Police still weighing neglect charges

Monday, Sept. 20, 2004 | 9:22 a.m.

Metro Police are investigating whether the two mothers of six children who were alone in an apartment when a 15-year-old was shot Friday in the leg by a home invader should be charged with neglect.

However, Lt. Brad Simpson of the department's abuse and neglect section said there is not necessarily anything wrong with leaving a teen alone with other children.

"We didn't make an arrest. We're still looking into the circumstances," he said Friday. "There's no law that says you can't leave an 8- or 9-year-old in charge. It depends on the circumstances."

The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. in the gated, guarded Spring Pointe townhouse complex in the 3700 block of Shirebrook Drive, near Pecos Road and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Two women and their six children live in the condominium that was invaded, Lt. Ted Snodgrass of the robbery section said. The youngest child is 2 years old.

At least one person kicked in the front door prior to the shooting. The eldest of the children, a 15-year-old girl, woke up when she heard a noise and started walking toward the bathroom, Snodgrass said.

"She feels a pain in her leg and realizes she was shot in the leg," he said. A shot was fired through a wall, striking the girl. She didn't see the suspect, so police have no description to go on.

The girl was taken to University Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The 2-year-old was treated after she cut her foot on broken glass.

It's not clear what sparked the shooting, Snodgrass said, but detectives were investigating whether a family disturbance reported at the victim's townhouse a day earlier might have had something to do with it.

A call was placed from the victim's home about 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Officers arrived and took a routine report, but no arrests were made.

Snodgrass said the shooting didn't appear gang-related.