2-Year-Old Girl Shoots Self, Mother Charged With Felony Child Neglect: Police

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A 2-year-old girl from Triangle shot herself on Tuesday, according to the Prince William County Police Department. After an investigation, the girl's mother, a 22-year-old woman from Triangle, was arrested and charged with felony child neglect.

The child's received treatment at a nearby hospital, but her injuries were not considered life-threatening.

The shooting occurred in the Townsquare at Dumfries apartments in the 3900 block of Townsquare Court in Triangle.

Police decided to investigate the incident after an area hospital reported that a 2-year-old girl was being treated for gunshot wounds to her lower body at the facility. Through their investigation, authorities determined the circumstances that led to the shooting.

"The victim was asleep on a bed while her mother, identified as the accused, was cleaning the room," the Prince William County Police Departmentsaid in their report. "While the accused was cleaning, a loaded firearm was placed on the same bed as the victim."

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When the 2-year-old woke up, she began to handle the firearm, authorities said. The victim discharged a round, striking herself in the lower body.

The girl's mother and another family member began to drive the victim to a nearby hospital, according to the police report. They stopped at a fire station for assistance. At the hospital, the girl's injuries were not considered life-threatening.

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After an investigation, the victim's mother was arrested. She was charged with one count of felony child neglect and one count of allowing a child access to a firearm.

She is being held without bond at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center. Her court date is scheduled for Nov. 18.

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.

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