Boy, 9, Brought Gun To Carol Stream School; Woman Charged: Police

WHEATON, IL — A woman faces felony charges after police say a nine-year-old boy brought a gun she had to his elementary school in Carol Stream. Betty Hughes, 27, was charged with unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon in connection with Tuesday's incident.

Police in Carol Stream called to a local elementary school after a report that a boy had a gun in his possession. Responding officers reported searching the student's backpack and finding a .40-caliber Taurus handgun with a bullet in its magazine.

According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, the gun was traced back to Hughes, who had a felony conviction on her record.

"As a convicted felon, Ms. Hughes is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, "To make matters worse, the allegation that a minor was able to gain control of her illegally possessed handgun and bring it to school is extremely alarming. We are all very thankful that no one was injured as a result of this incident."

Hughes is currently being held in DuPage County Jail and is set to appear in court on March 18.