Madison Heights parents face up to 10-years in prison, charged under safe storage law after son shoots himself

MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) -- An Oakland County couple has been charged under Michigan's new safe storage laws after their young son shot himself with an unsecured gun.

According to Madison Heights Police, the boy's stepfather, 27-year-old Jacob Gean, and 25-year-old mother Jessie Gean, were charged with one count each of Firearms-Safe Storage Violation -minor present and inflicted serious impairment of a body function upon self or another, which is a 10-year felony.

Investigators said a 9-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the hand with an unsecured handgun while inside a home in the 30000 block of Palmer, near 12 Mile Rd. in Madison Heights.

The boy was taken to a local hospital in stable condition, police said, following the incident last Friday.

Police said the parents were arraigned in 43rd District Court on Sunday and were each given a $50,000 personal bond.

In a news release, Madison Heights Lt. David Koehler said, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the 9-year-old victim."

As a reminder, free gun locks are available at the Madison Heights Police Department, at police precedents in Detroit, and at and many other local departments across the Metro Detroit area.

Anyone with additional information about this case can call Lt. Koehler at 248-837-2732, or the Madison Heights PD at 248-585-2100.