(WWJ) A Roseville woman has been arraigned on a negligence charge after a Detroit toddler picked up her unsecured gun and shot himself.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced that 30-year-old Janette Smith was arraigned in 36th District Court on Monday on one count of careless, reckless or negligent use of a firearm, which is a misdemeanor charge.
Prosecutors said Smith went to a home on on Lafayette near Chene, near downtown Detroit, Friday afternoon to visit the 3-year-old boy’s mother and pick up some food that had been prepared for her.
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Smith had the handgun in her coat pocket, according to prosecutors, which she hung on a chair in the living room.
Detroit police said Smith and the toddler's mom had been out of the room for just a couple of minutes when the child found the gun in Smith's coat and shot himself in the head.
On Monday, the boy remained in the hospital receiving treatment, according to prosecutors. Immediately after the shooting, he was in critical condition. His condition at this time has not been released.
While police noted that Smith is a CPL holder, authorities stress that it is every gun owner's responsibility to keep their guns secured.
“It is getting very difficult to come up with new ways to say the same thing over and over again. If you own a gun and you know young children will be in your orbit, secure it so that there will be no access,” said Worthy, in a statement. “If you are traveling with a gun, follow the law while doing so, and by all means make sure that children cannot get to it. Secure your gun and save young lives from death, serious injury or harm of any kind.”
Bond for Smith was set at $10,000/10% bond. She will be back in court for a probable cause conference scheduled for next Monday, followed by a preliminary exam on Jan. 31.
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