A 29-year-old mother in Florida now faces criminal charges following the death of her 4-year-old son, who discovered a loaded handgun in her purse and shot himself.
Diamond Phillips has been formally charged with culpable negligence involving a firearm, according to Manatee County court records. Authorities have not released the child’s identity.
Deputies arrived at a Sarasota residence in June, where both Phillips and the boy’s grandmother confirmed the child had shot himself “using the mother’s gun,” as detailed in the arrest affidavit. Emergency personnel attempted to treat the child, but he succumbed to his injuries that day.
Investigators determined the child retrieved an unholstered Smith & Wesson handgun from Phillips’ green Steve Madden purse, “which was located on the kitchen island.” The affidavit reported that the boy was discovered lying on his back “in front of the kitchen island with an apparent gunshot wound to the head above his left eye,” with his feet oriented toward the counter “as if he fell back away from it.” A bullet fragment was recovered from the ceiling above.
Phillips informed detectives “she normally carried the firearm loaded on her person in her purse for protection” and usually placed the bag on the counter, microwave, or refrigerator to keep it out of her children’s reach. She stated that the children could only access the counter by climbing onto bar stools, and the grandmother had instructed them to stay off the stools shortly before the incident.
Detectives concluded the purse remained within the children’s reach and placed Phillips under arrest. Court records indicate she posted bond on Sept. 23 and is scheduled for arraignment on Nov. 6.
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