Couple Charged After Toddler Pointed Handgun At Detectives: PD

NEW HAVEN, CT —A 2-year-old pointed a semi-automatic handgun with a red laser attachment at detectives during an investigation, police said.

According to New Haven police spokesperson officer Scott Shumway, on June 25 just before dawn, members of the New Haven Police Shooting Task Force, Criminal Intelligence Unit, along with members from various Federal Task Forces, conducted an investigation at 12 Dayton Street on the second floor. During the investigation, a toddler found the weapon, that was left unattended on a bed, he said, adding detectives "were able to secure the handgun without incident." The state Department of Children and Families was notified and responded to the scene, Shumway said.

As a result of the investigation, Joshua Talton and Wanesha Dawson were placed under arrest.

Talton was charged with the following:

• Criminal Possession of a Firearm
• Risk of Injury to a Minor
• Criminal Negligent Storage of a Firearm
• Violation of a Protective Order
• Interfering with a Search Warrant
• Interfering with Police
• Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (three counts)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell
• Possession of a Narcotic Substance with Intent to Sell

Dawson was charged with the following:

• Criminal Possession of a Firearm
• Risk of Injury to a Minor
• Criminal Negligent Storage of a Firearm
• Interfering with a Search Warrant
• Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (three counts)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell
• Possession of a Narcotic Substance with Intent to Sell

Talton was held on $700,000 bond and Dawson was held on $500,000 bond, Shumway said, adding both were transported to an arraignment hearing in Superior Court at 121 Elm Street.