Metro Detroit Mom Charged After Child Accidentally Fatally Shoots Self

HOWELL, MI — A mother is facing charges after a 2-year-old child grabbed a gun and accidentally shot and killed themself inside a Livingston County home in June.

Tonya Lacey, 41, was charged with second-degree child abuse, which is a 10-year felony.

Police said Lacey was alone with the child inside a Howell home near Byron and West Highland roads on June 11 when the shooting happened.

The child was taken to a nearby hospital where the toddler later died, police said.

The child's father was not home, and the firearm was not registered or connected to him, police said.

"This was a tragic accident caused by an adult failing to properly secure a firearm that sadly made its way into the hands of a curious 2-year-old child," Howell police said. "We hope that this incident will help intensify the need to ensure that firearms are safely secured and out of the reach of children."

No further information was released.