2 Year old dies after shot by 4 yr old brother www.privateofficer.com
Las Vegas NV July 30 2009
Police say a 2-year-old girl who was shot by her 4-year-old brother has died of her injuries.
The Clark County Coroner’s office says 2-year-old Elizabeth Zeferina Serrano died Sunday at University Medical Center.
Las Vegas police say the girl was taken to a hospital before police were called about 8:30 p.m. Thursday to a house west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Police say the 4-year-old boy was handling a loaded 9mm handgun when it fired, striking the girl in the torso. Investigators say the father was home at the time, but the weapon was not properly secured. No charges have been filed.
Also, no charges have been filed against the father of 5-year-old Giovanni Kopystenski. This child shot accidentally shot himself in the head after finding a loaded gun in his father’s vehicle.
District Attorney David Roger says there are laws in place to deal with these situations but the real issue is public awareness.
“Rational people understand if you leave firearm unsecured in a household with children, with teens, bad things can happen. Why roll the dice with a child’s life. Secure the firearm period,” Roger said.
There are no specific laws that address children and guns and the proper safety protocols. These cases fall under child abuse and neglect statutes which also apply to child drownings and leaving a child unattended in a car. The law states that if a parent intentionally places his child in harms way, that parent may be charged with abuse or neglect. The use of the word intentional makes it difficult to prosecute.
Roger does cites two cases and examples where parents were parents were charged.
“We had cases several years ago where one family kept their firearm in the dryer another family kept their gun on top of the refrigerator and the kids got a hold of it and killed another child. We charged those parents with crimes.
These shootings undergo a two-step process. First, police investigate. Second, they present the facts and make a recommendation to the District Attorney. It is up to the DA to decide whether to prosecute.
Parents found guilty of a criminal act can be sentenced up to 20 years in prison.
Police say a 2-year-old girl who was shot by her 4-year-old brother has died of her injuries.
The Clark County Coroner’s office says 2-year-old Elizabeth Zeferina Serrano died Sunday at University Medical Center.
Las Vegas police say the girl was taken to a hospital before police were called about 8:30 p.m. Thursday to a house west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Police say the 4-year-old boy was handling a loaded 9mm handgun when it fired, striking the girl in the torso. Investigators say the father was home at the time, but the weapon was not properly secured. No charges have been filed.
Also, no charges have been filed against the father of 5-year-old Giovanni Kopystenski. This child shot accidentally shot himself in the head after finding a loaded gun in his father’s vehicle.
District Attorney David Roger says there are laws in place to deal with these situations but the real issue is public awareness.
“Rational people understand if you leave firearm unsecured in a household with children, with teens, bad things can happen. Why roll the dice with a child’s life. Secure the firearm period,” Roger said.
There are no specific laws that address children and guns and the proper safety protocols. These cases fall under child abuse and neglect statutes which also apply to child drownings and leaving a child unattended in a car. The law states that if a parent intentionally places his child in harms way, that parent may be charged with abuse or neglect. The use of the word intentional makes it difficult to prosecute.
Roger does cites two cases and examples where parents were parents were charged.
“We had cases several years ago where one family kept their firearm in the dryer another family kept their gun on top of the refrigerator and the kids got a hold of it and killed another child. We charged those parents with crimes.
These shootings undergo a two-step process. First, police investigate. Second, they present the facts and make a recommendation to the District Attorney. It is up to the DA to decide whether to prosecute.
Parents found guilty of a criminal act can be sentenced up to 20 years in prison.
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