Mother Turns Herself In After Her Son Shot Himself In Manassas: Police

MANASSAS, VA — A woman from Manassas turned herself into police on Monday after she was accused of neglecting her son, who shot himself in the hand last month, police said.

The 2-year-old boy's gunshot wound was not life-threatening, authorities said.

Police identified the woman as 39-year-old Christalle Phillips Moat. She is charged with one count of felony child neglect. If convicted, Moat could face up to 10 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

The shooting occurred around 2 p.m. on Oct. 26 at a home in the 7600 block of Monitor Court in Manassas. The boy was left unattended, found an unsecured firearm in the home, and shot himself in the hand, according to the police report.

Moat and other family members took the boy to a hospital, where police investigators and child protective services were contacted. Authorities obtained warrants for Moat on Nov. 8, though they were unable to find her until she turned herself in.

The CDC hosts an array of resources to prevent child neglect, and to help victims who had adverse childhood experiences. More information is available on their website.