A 3-year-old special-needs boy in Ripley, Tennessee died on March 14, 2022 of a gunshot wound to the head after gaining access to an unsecured Glock 22 pistol in his home. A firearm had been stored in a tote in a bedroom and was then moved under a bed (where a household member slept with the child) because the child went through the tote looking for snacks. The child got under the bed, found the gun, and fired it, shooting himself in the face; he was pronounced dead at a hospital. Law enforcement seized the firearm and TBI assisted in the investigation. The mother was at work at the time. The autopsy listed the manner of death as undetermined, while DCS substantiated Lack of Supervision but did not substantiate Abuse Death.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The fatality report describes that the child "had gotten under the bed and found the gun... fired the gun" and "had shot himself in the face," with autopsy showing "cause of death as gunshot wound of the head." The WREG article reports a "3-year-old boy is dead after he was shot by an unsecured firearm in Ripley."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The DCS report states "There is a preponderance of evidence to substantiate the allegation of Lack of Supervision" and that the case was "classified as Allegation Substantiated Perpetrator Substantiated for the allegation of Lack of Supervision." The child accessed an unsecured firearm and shot himself.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
The fatality report indicates adult relatives were the caregivers responsible: "the 25yo aunt was the caretaker for [child] when the grandmother was not at home," and a firearm stored in the home was accessible to the child. Lack of Supervision was substantiated against the alleged perpetrator, who was a household relative caregiver.
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
The fatality report narrative describes a household member "who is special needs, has a tendency of going through things," referencing a developmental/special-needs condition in connection with the circumstances of the gun being moved and the child accessing it.
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report notes "The 25yo may possibly be involved in gangs and LE and TBI are investigating possibility that firearm was involved in another recent incident," suggesting potential prior criminal involvement of a caregiver separate from this death, though stated only as a possibility under investigation.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The case centers on a policy/safety failure involving unsecured firearms. The WREG article quotes District Attorney Mark Davidson: "This case certainly demonstrates the deadly danger of unsecured firearms in a home with children." The DCS report notes the gun was moved from a tote to under a bed where the child could reach it, the grandmother "reportedly did not know there was a firearm in the home," and that the caregiver was likely to be charged with "not securing a firearm and giving [the child] direct access." These details highlight a systemic child-safety issue around firearm storage relevant to legislation.
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