Dearborn Couple Arraigned In Toddler Shooting Case

DEARBORN, MI — Timothy and Samantha Eubanks were arraigned Thursday on 20 counts of child abuse and felony firearm charges in connection with the Sept. 27 shootings of two toddlers in their unlicensed daycare.

Both were given $20,000/10 percent cash bonds by 19th District Court Judge Gene Hunt and will face probable cause hearings on Nov. 8 in the Dearborn courtroom. Each child abuse charge, six against Timothy Eubanks and 12 against Samantha Eubanks, is a felony and carries a 10 year prison term.

“This is a tremendous tragedy,” Hunt told Timothy Eubanks. “Although not intentional, was the result of a reckless disregard for the safety of these children.”

Timothy Eubanks left his Dearborn home with two handguns unsecured in an upstairs bedroom, Wayne County 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 a Thursday morning press conference, Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad said both boys will need long-term care and that while they are healing physically, the effects of the shooting will be felt for years.

“These types of injuries don’t just go away,” he said.

That the Eubanks 3-year-old allegedly knew how to fire the handgun was deeply disturbing to him, Haddad said. “Gun safety across America is of grave importance to me,” he said. “We have to be more accountable as a nation.”

In addition to child abuse charges, Samantha Eubanks also faces two counts of felony firearm. If the case against her and her husband moves forward after the probable cause hearing, a preliminary examination will be held at the Dearborn district court on Nov. 17.

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.

Photos by Scott Daniel/Patch Staff