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Louisville family charged after toddler shoots himself in leg

Instead of calling 911, investigators say the boy's parents and uncle tried to treat the wound themselves and cover up the shooting.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The parents of a Louisville 3-year-old and a man described as his uncle are now facing charges after the little boy shot himself.

Police charged Jherrell White, Jazmine Wiggins, and Dejuan Floyd Jr. for their actions surrounding the shooting on May 20.

According to court documents, the toddler found the loaded handgun in the home and shot himself in the leg.

His parents allegedly weren't home at the time and the uncle said he slept through the whole thing.

Instead of calling 911, investigators said the three tried to treat the boy themselves and cover up the shooting.

Three hours after the shooting, they took the boy to the hospital for treatment, and that's when police were called.

David Goad, CEO of Golem Security, said tragedies like these are why he continues to urge gun owners to own gun locks.

Last year, he was a part of a community event that handed out gun locks to people on 28th Street. The event was on the heels of an accidental shooting involving a two-year-old.

Goad said the simple-to-use tool could save young lives.

   

“Children are very inquisitive, and they see something that you carry a lot,” Goad said. “That means to them, it's important to you. So, they're going to want to know what it is. And if you don't have it properly secured, you can have a very tragic influence.”

As of the end of April, Norton Children's Hospital reports treating 16 kids for gunshot injuries. It's why Goad teaches anyone, including kids, gun safety. He also said he offers free gun locks for anyone who asks.

His company honored with a mayoral proclamation during the grand opening of its new facility Wednesday.

“It means a great deal to us, especially because when we started this, we did it for free,” Goad said.

While he appreciates the recognition, Goad said his services are for the betterment of the city.

Floyd, Wiggins, and Floyd are all being charged with wanton endangerment, criminal abuse of a child 12 years old or younger, and tampering with physical evidence. They are each being held at a $100,000 bond. 

They are all due in court on June 23 at 9:00 a.m.  

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