Florida State News by Evan Green, Southern States Bureau Chief
After a 7-year-old boy in her care was shot by his younger sibling, a caregiver in Florida has been arrested.
The 7-year-old was bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound when deputies responded to the medical emergency call in Southport. The deputy administered initial first aid to the child until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported him to a hospital.
When officers arrived, Kayla Tully, the babysitter, told deputies that she left a loaded 20-gauge shotgun at the back door while she investigated a dog barking at the front door.
The babysitter claimed to have dozed on the living room sofa until another child awakened her to tell her that the 7-year-old was shot. The woman claimed not to have heard a gunshot.
Tully also admitted to leaving a loaded firearm by the back door frequently.
During the incident, the sheriff's office reported that five children under 10 were in the home. Also responding was the Florida Department of Children and Families, however, it is unclear what happened to the children who lived in that home or the current condition of the child who was shot.
In addition, the sheriff's office made no reference to the relationship between Tully and the children, only saying she was the caregiver.
A child neglect charge, child cruelty charge, and a firearm misuse charge have been filed against Tully.
Could you sleep with 5 kids awake in the house?
Could you snooze through a shotgun blast?