Detroit Mom Charged After 3-Year-Old Son Shoots Himself With Unsecured Gun: Police

DETROIT — A Detroit mom is facing charges under Michigan's safe storage laws after her 3-year-old son shot himself in the head last Friday, according to police.

The 3-year-old boy was taken to a nearby hospital where he was listed in critical condition, according to police.

Tiara Shardae Taylor was charged with firearms – safe storage violations – premises under individual’s control – minor present and injured self or another.

She was placed in jail and given a $250,000 bond. Her next court date is scheduled for Sept. 17.

If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison.

Officers found the boy suffering from a gunshot wound to the head inside a home on the 11400 block of Saint Patrick Street in Detroit at 4 p.m. on Friday, according to police.

Investigators said the boy grabbed an unsecured handgun inside the home and shot himself in the head.

"This is another case that illustrates the tragic consequences of failure to secure a weapon. Children shooting themselves is completely avoidable if people will secure their weapons," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said.

Under Michigan's new safety storage laws, a gun owner must lock away their firearms if there is a minor in the house. If a child gets ahold of a firearm that wasn't properly secured and uses the gun, the owner can face multiple penalties, including:

• A misdemeanor with a maximum 93-day jail sentence and $500 fine if a child accesses a gun and either possesses or displays it in a public place, or possesses or displays it in front of another person in a “careless, reckless or threatening” way.
• A felony with a maximum five-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine if a child fires the gun and injures themselves or someone else.
• A felony with up to 10 years in prison and up to $7,500 fine if a child seriously injures themselves or someone else.
• A felony with up to 15 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine if the child kills themselves or someone else.