CANTON (WWJ) -- The mother and father of a 3-year-old boy found with a loaded gun at a Canton daycare center are facing charges, accused of improperly storing the weapon.
Wayne County residents Rabab Ibrahim Al Zayad, 27, and Brandon John Ely, 28, were arraigned via video Thursday morning, in 35th District Court.
A mugshot is available for Al Zayad only. Officials said Ely turned himself in directly to the court.
No children were injured, but the incident caused a panic when the handgun was discovered in the hands of a child on Monday.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, just before 9 a.m. on Sept. 28, Canton police officers responded to the Children's World Early Learning Center on Sheldon Rd. on reports that a child was in possession of a holstered handgun.
It's alleged that the defendants’ 3-year-old son found an unsecured firearm in a backpack which had been stored in the classroom. The firearm was then passed to other children, prosecutors said.
That's when a teacher saw the gun, immediately intervened, and removed it from the children, prosecutors said.
Thankfully, no shots were fired.
The WCSO said Rabab Ibrahim Al Zayad is charged with one count of Unsafe Storage, a 93-day misdemeanor.
Brandon John Ely is charged with one count of Fourth Degree Child Abuse, a one-year misdemeanor.
Their next scheduled court date in this case is a pre-trial conference on Oct. 30 at 9 a.m.
“These are the charges that we will be able prove in court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. It is very unsettling to think about what may have happened in this case. We are thankful that there was no loss of life at this daycare center,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy, in a statement.
Officials noted that one of the toddler's parents worked as a police officer in Metro Detroit, but said the handgun involved was not a department-issued firearm.
Both defendants received a $10,000 personal bond.
“While this incident was unintentional, the responsibility for the safe and secure storage of firearms rests unequivocally with the firearm owner. Fortunately, this incident concluded without physical injury; however, it was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for all parties involved," said Joseph Bialy, Director of Police Services.
"This incident serves as an important reminder of the serious consequences that can result from an unsecured firearm and underscores the critical importance of responsible firearm storage and safety.”
Bialy noted that the Canton Police Department does offer gun safety locks for free. Additional firearm safety information available at www.cantonmi.gov/329 including a link to various locations around that state that provide free gun safety locks.
