A police officer in the US is facing jail after their toddler pulled a loaded handgun out of a backpack at a nursery. The incident occurred on Monday at Childrens World Early Learning Center in Canton, Detroit.
A quick-thinking staff member saw the child remove the weapon from a rucksack and disarmed them before anyone was injured. Canton Police Chief Joseph Bialy described the CCTV footage of the toddler brandishing the gun as 'shocking'.
Officer parent and legal implications
Chief Bialy said one of the child's parents is a police officer in the Detroit area but did not describe the gun involved as a work firearm. He said he did not believe there was any 'ill intent' behind the incident but stressed the need to ensure guns are kept safe and out of children's reach.
'We have to understand where our firearms are, and we have a duty to make sure that we keep them secure,' Chief Bialy said. 'The law is very clear. If a child is present or you anticipate a child being present, you have to take those precautions.'
Michigan law and penalties
Under Michigan law, firearms must be locked up at home when children are present. The penalties depend on the facts of each case, but they are greatly enhanced if a gun is fired and someone is wounded or killed.
The daycare said in a statement: 'We pride ourselves on being one of the safest centers in the Canton area. It is our priority. Although this incident was out of our control, we are very proud of our staff and especially the teacher who responded so quickly.'
A man from Newaygo County is serving more than three years in prison after his 5-year-old grandson was fatally shot by another child who got access to a shotgun.
