6 year old shot by sibling, grandmom give false info

[Jessiesgirl1108]

OZARK, Ark. -- Authorities in Franklin County are awaiting hospital records of a 6-year-old boy who was shot and wounded during the weekend.

Sheriff Reed Haynes said the boy was shot Saturday and taken to a hospital in Paris then to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. Haynes said the boy is said to be doing well and the records are expected at his office Monday.

The boy's name hasn't been released.

Hospital personnel in Paris said the woman who brought the boy said she's his grandmother and that he was shot in the knee by a sibling at her home in Branch.

The sheriff said a phone number the woman left was to a disconnected phone and the address she provided is not a real address. Haynes also said he's not sure of the validity of the name the woman provided.

http://www.4029tv.com/news/21427632/detail.html

[Nell]

So he was shot then abandoned? That is sad.

[Pene784]

What the hell? Surely a 6 year old can identify his family. I know my 6 year old can. She knows our phone numbers, address, full names.....

[MadeaBecBec]

A Franklin County 4-year-old is recovering from an accidental shooting at his grandmother's home last Friday. 5NEWS spoke with Franklin County investigators about what happened and how the boy is doing three days later.

"I can't stress enough how important gun safety is." Franklin County criminal investigator Robert Limbocker hopes that this first accidental shooting of the season will be a lesson for everyone.

Investigators say 3 and 4 year-old cousins were playing in a back bedroom when their grandmother heard a shot. 47-year-old Toni Arndt told police that she found the four year old bleeding from a gunshot wound to the knee. A sheriff's report states that instead of calling 911, Arndt asked a neighbor to drive them to help. The 4-year-old boy was first taken to North Logan Mercy Hospital in Paris before being transported to Children's Hospital in Little Rock. His grandmother rode in the ambulance with him. He's said to be doing well.

"He is in stable condition at this time," Limbocker said.

The grandmother told authorities that the 22 rifle was hanging on a wall rack at her home on Gammill Street in Charleston. It happened around 1:40 Friday. Sgt. Limbocker says the 4-year-old victim lives with Arndt, while her other three year old grandson was visiting. A Paris patrolman was the first to arrive at the hospital and take an initial statement. Limbocker later spoke with the woman while she was enroute to Little Rock.

http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-r...,6213826.story

Whew!! Could've been terribly worse!! Heal, Little Fella!

[Pene784]

How did they mangle the initial story so badly? Well I am glad that the child is recovering and grandma stayed with the little one.

Little boys are always curious about guns. Don't just hang up guns, lock em up. My husband collects both long guns and hand guns and not only has my 6 year old daughter been taught all about gun safety and guns in general, but our guns are kept in a gun safe and the ammo is kept in a lock box in another safe. I think even if you do not keep guns in your house you need to teach your children about them and what to do in case they encounter a gun, say at a friends or relatives home. My husband took our daughter to a target shooting practice to show her the power of even a little gun and explained what could happen if they were played with or misused. If all parents took the time so many accidents could be avoided.

[MadeaBecBec]

Sheriff Reed Haynes is the one to blame for the screw-up! He released that press statement in a hurry and didn't have the correct info, all the while Gramma is with the child in an ambulance. Thank goodness, CI Robert Limbocker came into it, and straightened the media out!!

And Pene784; You are correct in your post. All children old enough to reach and play with a toy gun, should be taught how dangerous "real" guns can be. My Dad shot pumpkins, sometimes watermelons, with different types of firearms and ammo, to have us realize the damage they can cause. It didn't warp any of us (I have five siblings) and that gave us an appreciation for weapons, plus kind of took the "fascination" with them out of the picture!