Boy, 13, Takes His Mother's Gun, Here Is Why Mother Was Also Arrested: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department announced the arrest of a 36-year-old mother and her 13-year-old son in connection with a gun incident on the city's near west side.

Erica Nash was arrested and released on a notice to appear in Will County's Courthouse for the crime of endangering the life or health of a child. A 13-year-old boy was arrested and taken to the River Valley Justice Center on charges of aggravated domestic Battery and unlawful use of a weapon.

The Joliet police press release of Friday's incident noted that at 2:17 p.m., the officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the 0–50 block of North Cagwin Avenue involving a juvenile with a gun. Upon arrival, officers learned that a 13-year-old boy had argued with his stepfather and allegedly accessed a handgun from a safe belonging to his mother, Nash.

During the altercation, Nash returned home, took the gun from her son, and was pushed into a wall by him. She secured the firearm and declined medical attention.

The juvenile was located near Marion Street and Comstock Street and taken into custody without incident. Nash was also taken into custody without incident. The handgun was recovered by officers.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said that Nash was charged because her son was able to access her weapon out of her gun safe, according to the police officer's report.