A woman has been arrested and charged after a 9-year-old boy brought a loaded gun to a Chicago-area school on Tuesday, local authorities shared.
The DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin shared a news release on the incident, noting that the Carol Stream police were notified of the incident on Tuesday.
Police went to search the child’s backpack, where they found a .40 caliber Taurus with one bullet in the magazine.
After discovering the weapon, police arrested Betty Hughes, 27. She was charged with unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Carol Stream Police Chief Donald Cummings shared a statement on the incident, praising the work of officers in finding the firearm before anything happened.
“We have all seen the horrific images of what could happen when a firearm is illegally brought into a school,” Cummings said in a statement. “We are thankful that the firearm was located and seized before anything tragic could have unfolded.”
No one was injured in the incident.
Hughes is a convicted felon and was illegally in possession of the gun, according to DuPage County prosecutors.
“As a convicted felon, Ms. Hughes is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm,” Berlin said. “To make matters worse, the allegation that a minor was able to gain control of her illegally possessed handgun and bring it to school is extremely alarming.”
Hughes will appear in court on March 18 for arraignment.