CHARLOTTE — The mother of a 3-year-old boy who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound last month has been charged, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
On Feb. 21, police were called to an apartment in Wendover Gardens. At the scene, police learned the boy had gotten a hold of an unsecured handgun and shot himself.
The toddler was taken to an area hospital where he died, police said.
Police said the mother of the child, 31-year-old Candise Griffin, was charged with involuntary manslaughter hours after the incident.
According to the affidavit for the case, Griffin said she was in her bedroom with her son while on the phone with her sister. She said her son started playing with pillows on the bed and she turned her back to him for what she thought was 30 seconds. Griffin said that was when she heard a gunshot and turned around to see her son laying on the floor shot and her gun next to him.
In the affidavit, Griffin told police she kept the gun in a drawer next to the bed underneath several other items.
On Tuesday, Griffin turned herself in to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. She is expected to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
Police said the investigation into this case is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a detective.
VIDEO: 3-year-old boy dies from self-inflicted gunshot wound, CMPD says
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