3-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Mom In Merrillville Parking Lot

MERRILLVILLE, IN -- A Northwest Indiana woman is in the hospital and a man is in custody after she was accidentally shot by her 3-year-old daughter Tuesday afternoon, WLS-TV reports. The news source reports that Merrillville police say the woman was in her car in a Plato's Closet parking lot when her daughter grabbed a gun that the woman's boyfriend left on the center console while he was inside the store. WLS-TV says according to police, the 9mm loaded handgun went off once the toddler grabbed it.

The bullet went through the seat, hitting the woman in her right shoulder.

WLS-TV reports police said a 1-year-old child was also in the car.

According to the news report, a Plato's Closet employee said they brought the kids inside the store after they heard screaming.

Police said the woman who was shot is six weeks pregnant and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, then transported to Loyola Hospital in critical but stable condition.

While police haven't released the victim's name or age, WLS-TV says her boyfriend is 21-year-old Menzo Brazier, who has been charged with child endangerment.

WLS-TV reports the children have been placed in the custody of the Indiana Department of Child Services.

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