A Michigan daycare was thrown into chaos Monday after a toddler reportedly pulled a loaded handgun from his backpack, prompting staff to quickly secure the weapon, police and local reports said.
The alarming incident at Children’s World Early Learning Center in Canton was captured on surveillance video. Canton Police Chief Joseph Bialy told WWJ that watching the footage was “hard to watch.”
Still, Bialy said he was relieved that the situation ended without anyone being injured.
After reviewing the video, the police chief praised the daycare employees for acting swiftly and taking steps to protect the children. He said the staff appeared prepared to remove the firearm and keep the children safe.
No injuries were reported. FOX 2 Detroit reported that the gun remained in its holster when daycare staff intervened.
Investigators have not said how the child came into possession of the loaded firearm or identified its owner.
One of the child’s parents is a police officer in a neighboring community. The child’s other parent was arrested but had not been charged, according to the Detroit Free Press, which cited Bialy.
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Children’s World Early Learning Center said in a statement that safety remains its top priority and that it takes pride in being among the safest childcare centers in the Canton area.
The center said the situation was beyond its control but praised its employees, particularly the teacher who responded immediately. Officials described the incident as unfortunate.
The daycare also said that no one was hurt and that staff followed all required safety procedures, adding that its protocols helped prevent a potentially tragic outcome.
Neighbors said they were stunned that a loaded gun had been brought into a setting filled with young children.
“It’s a terrible thing to happen,” one neighbor told WWJ.
The neighbor added that the firearm should have been secured at home in a locked safe, beyond a child’s reach.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the investigation.
Canton police and Children’s World Early Learning Center did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
