of Cartersville, was later arrested on charges unrelated to the shooting. Bartow County Jail records show Gainor was booked into the facility on one count of possession of marijuana less than an ounce. She was released late Monday morning after posting bond.

The investigation into the incident remains active. Return to Patch for updates.

Image via Bartow County Jail