A toddler from Warren remains hospitalized today after he shot himself in the stomach while being babysat, according to police.
Warren police said the shooting took place about 6 p.m. Saturday at a house on Edgemont Street, in the area of Stephens and Hoover roads. Police and fire units were dispatched to respond to reports that a 2-year-old boy had sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
“The child was quickly rushed to an area hospital by the Warren Fire Department, with several Warren police officers blocking intersections along the way,” police said in a news release.
As of Saturday night, the child was reported to be hospitalized in stable condition. Police said at last check, the boy was responsive and alert.
According to the release, a 42-year-old woman who lives at the Edgemont address was babysitting and had a pair of handguns at the house. She is a CPL holder, police said.
“While babysitting, it is believed that the babysitter left the handguns unsecured in an area accessible to the child,” investigators said in the release.
The boy was able to gain access to one of the weapons and apparently shot himself in the stomach, authorities said.
Investigators will be examining the details surrounding the safe and secure storage of the handgun as part of their investigation. As of this point in the investigation, it does not appear that more serious foul play was involved, the release stated.
Police said the child’s mother returned to the house and was at the hospital with her child.
This is an active investigation with detectives and evidence technicians still on the scene Saturday night.
Warren Mayor Lori Stone and the Warren Police Department will provide an additional update at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
Anyone with additional information on the shooting is asking to contact Detective Anthony Rudin at 586-574-4782.