PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police have arrested the parents of a 2-year-old boy who shot himself by accident. That boy is now in stable condition.
Authorities say Alexandra Aponte, 31, and Saul Rosario, 34, are charged with endangering the welfare of a child, along with other related offenses after being arrested Thursday night.
According to police, the boy's family says he shot himself in the abdomen just before 10 p.m. Wednesday at a home on South Cleveland Street in the Newbold section of Philadelphia. Officials said the boy was unsupervised.
The child's parents rushed him to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
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"That 2-year-old initially was put in critical condition. We were told he had a gunshot wound to his lower stomach that exited from his back, and they immediately rushed him to surgery," Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
"Nothing vital was struck, so the child is extremely lucky."
Police say they searched the family's home and found a handgun.
"We found the crime scene, which is on the second floor, front bedroom. Next to a bed on the floor we found a semi-automatic handgun," Small said.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a statement, "While the manner in which the child was shot is still under investigation, it is already apparent that, as a community, we must do everything possible to ensure that our children are safe in their homes."
"Best thing to do," Small added, "is lock that gun away."
Editor’s update, May 23, 2023
All criminal charges against Alexandra Aponte were dropped on May 22, 2023. Meanwhile, Saul Rosario is scheduled for a trial by judge.
Editor’s update, Sept. 2, 2024
In August 2024, Rosario was sentenced to five to 10 years behind bars after being found guilty by a judge earlier this summer of possession of a firearm.