A southern Ohio woman is facing a child endangerment charge after her toddler found a gun in her purse and accidentally fired it in a Walmart store. The Waverly Police Department said the woman told officers that the 2-year-old boy took her Taurus 9mm firearm from her purse, and it went off at about 11 a.m. Thursday, reports the Associated Press. Police said the bullet went into the ceiling of the store, and the child had a minor injury to his forehead “due to contact with the magazine.”
Police said the woman was taken into custody and charged in Pike County Court with endangering children. The boy was released to the care of a guardian and taken to an urgent care facility. Waverly police said on Facebook that such incidents “underscore the need for heightened awareness and safety measures” and the department “emphasizes the importance of responsible firearm ownership and storage, especially those with children.”