A tragic event unfolded in Miami-Dade County, Florida, when a 3-year-old girl inadvertently shot herself while under the care of a relative who was distracted by a football game. The incident, which was recorded by a home security camera, took place in the Goulds neighborhood in the southwest region of Miami-Dade.
The young girl, named Serenity, was supposed to be under the supervision of her grandmother, who was not visible in the surveillance footage at the time of the incident. Instead, 23-year-old Orlando Young, another family member, was seen celebrating a football touchdown when the child picked up the unattended firearm and unintentionally fired it.
The surveillance video reveals Young momentarily leaving his firearm unattended on the couch while he celebrated a touchdown. It was during this brief moment that Serenity picked up the gun and unintentionally discharged it. Robin Fuller, Serenity’s other grandmother, stated that the bullet passed through the child’s finger.
Upon hearing the gunshot, family members immediately rushed Serenity to the hospital. Fuller, who was not present during the incident, contacted the police after hearing about the event. The police arrived at the scene and began their investigation into the child’s whereabouts.
Serenity was initially rushed to Homestead Hospital before being transferred to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for surgery. She has since been discharged and is reportedly in good spirits, recuperating at home with her mother.
Following the incident, Young was arrested on charges of child neglect. He made his first appearance in bond court on Monday. Fuller has voiced her determination to ensure Serenity’s safety, stating that she does not want her granddaughter to return to the home where the incident took place.
In an unexpected turn of events, Young is anticipated to face additional charges related to an altercation with an inmate.