Girl, 2, Accidentally Shot; Grayslake Teen Faces Charges: Authorities

GRAYSLAKE, IL — A 19-year-old Grayslake man faces charges after a 2-year-old child was accidentally shot at a home in Vernon Hills Friday, authorities said.

Authorities were called to the home in the 300 block of Plumwood Lane in Vernon Hills at about 2:15 p.m. for a report of a child who'd been injured by fireworks, according to a news release from the Vernon Hills Police Department. Police determined the 2-year-old girl had been shot.

Police said the girl and her two brothers, ages 3 and 6 years old, were being babysat by their 17-year-old aunt and her 19-year-old boyfriend at the time of the incident, which is believed to be unintentional.

The girl was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and then flown to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago for injuries that are considered serious but not life-threatening, according to the news release. She remains hospitalized, authorities said.

Her aunt's boyfriend, Joseph Hatchett, 19, of Grayslake, has been charged with reckless conduct and endangering the life of a child in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, the girl's siblings have been removed from their home pending further investigation by the Department of Children and Family Services, authorities said.

The incident, which happened on National Gun Awareness Day, is a "jarring reminder" as to why "all gun owners must store their firearms in a safe and responsible manner," said Vernon Hills Police Department Chief Patrick Kreis.

"I encourage all members of the community to discuss gun safety with their children and all gun owners to re-commit themselves to the highest standards of safety," Kreis said.