A police officer is facing jail in the US after their toddler pulled a loaded gun out at nursery.
The terrifying incident happened at Childrens World Early Learning Center in Canton, Detroit, on Monday.
Luckily, a quick-thinking member of staff saw the youngster pull it from a rucksack and disarmed them before anyone was hurt.
Canton Police Chief Joseph Bialy said it was ‘shocking’ to see CCTV footage of the toddler brandishing the gun.
He said one of the child’s parents is a police officer in the Detroit area but did not describe the gun involved as a work firearm.
Chief Bialy said he did not believe there was any ‘ill intent’ behind the incident but stressed the need to ensure guns are kept safe and out of children’s reach.
He said: ‘We have to understand where our firearms are, and we have a duty to make sure that we keep them secure.
‘The law is very clear. If a child is present or you anticipate a child being present, you have to take those precautions.’
Under Michigan law, firearms must be locked up at home when children are present.
The penalties depend on the facts of each case, but they are greatly enhanced if a gun is fired and someone is wounded or killed.
A man from Newaygo County is serving more than three years in prison after his 5-year-old grandson was fatally shot by another child who got access to a shotgun.
The daycare said in a statement: ‘We pride ourselves on being one of the safest centers in the Canton area. It is our priority.
‘Although this incident was out of our control, we are very proud of our staff and especially the teacher who responded so quickly.’
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