There was an arrest in Florida on Sunday of a school police officer whose 3-year-old son shot himself with her gun at home. Homestead Police said the mother, Stephanie Jerez, who works for Miami-Dade Schools Police, was charged with child abuse with great bodily harm.
WTVJ, an NBC station, says that Jerez was making food at their house when the child found the gun and shot himself in the foot just before 2 p.m. The 3-year-old was flown to a hospital in Kendall and is said to be in safe condition there.
WTVJ said that when the police came, they found the gun on the kitchen table with a "large amount of blood nearby." Homestead Police stated that she owned the gun and that it was not her duty weapon.
Police in Homestead say in a statement, "We take cases of child endangerment very seriously, and we are committed to making sure the safety and well-being of all children in our community." "The Homestead Police Department wants all gun owners to keep their guns safely locked up and teach their families about gun safety."
As of now, Jerez is not working for the school because of the probe, Miami-Dade County Public Schools told WTVJ.
"Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is aware of an incident that happened over the weekend involving a Miami-Dade Schools Police officer that had nothing to do with school." The Homestead Police Department has booked the cop. According to WTVJ, the statement said, "The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department has relieved the officer of duty until the investigation is over."
On Monday, Jerez went to court, and a judge set her bond at $5,000. Unless it was for work, she was also not allowed to use, buy, or have guns or ammo, according to the station.
"The son of Stephanie Jerez is getting better. "The court system and police department will understand that this is a tragedy that does not call for more punishment," Robert C. Buschel, Jerez's lawyer, said.
WTVJ, an NBC station, says that Jerez was making food at their house when the child found the gun and shot himself in the foot just before 2 p.m. The 3-year-old was flown to a hospital in Kendall and is said to be in safe condition there.
WTVJ said that when the police came, they found the gun on the kitchen table with a "large amount of blood nearby." Homestead Police stated that she owned the gun and that it was not her duty weapon.
Police in Homestead say in a statement, "We take cases of child endangerment very seriously, and we are committed to making sure the safety and well-being of all children in our community." "The Homestead Police Department wants all gun owners to keep their guns safely locked up and teach their families about gun safety."
As of now, Jerez is not working for the school because of the probe, Miami-Dade County Public Schools told WTVJ.
"Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is aware of an incident that happened over the weekend involving a Miami-Dade Schools Police officer that had nothing to do with school." The Homestead Police Department has booked the cop. According to WTVJ, the statement said, "The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department has relieved the officer of duty until the investigation is over."
On Monday, Jerez went to court, and a judge set her bond at $5,000. Unless it was for work, she was also not allowed to use, buy, or have guns or ammo, according to the station.
"The son of Stephanie Jerez is getting better. "The court system and police department will understand that this is a tragedy that does not call for more punishment," Robert C. Buschel, Jerez's lawyer, said.
