SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - The mother of a 6-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with her handgun in Southwest Miami-Dade has been arrested, authorities said.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of Myeisha Sharie Smith, Wednesday morning. The 33-year-old faces a charge of child neglect with great bodily harm.
Smith appeared before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer Wednesday afternoon.
“Ma’am you are arrested for one count of child neglect,” said Glazer.
During the bond court appearance, Jamila Brown, the child’s father, also made an appearance to vouch for Smith.
“And you’re the child’s father? Sir, how’s your child doing?” said Glazer to Brown.
“He’s great,” said Brown.
“Is he still in the hospital?” asked a prosecutor.
“Yes, ma’am, but they say he’s doing everything. He’s jumping around, playing tough, eating ice cream. He’s perfect,” he said.
Brown then pleaded Smith’s case to the judge.
“This is an incident that has never happened before, and this was honestly a big mistake, like, she’s the perfect mom,” he said.
MDSO deputies and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units responded to reports of a child shot in the area of Southwest 172nd Street and 102nd Avenue in the West Perrine neighborhood, just before 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Investigators said Smith called 911, then drove her son to Jackson South Medical Center, so they were not home by the time first responders arrived at the scene.
According to the arrest report, Smith admitted to deputies that she had left her son alone in her bedroom, where her loaded gun was unattended.
At one point, investigators said, Smith heard a loud popping noise. She went into the bedroom to discover the boy had discharged the firearm, striking himself in the shoulder.
Rescue crews later airlifted the victim from Jackson South to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition and continues to recover.
“All he keep doing right now in the hospital is keep asking for his mom,” said Brown inside the courtroom.
7News spoke with the grandfather of the six-year-old, who said that his grandson is doing well and could be leaving the hospital by Thursday.
Back in West Perrine, investigators were seen gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses.
Neighbors were left puzzled by what happened.
“We were trying to figure out what was going on,” said Alexis Brown.
“I seen a bunch of police in front of my house,” said Alexandria Smith.
Inside the courtroom on Wednesday, the judge gave Smith a modified order to stay away from her son, where she can still have contact with him subject to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
“And as a provision of this, you’ll have to comply with [Florida Department of Children and Families] orders, Department of Children and Families orders, and as another condition, you can not use or possess firearms while this case is pending. So there cannot be any firearms in the home,” said Glazer. “Do you understand the modified stay away order?”
“Yes ma’am,” said Smith.
The judge said that Smith can complete a pre-trial diversion program or pay a $2,500 bond.
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