Miami-Dade schools police officer charged after child shoots self with gun
HOMESTEAD -- A three-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital after shooting himself in the foot on Sunday, according to police.
Just before 2 p.m., police and paramedics were sent to a residence on SE 10th Street after getting word of the self-inflicted injury.
According to Homestead police, as the boy's mother, identified as Miami-Dade Schools Police Officer Stephanie Jerez, was preparing food he got a hold of her gun and accidentally shot himself. The gun involved was her personal weapon, not her county-issued service weapon.
The boy was rushed to Homestead Hospital for initial treatment. He was then airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for further medical care.
Jerez was arrested and has been charged with child neglect with great bodily harm.
"Detectives' investigative analysis determined that the firearm was in close proximity (arms reach) of the victim and unsecured with a round chambered," according to the arrest affidavit.
"As a mom, it breaks my heart that she has to go through this because it's her child, I just saw her the night before playing with him right outside. It's scary because, you know, it should be locked and put away," said neighbor Regina Morales.
She said, "You can never be too careful."
"I think we should all take a lesson from this. It doesn't matter, that even a police officer is still human and can make a mistake and that mistake can be deadly. Thankfully, it wasn't and the child is okay," said neighbor Carlos Barberena.
Another neighbor Daly Gonzalez shared a cell phone video with CBS News Miami's Peter D'Oench showing the police activity and said "It is scary because I have little kids. Be careful with guns."
During a court appearance on Monday, the judge ruled that Jerez is allowed to be with her son but there will be no unsecured guns in the home. Jerez is also not allowed to possess or use a firearm or ammunition unless she is at work. She cannot bring a weapon home if a child is present.
Her bond was set at $5,000.
A woman believed to be Jerez covered her face and had no comment as she left jail.
In a statement, the Miami-Dade school district said, "The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department has relieved the officer of duty pending the outcome of the investigation."
Homestead police urged gun owners to safely secure weapons and educate your families about gun safety and take a gun safety course.
This is just one of several incidents involving shootings and children in South Florida over the last six months.
Just last month, a 12-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the head at The Shores community in Homestead.
He too was rushed to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital where he was stable.
Days after that incident - a 10-year-old boy was shot in Pompano Beach.
In December, a three-year-old girl accidentally shot herself at a home near the 6900 block of West Sunrise Boulevard.
Just days later, a 10-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself in North Miami.
