 |
|
|
Updated: 7:59 PM Jan 6, 2009
UPDATE: Sheriff: 4-Year-Old Shoots Teen Babysitter for Stepping on Foot
Deputies say a bizarre shooting Sunday night involved a 4-year-old wielding a shotgun. UPDATE: read the police report Posted: 11:43 AM Jan 5, 2009Reporter: Randy Yohe Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com |
|
224 Comments 
Update at 6 p.m. Tuesday
JACKSON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A child's game of cops and robbers took a tragic twist, according to the father of a 4-year-old boy who shot his babysitter with a shotgun.
William Crisp is fighting to keep his son from state custody while a prosecutor decides on possible criminal charges.
Crisp and Jackson County Sheriff's deputies agree that the single buckshot blast from the old 20-gauge shotgun could have been much worse. The 17-year-old male babysitter sustained an arm wound during the incident.
"He's fine," Crisp said. "His arm will be fine. He's not pressing charges."
Jackson County Chief Sheriff's Deputy Jim Ephlin said, "He's lucky. "If it was a deer slug, he could have been severely injured or killed."
The babysitter and another teen were watching three younger children Sunday night at a rural mobile home just outside of Jackson. That's when all agree that the babysitter accidentally stepped on the 4-year-old boy's foot, and he responded.
"They didn't know he was going to grab a real gun," Crisp said. "It shocked everybody."
Crisp is terrified that Children's Services will take his son away for what he insists was a freak accident.
Crisp said his son picked up the shotgun shell from a living room drawer and got the gun from a rear closet. He said the babysitter assumed the little boy was going for one of his many toy guns.
"He did not intend to hurt or kill him," Crisp said.
Jackson County Prosecutor Jonathan Blanton said he can't imagine filing assault charges against a 4-year-old child.
"There's no place to put a 4 year old, but we may file charges against the adults," he said.
But Crisp said he's not guilty of child endangerment.
"I"ve taught my son to respect guns," he said. "It was a pure accident."
Crisp said Children's Services insists that his son get counseling. He said the agency also is ordering him to get any gun -- real or toy -- along with any saw, hammer, nails -- anything active -- out of the home for good.
Original story
JACKSON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Deputies say a bizarre shooting Sunday night involved a 4-year-old wielding a shotgun.
The Jackson County, Ohio, Sheriff says some teenagers were babysitting some younger children in a mobile home just outside Jackson.
The police report says a 4-year-old got angry after 18-year-old Nathan Beavers stepped on his foot.
The reports say the boy then went into a back room, loaded a shell in a 20-gauge shotgun, came out and shot Beavers in the arm. The babysitter was hospitalized, but the injury was not life-threatening.
Another teen was also hit with shotgun pellets.
The sheriff says possible violations include aggravated assault against the 4-year-old, and child endangerment against the babysitting victim. Right now, the sheriff is not sure yet if anyone will be charged.
[ Copyright 2009 – WSAZ.com. All Rights Reserved. ]
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Severe Weather and Breaking News Coverage
To send a news tip or submit a story idea, e-mail news@wsaz.com
Latest Comments
if he had taught his son to respect guns he would be keeping his guns in a safe and the boy would know that they are no joke when I was 4 I knew that there was a difference between toy guns and real guns
[ Report Abuse ]
My first question when i read this was Why in the heck does a 4 year old know where the gun and amo are kept UNLOCKED, and second, Why does this 4 year old know how to load and fire it? Smart parenting.....
[ Report Abuse ]
The father should also be charged!!! How on earth does a 4 yo. get a hold of a shotgun soo easily...anyways? Where's the responsibility come in for the father of the 4 yo.?
[ Report Abuse ]
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- South Charleston Police Seek 2 Teens in Connection with 'Gruesome' Murder
- Hundreds Greet Miles Ferguson on Return Home to Portsmouth
- Miley Cyrus Tour Bus Overturns in Va., Killing 1
- Man Shot Five Times at a Home in Kanawha County, Name Released
- One Dead in Boyd County Crash, Name Released
- Marshall Cardiology Fellow Faces Fraud Charges
- Name Released: Man Shot in South Charleston, Found Near Mound
- Jimmy John's Delivery Guy Robbed After Making Delivery
- UPDATE: I-64 Crash Sends One Person to the Hospital
- Portsmouth Police Arrest Pair on Drug Charges
- Hundreds Greet Miles Ferguson on Return Home to Portsmouth
602 Comments - One Dead in Boyd County Crash, Name Released
55 Comments - Huntington City Council Members Discuss Violence in Downtown Bars
30 Comments - Ambulance Crashes while En Route to Accident, 3 Hurt
23 Comments - MCTC Picks New Name, Initials Remain the Same
20 Comments - UPDATE: Two Arrested in Double Carter County Murder
17 Comments
 |
Full 2010 Olympic coverage from the WSAZ Olympic Zone. Coverage begins Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:30p with the Opening Ceremony on WSAZ |
 |
A glittering holiday show full of fun and surprises for the whole family! Children thrill as Santa takes them on a magical ride to his workshop. |
 |
Healthy Connections Find a local health professional |
 |
A collection of resources here to help Moms weather the daily storms that come along with parenting. |
 |
SOMC Very good things are happening here |
 |
WV Lottery Nightly drawings and numbers |
 |
Big Sandy For all your furniture and appliance needs |
 |
Healthy Tri-State Tips to live a healthier lifestyle |
