Detroit mom charged under Michigan's safe storage law after 3-year-old son picks up her gun, shooting himself in the head

DETROIT (WWJ) -- A Detroit woman is facing a felony charge after it's alleged she left her handgun sitting around, and her child picked it up and shot himself.

The 3-year-old victim did survive the incident last Friday , at a home in the 11400 block of Saint Patrick St., Conner and Gratiot on Detroit's east side.

According to investigators, 38-year-old Tiara Shardae Taylor arrived home from work and put her gun down on a dresser. Within minutes, just before 4 p.m., the victim found the gun and shot himself in the head.

Detroit Police Chief James White said officers quickly arrived on the scene , and rushed the boy to a nearby hospital. White said the boy was in critical condition, but had suffered a graze wound and was expected to recover.

Police said there were a total of eight people inside the home at the time of the shooting, including five kids, but no one else was hurt.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office has charged Taylor with one count of Firearms – Safe Storage Violations – Premises Under Individual’s Control – Minor Present and Injured Self or Another, which is a five-year felony.

She was arraigned in 36th District Court on Sunday and was given a $250,000 personal bond.

There was a lockbox in the house, according to White, but the gun wasn't in it.

“This is another case that illustrates the tragic consequences of failure to secure a weapon," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy, in a statement. "Children shooting themselves is completely avoidable if people will secure their weapons."

Taylor will be back in court for Probable Cause Conference scheduled for Sept. 17, followed by a Preliminary Examination set for Sept. 24.