A mother has been sentenced to prison after her 3-year-old son accidentally shot himself with a firearm belonging to the man she was sharing a bed with.
The incident occurred when young Cartier Smith entered the bedroom where his mother, Carley Dials, 29, was sleeping next to Sean Perrin, 31, and came across the unsecured handgun left within reach.
Authorities responded to the family residence in Ohio, USA, after receiving a report of a child with a gunshot wound. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Cartier tragically passed away within an hour, as reported by ABC6.
Police investigations revealed that Smith gained access to the unsecured firearm in the home and unintentionally shot himself. It was determined that the gun was within his reach due to the actions of Carley Dials.
According to a police complaint, the boy obtained the handgun belonging to Sean Perrin, 31. Reportedly, his mother moved the gun from the bedroom floor to a spot between the mattress and the wall before retiring for the night with Perrin, as highlighted by the Columbus Dispatch.
At some point, Cartier found the gun in the room and accidentally shot himself, law enforcement officials stated. Perrin is facing charges related to weapons possession, as indicated by ABC6.
Carley Dials has been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with her son’s tragic death. She is currently detained at the Franklin County jail with a bond set at $50,000, according to local media reports.
