The father of a Michigan toddler who accidentally shot herself earlier this month is facing criminal charges.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said that 44-year-old Michael Tolbert was arraigned last weekend on charges of first-degree child abuse, violating Michigan’s new safe storage of firearms law, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and lying to a police officer among other counts.
Tolbert’s 2-year-old daughter shot herself in the face on Valentine’s Day, police said, using his loaded handgun.
The bullet entered the toddler’s right eye and exited through her skull. She is still in critical condition.
Tolbert’s prosecution is the first criminal complaint filed under Michigan’s new “safe storage” laws that hold accountable residents who fail to properly store a gun from minors.
