A tragic incident unfolded when a father inadvertently fell asleep with a gun in his pocket, leading to the critical injury and subsequent death of his child. The child, a 6-year-old boy, succumbed to his injuries after the unfortunate event.

Steven Lamont Phillips now faces serious charges, including criminal homicide, as stated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department in Tennessee. Initially, he was charged with aggravated child neglect and unlawful possession of a firearm. The developments have taken a grim turn with the new charges following the child’s death.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain somewhat unclear. Phillips has not yet entered a plea, and attempts to reach his attorney have been unsuccessful. This leaves many questions unanswered as the legal proceedings continue.

According to the police report, Phillips recounted that on March 28, after spending time with his son in the living room, he inadvertently fell asleep with a pistol in his pocket. He was jolted awake by the sound of a gunshot, discovering his son had been wounded. In a state of panic, Phillips reportedly called for a family member to contact emergency services. When officers arrived, they found the firearm on the living room floor.

The young boy was immediately transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Despite the medical team’s efforts, he died two days later on March 30 due to a severe head wound.

Further complicating Phillips’ legal woes are his past felony convictions, which include attempted theft, aggravated robbery, and previous incidents involving firearms. These aspects will likely play a significant role in the forthcoming legal proceedings.

The boy’s family told Fox 17 News in a statement that the boy—whose nickname was “Junebug”—was a blessing. 

“Our sweet, dear Junebug was full of love and joy,” read the statement. “He had the brightest smile and the kindest heart. He loved his noodles, his dinosaurs, his tablet, and most of all, he loved his family.” 

The statement continued, “He brought so much happiness to everyone around him, and he will be deeply missed. We want the world to remember him for the pure, gentle soul that he was.”

A spokesperson from the Office of the District Attorney Nashville declined to comment when asked by Oxygen. It is unclear when Phillips will next appear in court.