What do you guys think? Big story in my area

This is a true tragedy- here in Valdosta a three year old accidentally shot himself in the neck this week and died. Here are the specs of the case:

-The boy's mother is a cleaning lady. She allowed him to roam throughout the home while she was cleaning. He found the gun and shot himself. She regularly took her other two children ages 7 and 10

-The owner of the gun was not home. His gun was on his bedside table- no safety. Evidently the maid had access to the home while the occupants weren't there.

-The gun was a Taurus 45.

Here's the link to the story:
http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/homepage/local_story_198224802.html

Now there is talk of charging both with reckless conduct resulting in the death of a child as per news report last night. What do you guys think? What if he had a dog in his room instead of a gun and the child had been bit? Obviously if he knew she was coming he should have put the gun away- but the reports said this was the first time she brought her 3 year old along. He probably didn't know she even had a toddler. Should he be charged too? I know the guy personally and I can't be completely objective. I am not so sure I think he should be-but I am biased.

 

IMO, no he shouldn't be charged. He had his gun in his house. If someone needs to be charged, it's the mother. Who brings their toddler to run around someone else's house while she is cleaning? It's her working place and a child shouldn't be there, no matter the age. I know I'd hate to be charged with someone being killed in my house when I wasn't even involved. What if he (toddler) took a knife out of a drawer and stabbed himself? Would the owner of the knife be getting charged? A weapon is a weapon is a weapon.

 

I don't think either should be charged. The guy has a right to leave his gun wherever he wants and more than likely he had no idea a small child would be wondering around his house (let alone his bedroom). The mom (although she should not have let the child roam) surely had no idea the gun was there, she will have to live with that the rest of her life. If the gun was at her house, maybe a different story.

 

I'm inclined to agree...a weapon is a weapon. I do feel the mother bears the burden though- take the gun out of it for instance- how would you feel if you came home and the cleaning lady's son was rumbling through your drawers? I do feel horrible for the woman, but she certainly bears the burden IMO. Sad story.

 

Hell no he shouldn't be charged. My question is why is she taking her kids to work with her and letting them roam around someone elses house unsupervised? If it was me and I found out someone was doing that I would fire them.

 

My thoughts exactly!!!

 

this is a truly tragic accident! i do not feel however the owner of the house should be charged. i really don't know the law, kinda like some moron falls at your house outside who's not supposed to be there and now you're getting sued. the mother seems to be the one who would be guilty if any IMO.

 

That is so sad,but the homeowner should not be blamed for it why wasnt someone watching him?Something similar just happened here.A two year old boy was outside WITH his father and the idiot let the boy run off,he was gone TWO HOURS before they noticed!And the cops found him only two blocks away in the river his parents arent getting charged with anything.They must not have looked too hard for him since he aws only two blocks away and wouldnt the river be the first place you look?People these days seem to rely on everyone else to watchout for the safety of their children.If the kid next door falls in your pool ,its you fault for having a pool ,not the parents fault for not watching their kids.Just rediculous,I do not have kids,therefor I dont feel that it's my responsabilitie to make sure my house is safe for someone elses kid.if i want to leave a loaded gun on my nightstand I have that right.That is just ludacris.

 

I agree with WWII. No way should that man be charged with anything!

 

IMO, "Mom" deserves to be charged with at LEAST negligence. She, by her own free will, entered that property, along with her children. as a responsible parent, especially with a child of that age: should've scoped out that residence, yes EVERY room, if the child was allowed to roam freely, PRIOR to letting the child enter it, simply due to reasons of this nature. SHE was irresponsible/negligent. the home owner probably should've put the gun away, but it was his gun AND his home and unless a law so states, he had the right to put it in a place of his choosing.
just my .02

 

The home owner should not be charged. Sad situation for all.