A loaded handgun was brought into a Michigan daycare center inside a toddler’s backpack Monday, prompting a police investigation and the detention of one parent, authorities said.
The incident happened in Canton Township, west of Detroit. No children or staff members were injured after daycare workers quickly intervened when the toddler removed the firearm from the backpack.
Canton Township Police Chief Joseph Bialy said surveillance footage showed the child taking the handgun out of the bag while a teacher was present in the room.
According to Bialy, the weapon was secured in a holster but was not properly secured from access by the child.
The teacher noticed what was happening and immediately took the firearm away from the toddler. Police praised the daycare employee for acting quickly and preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
“It’s shocking to see,” Bialy said while discussing the surveillance video.
Parent Taken Into Custody
Police took one of the child’s parents into custody following the incident. Authorities have not publicly identified the parent, and no criminal charges had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon.
Bialy said one of the child’s parents works as a law enforcement officer in a neighboring jurisdiction, but that individual was not the parent taken into custody. He also said investigators did not believe the handgun involved was a service weapon.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday that police had submitted a warrant request for review. Officials said there would be no arraignment that day.
Daycare Removes Family and Changes Security Procedures
The daycare center has since disenrolled the family involved in the incident, according to Detroit NBC affiliate WDIV.
Childrens World Early Learning Center also announced that it would begin checking backpacks brought into the facility.
In a statement, the center said it remained committed to maintaining a safe environment for children and families.
Police Stress Importance of Firearm Safety
Chief Bialy described the incident as serious and emphasized that firearms must be stored securely whenever children are present or expected to be present.
He said investigators had not found evidence that anyone involved intended to harm a child or another person, but stressed that the incident demonstrated the risks associated with improperly secured firearms.
Authorities are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding how the handgun ended up inside the toddler’s backpack and whether criminal charges will be filed.
