Detroit mother charged after 3-year-old shoots self in head with unsecured gun
Tiara Shardae Taylor
DETROIT (FOX 2) - A mother is charged with violating Michigan's safe storage gun law after her 3-year-old son shot himself with a gun he found in her Detroit home last week.
Tiara Shardae Taylor, 38, is facing a felony charge of violating the safe storage law resulting in injury after the Friday shooting. Police said the boy found the unsecured firearm on a dresser and shot himself in the head around 4 p.m. in the 11400 block of Saint Patrick.
Detroit Police Chief James White said there was a lockbox in the home, but the gun was not in the box.
"This is another case that illustrates the tragic consequences of failure to secure a weapon. Children shooting themselves is completely avoidable if people will secure their weapons," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Mother, stepfather charged after boy shoots self with unsecured gun in Madison Heights
A mother and stepfather are both facing charges after a 9-year-old Madison Heights boy shot himself with an unsecured gun on Friday.
Taylor was given a $250,000 personal bond and is due back in court Sept. 17.
Under the safe storage law, a gun owner could be subject to a misdemeanor charge, which could entail penalties of up to $500 and a maximum of 93 days in jail. However, if the child inflicts harm upon themselves or others using the firearm, the owner can face a felony charge, fines of up to $10,000, and a prison sentence up to 15 years – particularly if the incident results in a fatality.
Since her child was hurt, Taylor was charged with a felony.