Court Delayed For Dearborn Couple Charged In Toddler Shootings

DEARBORN, MI — A preliminary examination for a Dearborn couple charged with 20 counts of child abuse in connection with the Sept. 27 shootings of two toddlers in their unlicensed daycare has been pushed back. Timothy Eubanks and Samantha Eubanks were scheduled to appear in Dearborn’s 19th District Court Friday.

But the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday it had been adjourned until Jan. 19 because of scheduling conflicts with attorneys. The preliminary examination will decide if the cases against the couple will move on to Wayne County Circuit Court for trial.

Timothy Eubanks left his Dearborn home with two handguns unsecured in an upstairs bedroom, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in charging the couple. The prosecutor alleges that Samantha Eubanks also knew the handguns were there.

Samantha Eubanks was on the first floor of the home watching six children when the shooting occurred, Worthy said. The prosecutor said that one of Eubanks' 3-year-old sons went upstairs, found a gun in the bedroom and then shot one 3-year-old boy in the face and another 3-year-old in the shoulder.

Dearborn Police were called moments after the shootings. The injured children were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The boy shot in the shoulder has been released while the 3-year-old shot in the face remains hospitalized, Worthy said.

In addition to child abuse charges, Samantha Eubanks also faces two counts of felony firearm. Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is investigating Samantha and Tim Eubanks for running an unlicensed child care facility. Any actions against the Eubanks for running an unlicensed child care would be taken after LARA completes its own investigation.

File photo (Scott Daniel/Patch Staff)