Putting a gun within the reach of preschoolers is a recipe for disaster, as a Cordova family discovered Saturday when a little girl was shot in the foot.
Charles Sanders, 25, allegedly left a loaded weapon under his living room couch, where the four-year-old victim and her two-year-old brother found it. Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the accidental shooting at the home on the 1500 block of Bridgewater Road.
The 4-year-old victim in this case was taken to LeBonheur in stable condition and treated for her injuries.
Sanders had two charges:
- Reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon (a Class E felony, punishable by one to six years in prison and a fine up to $3,000 unless otherwise provided by statute)
- Child abuse and neglect (a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,500 or both unless otherwise provided by statute).
He was booked Saturday night about 6 p.m. and released on $50,000 bond on Sunday.
His court date is Sept. 17.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office issued a reminder on the importance of storing weapons and other potentially dangerous items safely, securely and out of the reach of children.
