A Michigan mother received a sentence after her unattended 5-year-old boy shot himself in the face while playing with a loaded revolver that was placed on a dresser and jumping on a bed in front of his four siblings at his apartment.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s office, 25-year-old Halisa Lloydnette-Christine Brown was sentenced to six months in jail on Friday in connection with Sturlin Minion Jr.’s death. She entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter in July, according to court records.
Charges for second-degree child abuse, involuntary manslaughter, and weapons offenses were brought against Brown and the boy’s father, 33-year-old Sturlin Markese Minion Sr. A charge of felon in possession of a firearm was also brought against Minion.
The incident took place on December 9. According to prosecutors in a news release, Detroit police were called to an apartment complex in the 16500 block of Greenfield Road at 1:24 p.m. for a reported shooting. Officers arrived to discover the little victim of a gunshot wound to the face.
After being brought to a hospital, the boy passed away. Four additional children, ages eight to four, were placed in the custody of Children’s Protective Services when the parents were apprehended without delay.
“I have said before and I will say this again and again: What is it going to take for gun owners to store their weapons safely when children are in their homes? How many more children must die? It takes mere minutes to store a gun safely. Is a child’s death not worth minutes of one’s time?” Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy stated.
According to local NBC affiliate WDIV, Detroit Police Chief James White stated that the revolver was placed out on a dresser. He was blunt about the act’s negligence when speaking with the Detroit News at the time.
“It’s completely ridiculous, irresponsible, stupid and unnecessary,” he stated. “I’m sick and tired of it, and we have a baby now, dead, weeks before Christmas. I’ve been here how many times saying this? It’s completely unacceptable.”
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He informed the outlet that Brown owned the rifle and that it had to be misplaced “for them to be able to get access to it.”
“He had many sister[s] and brothers who loved him dearly and a family that adored him!” she stated. “Everyone is devastated and heartbroken at this moment. We need all the prayers and support we can possibly get in this grievous time.”
Minion entered a plea of not guilty in the case, and according to online court records, a punishment is scheduled for September 20.
