A 2-year-old Mississippi toddler suffered facial injuries after her mother's gun accidentally went off from her purse. Ironically, they were at the ER of Merit Health Central Hospital at the time of the incident.
According to Time, the bullet from the gun grazed the face of the toddler. It went off right at the moment that the purse fell on the floor as mother and daughter were trying to get something from the vending machine.
Bullet ricocheted
A hospital representative said that the bullet didn't hit the girl directly, but it ricocheted on the vending machine. That was when it hit the poor child.
Fearing to be regarded as an indifferent hospital, the representative quickly issued a statement saying that it was an isolated incident and that it was addressed quickly. They were able to prevent serious harm from befalling the toddler and that further risk to others was also addressed.
Non-life threatening injury
Although non-life threatening, the incident still left the parents of the toddler shaking. Had the gun been positioned differently or had the bullet's direction been skewed, it might have cost the toddler his life.
According to Clarion Ledger, weapons are prohibited at Merit Health Central Hospital's premises. They don't allow bringing of weapons to ensure safety of patients, visitors and hospital employees.
Investigation under way
Since it was unclear how the toddler's mother brought a loaded weapon inside hospital grounds, an investigation is still on the way. The names of the mother and the toddler were withheld for security and privacy purposes.
A similar incident involving a gun and a toddler also transpired in January. Nola reported that a 3-year-old toddler was killed when a gun under a pillow accidentally went off at night.
With the rising number of incidents involving loaded weapons and toddlers, it has become the duty of adults to ensure the safety of their children. When there are guns in the area, prudence in handling and keeping it is a must.
What do you think about this issue? Should the mother be in possession of a gun whilst with her toddler in the first place? Sound off in the comments below!
