Nationwide — Teasia Leonard, a young African American mother from Cincinnati, Ohio, is facing a child endangerment charge after her 2-year-old son was shot inside her home. Authorities believe the toddler accidentally shot himself after being left alone.
The shooting happened on May 31 at Leonard’s residence on Nottingham Road. Prosecutors say she left the child alone in a bedroom, where he was later found with a gunshot wound. The boy survived and is now in his grandmother’s care.
According to Local 12, Leonard told investigators she did not own a firearm and was unaware one was in the house. Her attorney explained that she had recently begun dating someone who brought a friend over. She claims she had no idea a gun had been brought into her home.
Court records state that Leonard “created a substantial risk” to her son’s safety. She was arraigned and received a $1,000 bond. Job and Family Services (JFS) is now involved in the case. Leonard is not allowed to see her son without JFS permission and must not possess any firearms.
Another man, Carmelo Anderson, has also been charged in connection with the case. Authorities say he gave the firearm to someone else and told them to get rid of it after the incident. Anderson is currently in jail on a $10,000 bond and faces charges of tampering with evidence and child endangerment.