(Newser) - In what a Michigan police chief refers to as "totally tragic" and "irresponsible," a loaded firearm was allegedly left in reach of children at an apparently unlicensed home day care in Dearborn, resulting in two children being shot Wednesday. Police say a toddler came upon the gun inside a bedroom and pulled the trigger, causing a bullet to pass through one 3-year-old boy before hitting another shortly after 10am, report WXYZ and WJBK. The boys were rushed to hospitals in critical condition, one with a gunshot wound to the face, the other with a wound to a shoulder, per CBS Detroit. Reports suggest one or both boys were in either stable or serious condition as of Wednesday night.
The sister of the homeowner tells Detroit News that Samantha Eubanks, 31, looked after several children of "friends and family but mostly family" at the home. It's unclear what evidence was taken from the house, though ClickonDetroit.com notes it appeared officers removed hunting rifle cases. Cops say Eubanks' husband is a hunter. Eubanks, however, "totally hates guns" and wouldn't allow them in her home, her sister tells the Detroit News. "This would be her worst nightmare." Dearborn police are still investigating and are expected to soon hand over the case to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, which could bring charges. Meanwhile, "we're going to pray these two young kids are going to be OK," says Police Chief Ron Haddad. (A 4-year-old died last week after she went looking for candy but found a gun.)
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