WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: The tot suffered a gunshot wound to the head and later died in hospital – his mother, Evelyn Leyva Etress, has been charged with reckless manslaughter and child abuse
A two-year-old boy has died after being shot in the head by another child. The boy’s mother, Evelyn Leyva Etress, has been arrested and charged with reckless manslaughter and aggravated child abuse following the incident.
The police were alerted to the situation around 10am on Wednesday, January 7, where they discovered the toddler suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, as reported by local authorities. Despite the best efforts of first responders, the young boy was rushed to hospital but sadly died of his injuries.
Local reports have identified the boy as Noah. While investigators believe the shooting in Birmingham, Alabama to be accidental, a comprehensive investigation is still underway.
It was revealed that other children were present in the house during the incident and multiple firearms were later found within the property. Court documents reveal that Etress allegedly informed investigators she had left Noah and two of his siblings unattended in a bedroom while she went to make tea.
She reportedly heard a loud noise and upon returning, found two of the children fleeing from a closet, where Noah was discovered lying on the floor near a handgun.
It’s alleged that Etress admitted to investigators that she had left the handgun on a dresser in the bedroom the night prior to the shooting.
Authorities have stated that the fatal injury was not self-inflicted. However, details regarding how the weapon was discharged or who fired it have yet to be released by prosecutors.
The remaining children who were present in the home during the incident have now been taken into care by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, according to local media reports.
Following the announcement of the charges, Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey stated: “When a gun is left out, a child doesn’t see danger – they see something familiar, and that misunderstanding can turn into tragedy in seconds.”
Etress had also been detained on separate drug-related charges prior to her release from custody.
It remains unclear whether she has entered a plea to any of the charges or secured legal representation.
No court date has been scheduled as yet.
Officers confirmed the investigation continues and called on parents and guardians to ensure firearms are safely secured and kept away from children, cautioning that unsecured weapons in households can present a grave danger to youngsters.