This week, a Michigan dad was charged with child abuse after his 8-year-old son allegedly discovered his unsecured gun in their house and shot himself in the head.
Kayvon Barrett waited 10 minutes after the shooting at his Detroit home, state 36th District Court Magistrate Malaika Ramsey-Heath said in court Friday.
“Calls to 911 were delayed by 10 minutes,” Ramsey-Heath said, according to FOX 2 Detroit. “The adults around were more concerned with their own problems.”
A prosecutor said the boy’s mother urged Barrett, “You need to call 911, or I’m going to call 911,” FOX 2 reported.
“I honestly blame everyone in this house for not being more observant of weapons that could hurt children,” the prosecutor added.
Barrett was charged with four charges of child abuse in the second degree.
Since the gunshot on Tuesday, the kid has undergone surgery and is still in serious condition.
Ramsey-Heath stated that Child Protective Services has visited Barrett several times in the last five years.
“There were findings of physical neglect and physical abuse,” she said despite Barrett not having any convictions. “The argument this resulted from neglect doesn’t make me real comfortable he’s not a danger to the children.”
Prosecutors claim that other children were present in the residence at the time of the incident.
Barrett’s attorney stated that more research is required and that he believes more than one adult had a pistol in the residence at the time of the shooting.
His bond has been set at $100,000, and if he is released, he will be compelled to wear an ankle monitor and will be prohibited from having contact with children.
