Inset: Javarius Bickett (WTHR). Background: Keiara Bickett cries in Marion County, Indiana, court on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 (WTHR).
An Indiana woman is accused of allowing her 2-year-old son to gain access to her gun and shoot himself in the head, which killed him.
Keiara Bickett, 28, has been charged with neglect of a dependent – resulting in death, Marion County court records show.
On Friday, a judge decreed that Keiara Bickett must have no contact with her 9-year-old daughter, who witnessed the tragic shooting of her brother in June, as reported by the local NBC station WTHR.
The incident took place on June 19 in a CVS parking lot located on East 46th Street in Indianapolis. Bickett’s son, Javarius, reportedly accessed her open purse and retrieved a 9mm Glock Model 26 Gen 5 handgun. Before Bickett or her daughter could react, the child accidentally discharged the firearm, resulting in a fatal head injury.
Authorities state that Keiara Bickett called 911 to report her son’s condition, but he was declared deceased after being taken to a nearby hospital. She faced charges the following day, according to court records.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears commented on the incident, emphasizing, “Without mandatory basic licenses and training for gun owners, families will continue to face danger. Proper gun storage and responsible ownership are crucial — they can mean the difference between life and death.”
The court’s decision brought Bickett to tears, as the judge imposed the no-contact order. Her daughter’s grandmother will look after the child until at least September 22, when a hearing will review the order based on input from the Indiana Department of Child Services, as noted by WTHR.
Keiara Bickett’s jury trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 18. She could face between 20 to 40 years in prison if convicted as charged.
Bickett’s mother believes the possible punishment is too much for an “accident.”
Melissa Etheridge, speaking to a local station, stated, “This was a complete accident. While she might be guilty of not securing the firearm properly, she would never intentionally harm her children. She deeply loves them. It’s heart-wrenching for both her and her daughter.”
The defendant’s mother added: “I know she should have punishment for what happened, but that’s just too much. Everybody’s painting a picture of her that she’s an evil person. She is a great mother.”
