A 2.5-year-old boy in Warren, Michigan, is now recovering after he accidentally shot himself with his babysitter's unsecured handgun. The incident, which occurred at a residence on the 11000 block of Edgemont Street, has led to serious charges against the babysitter, 42-year-old April Faith Green. According to FOX 2 Detroit, Green was arraigned on charges including child abuse, firearm safe storage violation, and two counts of felony firearm, following the incident that took place early Saturday evening.
Warren police state that the child managed to quickly access one of two handguns left unsecured by Green, who is a licensed CPL holder. The ordeal resulted in the child shooting himself in the stomach. Despite the heartbreaking event, the child is in stable condition and is expected to fully recover. As mentioned by Detroit Free Press, Green faces multiple charges and was given a $75,000 cash/surety bond. Under the terms of her bond, she is to wear a GPS tether and is prohibited to any contact with individuals under age 17.
The incident highlights the dangers of negligent firearm storage, especially with children present. A new Michigan law that went into effect in February holds gun owners criminally accountable if a child gains access to an unsecured firearm and causes injury. In a statement obtained by Hoodline, Warren Police Sgt. Jim Twardesky expressed his frustrations, saying, "A child shot because of laziness ... basic adult decisions to secure a firearm would have prevented this."
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido referred to the shooting as "a direct result of neglectful behavior" and voiced his commitment to seek justice while aiming to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The prosecutor's stance is echoed by local law enforcement and city officials, who stressed the importance of responsible gun ownership and safe storage. The Warren Police Department, in an act of proactive response, offers free gun locks for citizens to pick up in the police department's lobby, as reported by Detroit Free Press. April Faith Green is expected to make her next court appearance on August 13.
