A mother in Ohio is facing involuntary manslaughter charges after her 3-year-old son accidentally shot himself with her boyfriend’s unsecured loaded handgun earlier this week.
The criminal complaint outlines that Carley Dials, 29, and Sean Perrin, 31, were asleep in their apartment in Columbus when the child, identified as Cartier Smith, entered their bedroom. The boy located the gun, which Dials claimed she had placed between the mattress and wall after discovering it on the floor, and shot himself, as noted by the Columbus Dispatch.
Perrin fled the scene while Dials dealt with the aftermath of the shooting, which took place just before 9 a.m. Monday.
The boy was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital but died about an hour later.
Perrin was taken into custody later that Monday, facing charges for possessing a weapon under disability—violating one of five restrictions that prohibit him from having a firearm—and for violating his probation. The reason behind Dials facing manslaughter charges while Perrin, who owned the gun and was present, was not similarly charged, remains unclear.
At a hearing on Tuesday, Dials received a $50,000 bond, despite prosecutors advocating for at least a $1 million bond due to her clean criminal record and the circumstances of the case. She posted the bond following the hearing and was subsequently released, according to Law&Crime.
Perrin opted out of appearing at his hearing and was given a bond set at $750,000. He continues to be detained. Both Perrin and Dials have a court appearance scheduled for October 2.
An older child was removed from the home by Franklin County Children’s Services, WBNS said.
