Dad Shoots 13-Year-Old Daughter While Cleaning Gun: Authorities

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Stafford Township man faces charges after he shot his 13-year-old daughter in the torso while cleaning his gun, according to authorities.

Edgar Baerga, 47, was charged Saturday with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a minor, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced Sunday.

Officers responded around 2 p.m. Saturday to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford after receiving a 911 call about a girl shot in the right side of her torso, authorities said.

Baerga had been cleaning the gun at his home when it discharged and a round hit the girl, according to authorities, who said Baerga drove her to the hospital and then contacted police.

The girl was later moved to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she was in stable condition as of midday Sunday, authorities said.