MUNCIE, Ind. — Police have arrested a woman and her boyfriend for neglect in the death of a 4-year-old who died after being shot in Muncie Monday afternoon.
Police said the shooting happened shortly after noon in the 1500 block of South Burlington Drive, near East Memorial Drive.
The boy was taken to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where he died.
Hours later, police said the boy's mother, 22-year-old Alycia Smith, and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Joseph Jackson, were arrested. They are facing charges of felony neglect of a dependent resulting in death and felony neglect of a dependent.
According to court documents, Jackson told police he left a 9mm Glock 19 sitting on a dollhouse in a room that he shared with Smith, her 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. Court documents say Jackson said he regularly leaves the gun sitting on the dollhouse.
Jackson told police he was on the first floor of the home when he heard a "pop" noise come from upstairs.
According to court documents, Smith told police she knew Jackson had a gun and said he had left the gun sitting on the dollhouse "at least 10 times." Smith said Jackson leaving his gun in places the children could access it led to several arguments in the past.
Court documents say investigators found a gun safe on the first floor of the home, where the gun could have been safely stored.
Police said the shooting is being investigated and there is no threat to the community.
"Once we receive the investigation paperwork from the police department, we will engage in a thorough review of the facts to determine whether or not charges are warranted," Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman said.
The Delaware County deputy coroner confirmed the child died from a gunshot.
Police ask anyone with more information about this case to contact the Muncie Police Department's Detective Division at 765-747-4867.
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