Mom charged with letting son shoot himself in front of sister
Share this @internewscast.com

An Indiana mother was seen sobbing in court after her toddler son grabbed a gun from her purse and fatally shot himself in front of his sister. 

Keiara Bickett, 28, was charged with neglect after her two-year-old son Javarius fired the weapon at his face in a CVS parking lot on June 19. 

She has also been court-ordered to stay away from her eight-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrifying accident. 

Javarius was sitting in the backseat while his mother and sister were in the front.

Bickett’s unzipped bag was reportedly placed on the vehicle’s center console, making it easy for Javarius to access and take her 9mm Glock Model 26 Gen 5 handgun.

‘It was purely accidental. While there may have been negligence for not securing the gun properly, she would never intentionally hurt any of her kids,’ said Melissa Etheridge, Bickett’s mother, in an interview with WTHR.

‘She loves her kids to death. It’s tearing me up. It’s tearing her daughter up.’  

She told investigators that when she started driving, Javarius was in his car seat but he was not wearing his seatbelt, WTHR reported. 

Keiara Bickett (pictured), 28, was charged with neglect after her two-year-old son, Javarius Bickett, fired the weapon at his face in a CVS parking lot on June 19

Keiara Bickett (pictured), 28, faced neglect charges after her two-year-old son, Javarius Bickett, accidentally discharged the firearm in a CVS parking lot on June 19.

Javarius (left) was sitting in the backseat while his mother (right) and sister were in the front

Javarius (left) was sitting in the backseat while his mother (right) and sister were in the front

Police recovered the weapon and a loaded magazine from the floor on the driver's side (pictured: police responding to the scene)

Police recovered the weapon and a loaded magazine from the floor on the driver’s side (pictured: police responding to the scene)

Police said she stopped at a gas station before going to CVS to pick up a prescription. 

When she arrived at the pharmacy, she tried going through the drive-thru, but it was closed. 

She allegedly was texting while trying to park to go inside the store, which is when she said she realized Javarius had gotten out of his car seat.

While she was preoccupied with her phone and trying to park, she heard the gun go off. Bickett asserted she did not see her child with the gun. 

But Javarius’ sister told investigators she and her mother were holding him while the car was moving.

The toddler allegedly climbed into the front passenger seat and sat on his sister’s lap at one point. 

According to court documents reviewed by WTHR, the shocked child mentioned she was on her phone playing a game and only became aware of the situation when she heard a ‘loud noise.’

She then saw her little brother fall to the floor. 

Melissa Etheridge (pictured) was granted custody of her granddaughter at least until Bickett's next court date

Melissa Etheridge (pictured) was granted custody of her granddaughter at least until Bickett’s next court date

The Indianapolis mother dialed 911 after Javarius (pictured) shot himself. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital

The Indianapolis mother dialed 911 after Javarius (pictured) shot himself. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital

The Indianapolis mother dialed 911 after Javarius shot himself. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Police recovered the weapon and a loaded magazine from the floor on the driver’s side. 

Detectives noted that the spent bullet was found on the passenger’s side. 

The grieving mother was arrested on August 21 and is charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in death, a level one felony. 

She could face 20 to 40 years in prison if she is found guilty. 

‘I know she should have punishment for what happened, but that’s just too much,’ Etheridge told WTHR. 

Bickett posted her $50,000 surety bond and appeared in court on Friday, where the judge temporarily revoked her custody of her daughter.

The child will be in Etheridge’s care at least until Bickett’s next court date on September 22. 

Javarius (pictured) allegedly crawled in his sister's lap moments before he accidentally fired the gun

Javarius (pictured) allegedly crawled in his sister’s lap moments before he accidentally fired the gun

Bickett (pictured) sobbed in court as the judge revoked her custody of her daughter

Bickett (pictured) sobbed in court as the judge revoked her custody of her daughter 

But further complicating the situation, Bickett lives with her mother and claimed in court that she takes care of her stepfather at home. 

The judge ruled she can return to the house to take care of her stepfather, but cannot stay over and is not allowed to be alone with her daughter.  

‘Without mandatory basic licensing and training for gun owners, families will continue to face danger,’ stated Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

‘Safe storage and responsible gun owners are not optional – it’s a matter of life and death.’ 

According to the nationwide gun-training organization Concealed Coalition, getting a gun in Indiana is ‘straightforward.’ 

‘All you’ll have to do is visit a licensed dealer, pass a background check, and pay for the firearm,’ the group wrote. 

Residents are permitted to carry both open and concealed weapons in most parts of the state. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Kimberly Guilfoyle Takes Oath as Greece’s New Ambassador

Sources have informed the Daily Mail that Kimberly Guilfoyle was sworn in…

Starmer Urges Labour to Protect Britain’s Identity from Farage’s Influence

Keir Starmer accused ‘snake oil merchant’ Nigel Farage of not ‘liking’ Britain today as he…

Tim Walz Proposes State Constitutional Amendment to Ban ‘Assault Rifles’

After facing difficulties advancing his gun ban in the legislature, Minnesota Governor…

Pete Hegseth Proposes Comprehensive Military Overhaul and Criticizes Troop Fitness Levels

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today warned a large crowd of top…

Starmer Supports Tony Blair’s Role in Gaza, Prompting Backlash from the Left

Left-wingers voiced fury today after Donald Trump unveiled an extraordinary peace plan…

Unveiled: The Stunning Makeover of Jaime Laing and Sophie Habboo’s Home

These images capture the remarkable transformation of Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo’s…

Intruder Apprehended by Secret Service After Climbing White House Fence

A man was detained by members of the United States Secret Service…

I Noticed Nicole and Keith’s True Selves Revealed Months Ago: Insights from Amanda Goff

Say it isn’t so! Nicole and Keith have split? Honestly, I had all…

Dana White, Trump Supporter, Opposes White House on ‘Cancel Culture’ Issue

UFC boss Dana White expressed disagreement with conservatives and his White House…

Retiree Challenges Council Over Order to Remove Three Garden Pots

A pensioner has declared he would rather go to jail than remove…

The Role of £1000 Chinese-Made Mega-Dinghies in Channel Crossings

Chinese-made ‘mega dinghies’ are fuelling a rise in illegal migrant crossings –…

Trump Unveils Significant Changes to Drug Pricing in Partnership with Pharma Leader Pfizer

President Donald Trump and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer have declared an agreement…