A two-year-old boy accidentally shot his father to death in the state of Florida (USA), after finding the firearm in his house on May 26. The tragedy took place while his father, 26-year-old Reggie Mabry, was playing video games and was shot in the back by his middle son, according to an Orange County Sheriff's Office affidavit.
His mother, a convicted criminal like the deceased, was charged Monday with criminal charges for what happened, US media confirm. The Orange County Sheriff's Office in central Florida reported that 28-year-old Marie Ayala was arrested on charges including culpable negligence manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, among others. .
The events were reported to the police by another of the couple's children, a five-year-old boy, who was in the house along with another brother, a five-month-old baby. None of them were injured, according to local police.
Ayala has told investigators that the couple and their three children were in the bedroom when the boy shot his father.
Florida law requires that a loaded firearm in the home be kept in a locked box or secured with a lock if a child under the age of 16 can access it.
"The gun was not properly guarded and, in fact, easily accessible even to a two-year-old, and the result is a tragedy in this community that no one can understand," said Orange County Sheriff John Mina. at a press conference on Monday.
Mina said both parents were on probation for child neglect and narcotics-related charges. Now, the mother could face up to 15 years in prison if she is convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
"The children were not physically injured, but they will likely carry emotional wounds forever. Not only have they effectively lost both parents, but the child who accidentally shot his father in the back will have to grow up knowing that his actions caused the death of his father." father. If you have a gun, always be responsible," the Police Department said in a statement.
