Parents Charged in Non-Fatal Shooting of Son, 10

Redford Township, MI – The parents of a 10-year-old who accidentally shot himself after finding his mother’s handgun Tuesday are facing child abuse and felony firearm charges in an incident Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said was “preventable.

David Jaron Cleveland Sr.  and LaTonya Renee Cleveland, both 29, are expected to be arraigned on a count each of second-degree child abuse and felony firearm at 10 a.m. Thursday in Redford’s 17th District Court, Worthy said in a statement.

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The boy’s father was out of the living room of the family’s home on the 15000 block of Winston about 5:14 p.m. Tuesday when he found the unsecured handgun and accidentally shot himself in the hand. He was treated at a local hospital and has survived his injury.

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“We all must come together on this issue of children getting access to unsecured, loaded guns,” Worthy said. “It is our job to try at every bend and turn to save children from themselves. Literally.”

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