A mom in Michigan faces felony charges after her young son got ahold of a gun. Daniellys Villegas-Moreno could get serious fines and even prison because her son shot himself. The boy’s injuries were not life-threatening, but that doesn’t matter. Michigan has very firm gun safety laws that require firearms to be securely locked when children are in a home. Because the child shot himself with an unsecured gun, the mother will face charges accordingly.
It’s nice to see a state take gun laws seriously. Even though the shooting wasn’t intentional, it sends an important message.
The Warren Police Department received a call from Henry Ford Warren Hospital on January 20, 2026, CBS News Detroit reported. Medical professionals were treating a 3-year-old boy for a gunshot wound in his hand. He was brought to the hospital by his mother, who was later identified as Villegas-Moreno.
Police said the boy found an unsecured semiautomatic handgun in his family’s home. He got off a single round, which hit his hand. No other injuries were reported.
“This is a heartbreaking incident that underscores the critical importance of secure firearm storage,” Warren Police Commissioner Eric Hawkins expressed in a statement shared by the outlet.
Investigators served a search warrant at the apartment, recovering the gun and additional evidence.
“While we are relieved the child is in stable condition, this tragedy was entirely preventable. We urge every gun owner to use gun locks and safes to ensure that weapons never fall into the hands of a child,” Hawkins added in the statement. “We will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly to ensure accountability and to protect the safety of our community’s children.”
ClickOnDetroit reported that Villegas-Moreno, 24, has been charged with “firearms- safe storage violation-premises under an individual’s control-minor present and injured self or another,” a five-year felony, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Villegas-Moreno was arraigned on January 27 and issued a $10,000 cash surety bond. Under her bond conditions, she cannot be in the presence of, use, or possess any firearms, the prosecution said. She also must wear a GPS tracker and isn’t allowed to leave the state.
“Michigan’s firearm safe storage statute is designed to reduce preventable deaths and injuries, including incidents of youth self-harm and gun-related violence,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said, per ClickOnDetroit. “My office has prioritized public awareness so residents understand their legal responsibilities. If a firearm is in a household where children could gain access, it must be stored in a locked container or fitted with a device that makes it unusable.”
Villegas-Moreno will next appear in court February 10 for a probable cause conference. Her preliminary examination is scheduled for February 17.
