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Published Wednesday, April 14, 2010 | 2:59 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, April 14, 2010 | 4:13 p.m.
Approximate area of shooting
Sun Archives
A Metro Police officer and his wife were indicted today on one count of child neglect resulting in substantial bodily harm after their young son shot himself with his father’s .45-caliber Wilson Combat handgun.
Investigators said Jared and Shawnee Bledsoe, of Overton, left a loaded handgun in a nightstand drawer that was accessible to their 2-year-old son, Jared Benjamin Bledsoe.
The child shot himself in the abdomen, according to an arrest report released last month. The bullet went through his small bowel, liver, colon, diaphragm, lung and arm.
Jared Beldsoe is employed by Metro Police but is on non-paid administrative leave, Metro spokesman Jay Rivera said Wednesday.
During a police interview, Jared Bledsoe told investigators he kept two unsecured, loaded handguns in the bedroom. One was in the nightstand drawer. The other was kept inside a bag on the closet floor.
At 10:53 p.m. Feb. 6, Shawnee Bledsoe called police to report that her son had a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The child was taken to UMC and had emergency surgery.
Neil Beller, the Bledsoes' attorney, said Wednesday he was disappointed by the grand jury’s decision. The injury to their son and the loss of Jared Bledsoe’s pay was punishment enough, he said.
Beller said the child is doing “fine,” but didn't know if he would be needing further medical treatment for his injuries.
Investigators said that at the time of the shooting, the Bledsoes had several guests at their home and were playing cards in the kitchen. They had put Jared and their other son, 4, to bed in separate rooms. Jared had been put in the master bedroom.
While the guests were playing cards, they heard a gunshot from the master bedroom. The parents and other adults ran into the room, where they found Jared lying on his back on the bed.
An arraignment for the couple is set for April 29.
This situation while tragic and I'm sure frustrating for the parents, it happens all the time with young children who get into everything. The father being a Metro Officer should have known better than to leave a loaded weapon within reach of the 2 year old. The sad part is that he had the weapon to protect his family, and harm still found it's way to them..
Ah yes, the "no harm, no foul" defense, with a little "they've suffered enough already" thrown in. Gotta love the classics.
When this story was first reported - the officer claimed that the gun had a safety on. If this is true, how did a two year old manage to still shoot the gun?
I hope this child does not face a lifetime of colostomy bags. His father will likely lose his job and health insurance. If a metro officer who has received a lot of gun training can let this happen in his own home, why do open carry yokels think their guns are so harmless?
Any parent, especially a police officer, should invest in a quick-release type gun safe-box that only they can access quickly!
I'd be for Metro issuing these to police that are parents - this could have, and should have, been avoided entirely!
Comment removed by moderator. Off-topic.
http://www.buyasafe.com/Gun-Vault-Safe-p...
This is what responsible 2nd Amendment Rights are about - with every right comes responsibilities!
Short of complete gross negligence, I disagree with charging parents when there is an accidental shooting involving a child. For one, there is no intent on the part of the parent. This officer put the gun away in a drawer; it was not sitting out in the open. While not secure, it was at least out of sight. As a police officer, this person is required to own a firearm as a condition of his employment, and is trained to be armed at all times, even at home.
And should we really expect to imprison parents, so the child is raised by who knows? These parents are punishing themselves worse then society could ever. How about this for punishment:
1. The parent is liable for all costs associated with this accident. From the police investigation, to the medical bills. They can make payments for the rest of their lives till the debt is gone.
2. They lose their guns until they have completed advanced firearm safety training and have installed a gun safe or pistol vault in their home, all at their cost.
3. They are required to talk at gun safety classes about the dangers of unsecured firearms so others learn from their mistake.
Just an idea.
This indictment is way overdue, and if he has so little knowledge or concern for gun safety, he should never again carry or own one.
Putting a gun in a drawer that is not locked IS gross negligence! But, I agree putting a parent in jail probably serves no good purpose either!
I can tell you that had this happened on a military base with a soldier's personally owned weapon - a strict commander would have brought charges that resulted in a dishonorable discharge!
I find it very disturbing that this parent is on the police force - we need far more responsible people than this wearing a badge and a gun!
Police officer should have known better,than to try an cover it up. He should be fired.
With Beller for an attorney these poor people will lose for sure. He is totally inadequate as an attorney. Bledsoes, get different representation.
"I find it very disturbing that this parent is on the police force - we need far more responsible people than this wearing a badge and a gun!"
Remember when Dick Cheney shot his friend? He laughed it off and continued to help run the COUNTRY into the ground! Did you complain then? I doubt it...
loaded gun + small kid = gunshot
here in Florida the little kids drown in the pools all the time, same story different act. No adult responsibility.
This is a blatant example of the education level of local law enforcement.
Requirements to be a police officer:
1. 18 yrs old
2. pass criminal background check
3. take written and oral exam
4. Academy Training
Maybe we need to evaluate our requirements and hiring process and keep these individuals off the streets, the incompetent police, that is.
They may be beating themselves up more than society ever could, but that doesn't negate the fact that someone has to be made an example of. The cops make an example out of us everyday with their speeding tickets i.e: you speed, you get a ticket. There are consequences for all actions be it good or bad. Letting the parents off the hook would be unseemly, cop or no cop (I think we hold them to a higher standard and rightfully so). Like all adults, they have to answer for their actions otherwise they will not have learned from them.