In Homestead, Florida, a 3-year-old boy is recovering in stable condition after accidentally shooting himself in the foot with a gun owned by his mother, a Miami school police officer. According to authorities, the incident occurred while the mother was preparing food at home.

Mother Charged with Child Neglect

Upon receiving reports of the self-inflicted gunshot wound, Homestead police officers launched an investigation and discovered that the boy had found his mother’s gun and unintentionally shot himself in the left foot. Despite being initially treated at a local hospital, he was later airlifted to a regional hospital for further medical attention. In light of the circumstances, the mother was arrested and charged with child neglect causing great bodily harm.

Safety Concerns and Police Response

During a search of the mother’s residence, detectives found evidence of unsafe firearm storage, including a recently discharged gun and the officer’s service radio left unsecured on the kitchen counter. The absence of a secure gun case or holster raised concerns about accessibility to firearms within the home. The Homestead Police Department emphasized the importance of securely storing firearms and educating families about gun safety to prevent similar incidents in the future.

School District Response

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where the mother serves as a police officer, acknowledged the incident and took action by suspending her pending the outcome of the investigation. The district expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety of students and the community, emphasizing that the incident was unrelated to school activities. The mother, currently in custody at Miami-Dade Corrections, awaits further legal proceedings without a set bond.