A 3-year-old boy in Florida was hospitalized after accidentally shooting himself in the foot with a gun he found at home. The gun belonged to his mother, Stephanie Jerez, who is a Miami-Dade County school police officer. The incident occurred while the mother was preparing food, and the child was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Jerez was arrested and charged with child neglect with great bodily harm by Homestead police. The weapon used was the mother’s personal firearm, not her service weapon.
Following the incident, the Homestead Police Department emphasized the importance of gun safety and urged all gun owners to securely store their firearms and educate their families about gun safety. Jerez was relieved of her duties pending the outcome of the investigation, according to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. She appeared in court where her bond was set at $5,000, and she was prohibited from using, purchasing, or possessing firearms or ammunition unless it was work-related. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for responsible gun ownership and the dangers of leaving firearms within reach of children.
The case highlights the serious consequences of child endangerment and the importance of safe firearm storage. It is crucial for gun owners to take precautions to prevent children from accessing guns and potentially harming themselves or others. Incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that guns can pose in the home, especially when they are not properly secured. The incident involving the young child in Florida underscores the need for gun owners to be vigilant in ensuring that their firearms are securely stored and inaccessible to children.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of children in households where firearms are present. It is essential for gun owners to take responsibility for the safe storage of their weapons to prevent tragic accidents like the one that occurred in Homestead. The arrest of Jerez and the subsequent charges underscore the seriousness of the situation and the legal implications of failing to properly secure firearms in a household with children. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for gun owners everywhere to prioritize safety and take adequate measures to prevent unauthorized access to firearms.
In response to the incident, the Homestead Police Department is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children in the community. The department is urging gun owners to practice firearm safety and securely store their weapons to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of negligence when it comes to gun ownership and the importance of taking proactive steps to prevent accidents involving firearms. Ultimately, the incident underscores the need for greater awareness and responsibility among gun owners to prevent tragedies involving children and firearms.
